New Engine??

[Uno Mast]

My Beneteau First 285 has a Volvo Penta 18hp inboard diesel that has given me nothing but problems. The boat is out of commission way more than in commission due to engine problems. I stay on top of all problems but the damn engine is always one of them. Looking into the idea of replacing the whole engine; does anyone have any clue what that would cost or if there is a new engine that will fit in that boat and have the power to move her? Any info would be really helpful. Thanks

Also, has anyone removed their engine to send in to have it remanufactured? If so, what does it cost approx. to have that done?

 

[Steve Dion]

New Yanmar. About $15k

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

My Beneteau First 285 has a Volvo Penta 18hp inboard diesel that has given me nothing but problems. The boat is out of commission way more than in commission due to engine problems.

Just out of curiosity, would you care to share some of the problems you've had with your Volvo ? I know I've been spoiled rotten by our Yanmar 2GM20F but it piques my curiosity to know just what problems your engine has had such that you're considering chucking it.

 

[alexco38]

Just out of curiosity, would you care to share some of the problems you've had with your Volvo ? I know I've been spoiled rotten by our Yanmar 2GM20F but it piques my curiosity to know just what problems your engine has had such that you're considering chucking it.

Quantify you problem with Volvo, not just hear says. My Volvo 2002 18 hp since 1985 has been great, touch wood.

Maintenance has a lot to do with it.

 

[Uno Mast]

Yikes!

!

New Yanmar. About $15k

 

[Uno Mast]

It's mainly overheating issues. It seems like it's almost every other time that I go out, the engine gives the beep sound to warn of overheating. The heat exchange would sometimes move just enough to break the seal where it connects so that was an issue on multiple occasions. Several times we would re-attach that but we've since used a spring to hold it in place a little better but, now again still overheating without breaking the seal from the heat exchange to the engine. I had no idea the engines would cost that much new, so I'm going to try to get a local diesel mechanic I've met to take a look at it. If he can't come up with a good solution there's a guy that is a Volvo licensed mechanic in my state that I can bring up. He charges an arm and a leg so I've been putting that off.

Just out of curiosity, would you care to share some of the problems you've had with your Volvo ? I know I've been spoiled rotten by our Yanmar 2GM20F but it piques my curiosity to know just what problems your engine has had such that you're considering chucking it.

 

[redhead78]

The older volvos had some overheating problems due to blockages. Is this raw water cooled, or did u mention a heat exchanger? I would start with a complete flush of the block and exchanger if you have one and a thermostadt. How is the exhaust discharge, how about the impeller, check it also. These 3 things are a good start b-4 you start throwing a lot of money at it.Red

 

[Uno Mast]

The older volvos had some overheating problems due to blockages. Is this raw water cooled, or did u mention a heat exchanger? I would start with a complete flush of the block and exchanger if you have one and a thermostadt. How is the exhaust discharge, how about the impeller, check it also. These 3 things are a good start b-4 you start throwing a lot of money at it.Red

Wow, thanks a lot! I'll pass all this on to the mechanic.

 

[redhead78]

Oh, that I thought you could try, he should be on same page with these checks. Have you any mech apptitude, you may be able to do yourself with a mate? Red

 

[Ukeluthier]

Another zero-to-low-cost suggestion: Take the cover off the raw water pump to see if the impeller is missing any vanes. If it is, take the cover off the heat exchanger to see if they are lodged there, blocking it up, and replace the impeller while you are at it.

Regular checks and frequent replacement of the impeller are necessary routine maintenance on any marine Diesel.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I would guess that you could power your boat with a smaller engine. I installed a new Yanmar 2YM15 for about $10 K. Engine and gear from a dealer was about $7,500. It moves my 5,700 pound boat very well on our lake, easily making 6.7 knots at 3,200 rpm, which is comfortable. At WOT, she will push 7 knots in smooth water.

My footprint was easy to adapt even though I had to expand 2 inches in length from the old 1GM. If you downsize, you would have less weight and more room in your engine compartment. I suspect that you would not miss any performance but 3 cylinders is possibly smoother than 2. Nothing shakes like the old 1 cylinder that I had!

 

[Uno Mast]

I would guess that you could power your boat with a smaller engine. I installed a new Yanmar 2YM15 for about $10 K. Engine and gear from a dealer was about $7,500. It moves my 5,700 pound boat very well on our lake, easily making 6.7 knots at 3,200 rpm, which is comfortable. At WOT, she will push 7 knots in smooth water.

My footprint was easy to adapt even though I had to expand 2 inches in length from the old 1GM. If you downsize, you would have less weight and more room in your engine compartment. I suspect that you would not miss any performance but 3 cylinders is possibly smoother than 2. Nothing shakes like the old 1 cylinder that I had!

It's a good thought but, that's about 50% of my boat's value. That's hard to stomach. Tempting still

 

[Uno Mast]

Another zero-to-low-cost suggestion: Take the cover off the raw water pump to see if the impeller is missing any vanes. If it is, take the cover off the heat exchanger to see if they are lodged there, blocking it up, and replace the impeller while you are at it.

Regular checks and frequent replacement of the impeller are necessary routine maintenance on any marine Diesel.

Thanks for that info, I'll put it to use!

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Yes,

It's a good thought but, that's about 50% of my boat's value. That's hard to stomach. Tempting still

There is always that reality. Also, there is very little value gained by putting a new engine in the boat. I went into it with my eyes wide open, opening the wallet with my heart, not my brain.

 

[Uno Mast]

Great news everyone. All this time the engine has been overheating wasn't due to any bad parts or anything like that. It was clogged up near the thermostat so the thermostat never knew that the engine was hearing up so, the raw water pump never got activated. That's how I understand it anyway. Taking her out for a sail this weekend. With all the engine down time I was able to get everything caught up that needed to be done so, I'm happy to say the boat is officially ready for the season. Cheers!

Thanks for the tips!