I'm new to inboard diesels and have been noticing that there are "sweet spots" in the RPM band and rough spots at certain RPM's that you don't want to run at. At right about 1900 RPMs, I get a squeeking sound like metal on metal or a drill going through hard wood. It only occures at that 1900 RPM under load. Anyone experience anything like this? or know what it could possibly be. I have also heard different theories about what gear to leave the tranmission in while sailing. I don't like the prop turning while I'm sailing, so I put it in reverse. I read that Yanmar wants it in neutral. Something about getting it jammed in reverse and having to start the engine in gear. Mine has no neutral safty switch, so not a problem for me if need be but I don't want to cause damage to the transmission if that's the case. If I leave it in neutral, I can hear it and feel vibrations and that doesn't seem good either. With all the complications I have been reading about diesel engines, if this one ever fails, I thnk I'll just put a 20hp outboard on the stern with electric tilt. That will solve all the problems of contaminated fuel, air in the fuel, spinning prop shafts, messy fuel and oil changes, propwalk, leaky prop shafts, diesel smell, complicated winterizing, opening and closing seacocks,etc... I always wished I had an inboard diesel... be careful what you wish for!
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Hi Jeff, depending upon how many hours on...
your engine and regular servicing most Yanmars can exceed 10,000 hours before rebuild. When it comes to that time and you still have the boat, a rebuild might become a better choice because of its resale value. Moreover, outboard fuel consumption is much higher per hour (two to three times) than an inboard diesel. Reliability is another factor. Our 16 year old Yanmar always starts and never misses. Our sailing friend has a three year old Honda four cycle pushing his Cal 27. During our two month cruise this past season he experienced contamination in the fuel, his prop and shaft spins just like ours, he changes oil at regular intervals and every morning he seemed to spend at least fifteen minutes tweaking this and that with his motor before heading out. Be careful with which problems you're trying to solve. BTW, I always sail with the tranny in neutral. Terry
your engine and regular servicing most Yanmars can exceed 10,000 hours before rebuild. When it comes to that time and you still have the boat, a rebuild might become a better choice because of its resale value. Moreover, outboard fuel consumption is much higher per hour (two to three times) than an inboard diesel. Reliability is another factor. Our 16 year old Yanmar always starts and never misses. Our sailing friend has a three year old Honda four cycle pushing his Cal 27. During our two month cruise this past season he experienced contamination in the fuel, his prop and shaft spins just like ours, he changes oil at regular intervals and every morning he seemed to spend at least fifteen minutes tweaking this and that with his motor before heading out. Be careful with which problems you're trying to solve. BTW, I always sail with the tranny in neutral. Terry
Have to take the bad with the good
Sweet spots yes, sqeeking sounds no. Diesel engines are pretty simple, no electronic ignitions, no spark plugs, safe fuel and less fuel consumption. Neutral or reverse? Flip a coin as Yanmar transmissions can withstand both. To prevent reverse lock it is recommended you slow the boat down to approximately 1 Knot before shifting out of reverse gear. I let my prop freewheel and the only problem I have experienced is snagging the line of a crab pot at night. You can install an outboard and experience the variety of other complications; Cavitation, stern squat, fuel contamination, frequent oil changes, routing of fuel lines, control cables and electrical connections. I high seas I would prefer to work on my diesel inside the cabin rather than hanging out the transom. Wish your diesel won't fail.
Sweet spots yes, sqeeking sounds no. Diesel engines are pretty simple, no electronic ignitions, no spark plugs, safe fuel and less fuel consumption. Neutral or reverse? Flip a coin as Yanmar transmissions can withstand both. To prevent reverse lock it is recommended you slow the boat down to approximately 1 Knot before shifting out of reverse gear. I let my prop freewheel and the only problem I have experienced is snagging the line of a crab pot at night. You can install an outboard and experience the variety of other complications; Cavitation, stern squat, fuel contamination, frequent oil changes, routing of fuel lines, control cables and electrical connections. I high seas I would prefer to work on my diesel inside the cabin rather than hanging out the transom. Wish your diesel won't fail.
Hey Terry
Hmmm... your friend must have a very old honda 4 stroke. They started making them in the 60's? I have a Johnson 2 stroke outboard that I have had since 1993 and NEVER done anything to it. And it always starts no problem. I've had it on three different sailboats. Never had to change oil, no water pump impeller, fuel filter, no winterizing.... I've spent more hours on this Yanmar diesel in the first week of owning it then I have spent on all the outboards I have ever owned! And this Yanmar just turned 45 hours on it. I tilt the outboard up so that it doesn't even touch the water while underway, how come your friend has to drag his on the Cal? As far as fuel economy, I ran it on 6 gallons all summer. Of course I don't go on extended cruises and run the engine just enough to get away from the dock and back in to it which would not be good on a diesel engine. How come you leave yours in neutral under sail ? Isn't it more drag and wear on the shaft bearing etc.??
Hmmm... your friend must have a very old honda 4 stroke. They started making them in the 60's? I have a Johnson 2 stroke outboard that I have had since 1993 and NEVER done anything to it. And it always starts no problem. I've had it on three different sailboats. Never had to change oil, no water pump impeller, fuel filter, no winterizing.... I've spent more hours on this Yanmar diesel in the first week of owning it then I have spent on all the outboards I have ever owned! And this Yanmar just turned 45 hours on it. I tilt the outboard up so that it doesn't even touch the water while underway, how come your friend has to drag his on the Cal? As far as fuel economy, I ran it on 6 gallons all summer. Of course I don't go on extended cruises and run the engine just enough to get away from the dock and back in to it which would not be good on a diesel engine. How come you leave yours in neutral under sail ? Isn't it more drag and wear on the shaft bearing etc.??
Benny
Yep you are right, have to take the good with the bad, but I'm finding more bad with the diesel so far. You have a good point about cavitation has been annoying sometimes. Working on an outboard hanging over the stern in high seas would be a drag but I think you are more likely to HAVE to work on a diesel in high seas. I have heard stories about sucking air in the fuel line and clogging fuel filters at the worst time. I got caught in a bad storm on Lk Michigan where the jib sheet got under the boat and fouled the prop. I surfed before 7 foot waves while we were able to tilt up the outboard and free the prop and continue on. Couldn't do that with an inboard. As far as routing fuel line (only one on outboard), electrical and control cables... just one hole in the stern solved that. Stern squat? I think I have that with the diesel inboard because the 18 gal diesel tank is mounted all the way back, plus there's a water tank and hot water heater towards the stern too. Thanks for the advice about slowing to 1 knot before shifting out of reverse. How come you leave yours in neutral ?
Yep you are right, have to take the good with the bad, but I'm finding more bad with the diesel so far. You have a good point about cavitation has been annoying sometimes. Working on an outboard hanging over the stern in high seas would be a drag but I think you are more likely to HAVE to work on a diesel in high seas. I have heard stories about sucking air in the fuel line and clogging fuel filters at the worst time. I got caught in a bad storm on Lk Michigan where the jib sheet got under the boat and fouled the prop. I surfed before 7 foot waves while we were able to tilt up the outboard and free the prop and continue on. Couldn't do that with an inboard. As far as routing fuel line (only one on outboard), electrical and control cables... just one hole in the stern solved that. Stern squat? I think I have that with the diesel inboard because the 18 gal diesel tank is mounted all the way back, plus there's a water tank and hot water heater towards the stern too. Thanks for the advice about slowing to 1 knot before shifting out of reverse. How come you leave yours in neutral ?
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