Yanmar 4JH4AE catastrophic breakdown experience

[ducatista]

Towards the end of last sailing season, the Yanmar 4JH4AE diesel engine (with less than 130 hours) on my 2010 Beneteau 43, lost a valve seat and a valve dropped into the piston and the resulting mayhem cracked the block.

My insurance company, Seaworthy, sent a surveyor who determined that the engine was a complete loss due to "mechanical failure." Yanmar, through Mack Boring, says that the engine is out of warranty by over 1.5 years, and the extended warranty does not cover valves.

Now, I have a useless engine on a practically new sailboat with no recourse but to repower at my own expense--which is over $16,000. Before you purchase a boat, I urge you to consider my experience and make an educated decision based on how companies support (or, do not support) their products.

 

[FastOlson]

Yikes!

I have a friend that purchased a much older sail boat with a four cylinder Universal diesel. Separate engine survey, and it passed with no problem.

Within a couple of months it had a catastrophic failure (rod thrown, IIRC) and his insurance co paid for a new engine, which turned out to be about half the total cost of the repower.

I guess that it pays to research your policy verrrrry carefully and to have a good insurance co.
I am surprised that this loss was not at least partially covered. (Unless there was some actual proof that the engine had not been properly maintained.)

Best of luck,
Loren

ps: check into the Betamarine, if repowering from scratch. Long warranty and good rep.

 

[Rick D]

Wait A Moment...

Towards the end of last sailing season, the Yanmar 4JH4AE diesel engine (with less than 130 hours) on my 2010 Beneteau 43, lost a valve seat and a valve dropped into the piston and the resulting mayhem cracked the block.

My insurance company, Seaworthy, sent a surveyor who determined that the engine was a complete loss due to "mechanical failure." Yanmar, through Mack Boring, says that the engine is out of warranty by over 1.5 years, and the extended warranty does not cover valves.

Now, I have a useless engine on a practically new sailboat with no recourse but to repower at my own expense--which is over $16,000. Before you purchase a boat, I urge you to consider my experience and make an educated decision based on how companies support (or, do not support) their products.

Having traveled this path before, let me offer a suggestion. First, hang on to all the parts and have them isolated in a secure place. If the insurer has them, ask for them back. Second, go back to your insurer and tell them that you understand the valve and seat won't be covered since they were the mechanical failure, but that the rest of the resulting (i.e. "consequential loss") engine damage should be covered. See what they say and be sure to request a response in writing. Third, if not satisfied, have your own inspection, preferably by a laboratory who will create a written report, to determine the cause. After this, consider consulting with an attorney to determine whom to go after. After thorough documentation by the lab (or other expert), you can proceed to replace/repair as you see fit so you can have your boat while all the rest is playing out. While the engine may have been out of warranty, there is nonetheless an expectation it will perform the task it was designed and sold for and with 150 hours, it would be hard to maintain this did. 16k is a lot of money to walk away from without exploring all your avenues. Also, with as new an engine as yours, a new block and head (if necessary) still might be a good deal less than a new engine. Don't assume it isn't repairable. Oh, and good luck!

 

[reworb]

My engine suffered a broken crank shaft with only 150 hours and was long out of warranty. I wrote a letter to the President of Yanmar America. Yanmar provided significant financial help in rebuilding my engine ( they provided all the parts free of charge). Don't be satisfied with what any of the lower level employees say, they want to stonewall you, upper management does not take that tack. Upper management was very concerned about Yanmar's products and reputation and agreed with me that things like mine ( and yours ) do not happen to their quality product with such few hours.

Again send an overnight letter to the President of Yanmar America and politely explain your problem.

 

[Herrick18911]

The same principle applied to me when my Chevy HHR's engine blew a rod a few thousand miles past the end of the warrantee. The dealer was only able to offer me $1,000 off a new motor but when I called GM Corporate in Detroit and after haggling a bit, I said that if they were to give me a new motor gratis, I would pay the dealer to install. They did this and the final bill came to less than $800, rather than the thousands it would otherwise cost. My point is, the dealers don't have the authority to make that kind of decision. Corporate does. If you contact them directly and are open to creative deals, many times you will come out ahead. Corporate does NOT want bad press.

Good luck!

Tod

 

[Bill Roosa]

I've never heard of a dropped valve cracking a block. Punch a hole in the piston sure but not a cracked block. The very first thing I'd do is get a second opinion. You may just need a new piston and valve/valve guide.