Volvo-Penta

[maldon]

Rather than post this on a yachty forum (and generally be made to look a complete ar$e) I thought the friendly lads here would give me a few pointers.

I am looking at a yacht - it has been laid up for five years, it is tatty and I can get it for a song.

I don't think the Owner did much by way of pre-layup measures to the engine - 2 cyl Volvo-Penta 28hp - I don't have model number. My FIL want abord yesterday and reckons it is not really that bad. The engione, from his photo's looks in better shape than the BUkh we had on a previous boat.

Anyway, I just wondered if there are any complete no-no's as far as (attempting) to start the engine / what are musts before I even attempt.

I guess the batterys are shot - it can be hand cranked but.......

My plan was to drain the fuel filters and slowly turn the engine over by hand with the decompressors, err decrompressed.

If I can get it to run would give it a minute or so just to see. Then wopuld be reeplacement all fuel / filters, engine oil, gearbox oil, charge the sterntube with new grease etc.

Other thoughts would be highly appreciated.

 

[dava]

I'm assuming it's a petrol, if it is take the plugs out and spray WD40 down them prior to turning it by hand. If it's derv, then take the air cleaner off and spray it into the manifold so it's got some form of upper lubricant. Chances are the valves will have stuck, as at least one valve will have been open for this time and probably rusted either to the seat or on the stem and when you turn it over it may lock. If it does keep getting WD down it and SLOWLY rock it back and forward to try and free the valve. If it still locks, heads off I'm afraid.

 

[television]

These guys look human.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070119093428AAAcSCo

Try and not buy any spare parts, as you will have to sell the MB to pay for it.

years ago a fuel filler cap was £78.


Malcolm

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

You're probably very wise to be cautious about mentioning that you are considering buying a boat with a vilevo engine on a yotty forum!

I should think that provided the boat has been kept reasonably dry inside you shouldn't have any problems. Main thing is to get it turning over and get some oil circulating. Then fire it up. And if it turns out to be knackered just think of it as a bonus: you can re-engine with something a bit better!

 

[maldon]

The engine is diesel.

It does look dry below - the bilgers are all dry so.......

Yes, Malcolm, I'd overlooked the cost of VP spares, I know they were silly a few years ago........ If the engine is blown, I'd be very happy to pick up a used Bukh 20, although the boat probably weighs a huge amount more than our previous 28 footer.

Cheers Dava - good thinking -i'm going to try and get someone down there tomorrow morning get a good old spray of WD40 through the intake.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I'm assuming it's a petrol

PMSL............

 

[slim_boy_fat]

The engine is diesel.

It does look dry below - the bilgers are all dry so.......

Yes, Malcolm, I'd overlooked the cost of VP spares, I know they were silly a few years ago........ If the engine is blown, I'd be very happy to pick up a used Bukh 20, although the boat probably weighs a huge amount more than our previous 28 footer.

Cheers Dava - good thinking -i'm going to try and get someone down there tomorrow morning get a good old spray of WD40 through the intake.

Seriously if you are worried about the price of a few spares for a yacht engine you are taking up the wrong hobby!!

Depending on how the boat was laid up you should probably be ok with it, inspect the cooling system, sea water intake for corrosion, even s/s corrodes.

If you are serious you should probably get a local VP mechanic to give it the once over. Prob cost £100, but could be well worth it in the long run.

These engines are generally pretty relable, but depeds on the previous owner, was he a true sailor, i.e. considered the engine a backup? It might not have that many hours on it.

 

[maldon]

SBF

We know the boat - FIL and the wife (when she was a kid) sailed it to Holland 2-3 times. The Owner just left it up to FIL to do all the necessary stuff in the yard.

The Owner passed it on to his daughter, she used it for two seasons and then moved away. Yesterday I found out that the yard fee's had not been paid for three years - from what I can see from some pics the FIL took, the engine looks OK but seems no prep for an extended layup (even over wintering) was done by the Owner / yard.

We are having an engineer look at the lump on Saturday.

The last boat we had, I managed to buy, do up use it for three years - it was sold for a couple of grand profit taking into account repairs running and mooring costs. I'm a bit tainted by that experience......

 

[slim_boy_fat]

The last boat we had, I managed to buy, do up use it for three years - it was sold for a couple of grand profit taking into account repairs running and mooring costs. I'm a bit tainted by that experience......

Go for it, thats the best way, but rarely happens.

If the hull is generally sound and you get it at a good price, mighteven be worth sticking a new lump in it, especially if your %age of motor saling is high.

Good luck.