How long can engine go without use?

[Gin]

I recently read this post with interest: http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3186&p=23345&hilit=farm#p23345

One of our concerns with getting a boat right now, as opposed to a year or two from now, is the classic one of: Do we have enough time to use and enjoy it? The post above discusses how diesels can go for extended time without use, although it is best to change the oil if they are going to sit for long period, like a full winter (and winterize if the temps will be below freezing). Our last boat had an outboard engine. We tried to make sure that, if it wasn't fogged and otherwise prep'd for a long period of inactivity, we made sure we got to the boat to run it every few weeks, or a month or so at the most. The engine served us well throughout the time we had it.

What is a reasonable length of inactivity for the diesel inboards on the Ranger Tugs, without worrying about making sure the oil is freshly changed or taking other steps for a longer off-season of inactivity?

Hope my question make sense. Thanks!

Gini

 

[walt2]

The Yanmar manual for the 4BY2-150 in the 25SC states " the engine can normally stand idle for up to six months. If it remains unused for longer than this, please contact your authorized Yanmar marine dealer or distributor."

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

We recently cranked up my inlaws' 25 hp Evinrude after sitting since Hurricane Ivan. The boat and the trailer floated in their yard through the storm but the boat was undamaged. The trailer was worse for the wear but it is ok now. Anyway the motor had not run since 2004. We cleaned the carb and it started on the second try, smoked a bit and then evened out and it is runnig great. Does that mean you can do that to a Yanmar? I don't think so. The Mase generator manual says to run it at least every 30 days. It has a Yanmar one lunger. I think six months is a pretty long time to let an engine sit. I would expect a bit more wear on the rings and bearings. Fix a cooling water hose connection so you can crank her on the trailer and give her the exercise she needs.

Pat and Carolyn, Ladybig, Too

 

[Gin]

We are likely to get a new Ranger, if we take the plunge this year. Which means a Volvo Penta instead of a Yanmar, but I would think the two would be similar on this score. Last night, I found the Volvo Penta owner's manual on line. It said that if the boat is to stay in the water but not be used, the engine should be "warmed up" at least every "fortnight" (what a charming way to say every two weeks, and I had to look it up to be sure I was right that it was the fourteenth night). Then it said, if it is to sit unused for two months or more, it must be laid up for short term storage. So far, I haven't found a specific section on short term storage (it's a long manual), but there is the advice I would expect about changing oil, winterizing the cooling system, etc.

The upshot of all that seems to be that it is best to warm it up every couple of weeks, but in all events, it needs to be used at least every two months at a minimum or it should be prepared for short term storage. I'm wondering how that compares to real world practice and experience for folks. (Of course, daily or weekly use off a dock of our own from a charming beach house on any one of a number of islands in the Puget Sound would be ideal -- but that's not going to be our reality, so we have to plan for longer periods of nonuse, at least from time to time).

Oh, and we don't expect to get a trailer. So running it on the hard won't be much of an issue, or an option for that matter.

Gini

 

[NewMoon]

Can't speak to how it might be different with a boat kept on the water, but our Volvo KAD44P diesel has sat untouched in its garage for 15 winters, with no problems. That would be 5-6 months here in northern Utah. We've put 5100 hours on it so far, and it runs like a top.

In the fall I change engine oil and filter, run pink antifreeze through the engine until it shows pink coming out with the exhaust, loosen the belts, and remove the seawater impeller so it doesn't take a set (I usually put a new one in in the spring anyway). That's all it takes to keep the engine in good shape through the winter. In the spring I tighten up the belts, put in an impeller, and the engine is ready to go.

 

[Gin]

I'll need an education about winterizing while keeping the boat on the water. Haven't had a boat with hot-cold water, plumbed head, or an inboard before. Much to learn.

Here in the PNW, we have the advantage of being able to use boats through most or all of the winter, at least something like a Ranger Tug, with good cabin protection and heat. And that year round use is why the question arises. It is easy to have good intentions to head back to the boat (we expect it to be about an hour away) for a day's outing within a week or two, and find that weather is unpleasant and life is ever-busy, so that before you know it, that week or two becomes several weeks, maybe even a a month or more in the off-season.

I'm thinking through these questions to try to determine how much pressure I would feel to get to the boat if she has sat for more than two or three weeks. Still not sure. Of course, if the weather is the issue and winterizing is called for, that elevates the urgency, and I'd make sure to get to the boat to take care of that. It's those times when it doesn't seem urgent and other pieces of life keep intervening that causes the time to slip by faster than you realize.

Appreciate all the insight and experience. If others have thoughts, keep chiming in. Thanks.

Gini

 

[knotflying]

Gin,
I think you may have hit the nail on the head with your original post. The question is not how long can a diesel engine be laid up, but do you want to put a lot of money into something that you won't use much. If you figure out the carrying costs and the approximate hours you will be using it you may get your answer quickly. Renting when you want to take a cruise may be the answer for now with ownership when time and use are more plentiful. Of course we would love to have you join the Ranger family, but we would hate to loose you because you aren't getting enough use out of your tug.

Regards,
Mike Rizzo

 

[Gin]

Mike, yes, exactly. If it weren't for the time factor, this would be a relatively easy decision for us. So often you can only figure these things out so far. Beyond that, you have to decide whether to take the leap or wait, and hope that the decision proves to be the right one. The balance for us is trying to be sensible, but open to life's opportunities at the same time. Can't complain -- it's a better dilemma to have than if we weren't in a position to consider getting a boat at all!

Gini

 

[Irish Mist]

I did quite a bit of reading before I bought my boat, about diesels, long story short they like to run and work. They last forever in construction equipment where they are run every day at a steady rpm. In trucks same thing lots of hours.. When I was shopping I found on average rebuilds in boats around 2500 - 3500 hours. I also saw older ones with over double that, seems the more HP you get out of displacement the shorter the life span ( smaller engine working harder to make more HP ) I am hoping for a long life but will start thinking after 2500 hours I will be needing a rebuild. With my normal season being 200 hrs that will be about 10 years. There are lots and lots of diesels put away for the winter. If you are a normal boater you should put on about 50 hr per season ( tuggers are not normal boaters and tend to put on more hours from what I have seen ) Boating is not inexpensive. I think I have done my homework and have the most cost efficient boat for it's size. I would suggest looking up rebuild costs on the size engine you are looking at and do the math. There will be lots of expenses with what ever boat you get, but it is a great experience and a fantastic live style. Just make sure you jump in at a level you can afford. If you keep a boat for a long time at some point you will probably need some engine work. Take care of it and it should give you a long life.

 

[Gin]

Interesting and helpful stats, Irish Mist. Thanks for posting!
- Gini

 

[RonGinger]

I have a bit of a horror story. I bought a 2001 21 2 years ago. The seller told me it had been stored for 3 years due to health reasons, then he decided to sell. He said the engine was 'hard to turn over' so they replaced the batteries, then it would turn but not start. From the way he described things I assumed he didn't know much about engines, so I took a chance and bought the boat.

After getting it home I found it could be made to start by opening a couple compression releases, but it didn't run well, and was blowing a lot of oil out the air intake.

I pulled the engine and took it to Mack Boring (the Yanmar distributor for the NE). It turns out the bottom of the cylinders were badly rusted, the lower rings seized and broke when the new batter cranked the engine over. It took a total overhaul to repair, about $3500.

I do not know the storage conditions, or if things like oil change before storage were done. But it is proof you can ruin an engine by improper storage.

In the end I wound up with an essentially new engine, and I love the boat, so I just stop thinking about the cost and enjoy it.

 

[Irish Mist]

Sounds like the boat sunk? I'm surprised the crank wasn't showing signs of rust too.. I'm pretty sure that letting it set would not cause the bottom of the pistons to rust like that.. But stranger things have happened Glad it all worked out and getting it fixed at that price knowing it has all been checked out is worth that for piece of mind...