pre-purchase engine inspection

[bcarli]

Hi
we have a signed contract on a new to us boat with the haul-out, survey, and sea trial set for the end of this month. The surveyor asked me if I was going to get an engine inspection? In all the boats we have ever bought I have not hired an engine inspection. What I do do is have an engine oil analyst done and then just see how the engines start and behave from a cold start.
So I am wondering if other's think it is worth the expense to have a pre-purchase engine inspection done? We are in the Seattle area so if anybody could recommend a company or person to do the inspection that would be helpful if we decide to go that way.

The engine is a Luger L668D2 with 5000 hours. Also there is a"get home engine" Yanmar 27HP
thanks

 

[Nick F]

Subscribing to this thread to follow it.
I am very much of the same mind as the OP. I had a quote recently for doing this in Vancouver. I thought the quote high (CAD800?) and was told that it included review of all controls and other peripheral stuff as well (things that I can asses and which would not be expensive anyhow). I, like you I think, am interested in the "guts" of the engine - whether it needs a rebuild or not.

Nick

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. bc. Although an engine inspection seems to be a fairly common step in a purchase, personally I would not allow anything other than an oil analysis and non invasive testing on OUR equipment.

I've had my fill of inept wrench wrestlers on board and I trust very few of them. Our engines are running well and I'm not willing to chance some oaf screwing them up and jeopardizing a sale or much worse, creating a ticking time bomb for the new owner.

 

[fgarriso]

https://stevedmarineconsulting.com/sample-inspection-reports/

 

[Comodave]

I would since a diesel is a huge expense. On the boat we bought last summer I called Cummins and asked for a technician to do a purchase survey on the 450 Diamonds in the boat. One of the critical items is that it can make the rated RPMs. The dash tachs may or may not be accurate so a photo tach is the only sure way that I know of to get an accurate reading. The Cummins tech didn’t bring one. So the survey was useless in my case. I was going to blast Cummins when they sent me the bill, but they never sent me a bill.

 

[tiltrider1]

With those model engines most people can do their own inspection and oil analysis will cover the rest. Look for rust, look for oil leaks, look at the condition of the rubber hoses. Most engines smoke on start up and then clean up. Some engines fill the entire marina with smoke. An engine should start. It shouldn’t start then stop or start and stumble.

 

[bkcorwin]

Nordhavn 40?

 

[Bacchus]

I certainly don't claim to know a lot about diesels but did my own when I purchased current Mainship w Yanmar. I took a Pyro gun and checked key temps after WOT run. RPMs were a little under spec WOT but when we hauled it the hull was dirty w growth. I dont see a downside to DIY while reserving right to have a mechanic do a more extensive inspection depending on your observations. I ask what can realistically be done w/o pulling injectors etc. Excessive bliw by would be another point to check for. I would make sure the engine is "cold" when starting for sea trial to make sure it hasn't been warmed up prior. Smoke at start seems to be a key indicator.

 

[DavidM]

I have never done a separate engine inspection on the 6-8 boats I have bought over the years. But don't let that dissuade you. Get one if it makes you feel comfortable. These are the issues I have learned to look for over the years:

1. Does it start quickly from cold. Worn out engine crank and crank until they fire and then do so with lots of smoke. A little smoke is ok if it dissipates after a few minutes.

2. Does it rev to rated rpm at wot in gear?

3. Does it overheat after 2-3 minutes at wot?

When you get back to the dock after the sea trial, look for any fluid leakage. IMO an oil analysis will only tell you if catastrophic things are going to happen. But do pay particular attention to sodium values. High sodium is almost a sure indicator that sea water is getting in somehow.

David

David

 

[ranger58sb]

The surveyor asked me if I was going to get an engine inspection? In all the boats we have ever bought I have not hired an engine inspection. What I do do is have an engine oil analyst done and then just see how the engines start and behave from a cold start.

So I am wondering if other's think it is worth the expense to have a pre-purchase engine inspection done?

The engine is a Luger L668D2 with 5000 hours. Also there is a"get home engine" Yanmar 27HP

I'm not familiar with either of those engines, and that's more than a few hours... which would be reasons I'd choose to have a mechanical survey done.

At the same time, I think I'd try to be choosing the same tech who will in turn baseline engine maintenance for me immediately after purchase. (Local Brand X tech, Lugger in your case.)

I'd expect a tech to be capturing actual RPMs (versus what the gauges show)... and without many other existing onboard sensors in place (if they aren't) I'd hope to assess temps at various critical locations (coolers, gears, exhaust gas, etc.).

FWIW, we had a mechanical survey done on our current engines/genset. Our engines are electronic, so the tech could plug in and then capture boatloads of performance data while underway etc. Way more info than "no smoke and meets rated WOT." Augmented by oil samples, including gears.

-Chris

 

[psneeld]

Yep Chris...big difference in when a tech can come plug a computer into a $50,000 diesel and some guy staring at a 50 year old Lehman.

There are things an oil sample and start time will not show, and neither will a good mechanic find on a quick sea trial engine survey....of course depends on the mechanic's experience.

Newer large trawler...yeah, I would spring for the tech. On an older, single trawler probably not as I would just buy with a price in mind an engine rebuild/replacement is coming up sometime soon.