Engine failure survey

[Channel Ribs]

It has been suggested elsewhere that second hand engines are more prone to critical failure at sea than new ones, irrespective of fuel system or electrical installation.

What are Ribbers experiences with engine's letting them down when on the water?

[biffer]

Being an inboard man I find that outboards break down at anytime. To me they aren't built robust enough

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[PeterM]

Now thats a good question !! I've often wondered how 'unreliable' engines really are ...

I have been lucky enough to run new motors except a 200 opti, of a few years old. Every engine I have owned ( 8 in all some 2s some 4s) got me home. Only the opti ever hiccuped with a power loss but I still 'managed' 25knts for the 10 miles home.

I think all depends on how they are looked after.

Always exceptions to the rule - look at Martinis engine , looked after but still went pop.

Oh I forgot the Suzuki that died right in the entrance to Portsmouth in 1991 ....I was popular!.......but it wasn't my boat ( an Sr4 with a 1985 motor)

[Mollers]

The 10yo Opti on my 6.5 Vipermax (now owned by Spittle123), never missed a beat.

I've had a couple of large inboards, they don't suffer from the niggly faults as with outboards, they fail in big lumps.

Transmission is/was a weak area with inboards. Lots of hp and torque going through 90 degrees twice.

[Nos4r2]

Depends how old you're talking. I've had a gearbox let go, but it was on an absolutely ancient Johnson.

I think it's entirely dependant on which engine it is,the previous owner,how well it's been maintained and how many hours it's done.

Oh, and luck-not whether the engine is new or not.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Depends how old you're talking.

I am hoping that people can recall examples, so we can build up an understanding.

[wavelength]

Volvo penta 35-bought new splined drive on crankshaft stripped eventually miles out to sea requiring some carefully worded conversations with a friend to tow it back

mariner 40-the old two cylinder yammie one-bought new never missed a beat over 15 years and still going strong when we sold the boat on. Brilliant!

New Merc 90 four stroke 2001. Oil pump seals failed at 3 weeks old in entrance to poole with chain ferry behind on an ebbing tide, an onshore wind and a seacat approaching. I said "golly gosh" or something similar. After some "discussions" with Sowesters it was replaced and allegedly all motors recalled for a fix but I have met others with mariner/mercs 75/90 with same problem. Replacement motor developed knocking noise months later which was found to be flywheel loose!!!!! Last of the carb models it had float valve sticking problems thru lack of use but is now run by a friend and is fine- been better for being used.

Merc 50 4 stroke new in 2003 ish absolutely fine when I had it but has since had the grommet replaced between head and leg where the cooling water goes as my mechanic said when we bought it that it would eventually as they have "prostrate" problems.

Suzuki 90 four stroke 2006 ish bought new and has been faultless so far (except needed replacement trim sender unit at silly money) which is probably the kiss of death for it!

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Always exceptions to the rule - look at Martinis engine , looked after but still went pop.

Obviously he takes fantastic care of them, but they were bought for a relative pittance from the States as unseen, and he has had a number of issues with them over the years. I seem to remember him telling us they had been flooded? Or that may just be my imagination.

[biffer]

outboards seem to fail at anytime no matter how well they're looked after, and it's never the same thing, compressor pumps or melted piston etc, it just happens, inboards fail when they are neglected or not used, but its usually the marine bits on an inboard that fail, water jackets, pumps, dodgey fuel, etc

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by biffer

compressor pumps or melted piston etc

Can you remember any rough ages or makes Biff?