considering going diesel
- Thread starter PHOENIX
- Start date
It depends on what you want to use the boat for and how much you intend to spend, but a diesel engine is perfect for my trawler.
As far as maintenance cost, I have not found it to be more than for a gasoline engine except for larger quantities of oil. This is offset by not having to buy spark plugs and other ignition parts.
Diesel repairs could cost more than for gasoline, but repairs are typically needed less often. I have 3,800 hours on my Volvo and it shows no signs of quitting or even old age. What would be the average life of a gasoline engine in a boat?
As far as maintenance cost, I have not found it to be more than for a gasoline engine except for larger quantities of oil. This is offset by not having to buy spark plugs and other ignition parts.
Diesel repairs could cost more than for gasoline, but repairs are typically needed less often. I have 3,800 hours on my Volvo and it shows no signs of quitting or even old age. What would be the average life of a gasoline engine in a boat?
Okay that would indicate 6 cylinder Yanmars just de-rated (they last longer) rated and set up to run at 250hp max as Smitty just posted. If the dual engine boat says 200hp I would think they are the 4 cylinder Yanmars but I'm guessing the engine manufacture given the information provided so far.
Bill
Bill
"The listing shows the engine model as 6LP"
The Yanmar 6lp is a 6 cyl and was typically marine rated between 250 and 315 hp dependent upon the year and configuration. Its displacement is 254 cubic inches which represents one of the smallest inline 6 cyl diesels to be offered as many manufacturers produce 4 cyl engines in that displacement range. This engine was derived from the Toyota Landcruiser diesel which was immensely popular overseas and had what some would call a cult following. FWIW - In the land based applications it was typically rated at or near 200 hp, and I have no real experience with them to offer you.
You could gain much more info on these engines at boatdiesel(dot)com if you were to be considering them in a potential boat purchase.
Hope this helps
The Yanmar 6lp is a 6 cyl and was typically marine rated between 250 and 315 hp dependent upon the year and configuration. Its displacement is 254 cubic inches which represents one of the smallest inline 6 cyl diesels to be offered as many manufacturers produce 4 cyl engines in that displacement range. This engine was derived from the Toyota Landcruiser diesel which was immensely popular overseas and had what some would call a cult following. FWIW - In the land based applications it was typically rated at or near 200 hp, and I have no real experience with them to offer you.
You could gain much more info on these engines at boatdiesel(dot)com if you were to be considering them in a potential boat purchase.
Hope this helps
"Okay that would indicate 6 cylinder Yanmars just de-rated (they last longer) rated and set up to run at 250hp max as Smitty just posted"
Hello Bill,
While the old adage that running the same diesel engine at a lower load rating (HP) works well with the older diesels it does not always work that well with the newer ones (sometimes it does and sometimes it does not).
As one example only my engines are Hino's (also Toyota based) that are rated at 310Hp often called the WO6 series. They are roughly 5.8 liters in displacement and are also offered in the same series at a 250 hp rating. We only cruise them at or below a load of about 160 hp (about 9 gph per engine) so many folks use either engine offered in these boats and load them the exact same way. While you would normally guess that these two engines which are called by the same series, and look almost exactly the same, and share maybe 90% of the parts are equally designed they are not.
With more than just a bit of research you will find that 'small' very hard to detect changes between the two of them call for the 310 hp version to be much more robust at any loads but especially within the higher hp areas. These differences include but are not limited to larger oil capacity, oil sparges on the piston crowns, an extra oil relief filter, eutectic pistons changes, etc etc. - just about none if which is easily detected from the outside.
The reason I mention this now is that if his Yanmars are truly rated at 200 hp they may be more robust than the exact same engines rated at 250-315 hp or they may be otherwise designed to only handle the 200 hp.(as in land based without the updates.
I am generally unfamiliar with these engines having only had one for a very short time so I do not know which might be the truth in this case.
I do know that he can find the info that he needs over at boatdiesel and that is it important if he move forward with this boat.
Hope this helps
Hello Bill,
While the old adage that running the same diesel engine at a lower load rating (HP) works well with the older diesels it does not always work that well with the newer ones (sometimes it does and sometimes it does not).
As one example only my engines are Hino's (also Toyota based) that are rated at 310Hp often called the WO6 series. They are roughly 5.8 liters in displacement and are also offered in the same series at a 250 hp rating. We only cruise them at or below a load of about 160 hp (about 9 gph per engine) so many folks use either engine offered in these boats and load them the exact same way. While you would normally guess that these two engines which are called by the same series, and look almost exactly the same, and share maybe 90% of the parts are equally designed they are not.
With more than just a bit of research you will find that 'small' very hard to detect changes between the two of them call for the 310 hp version to be much more robust at any loads but especially within the higher hp areas. These differences include but are not limited to larger oil capacity, oil sparges on the piston crowns, an extra oil relief filter, eutectic pistons changes, etc etc. - just about none if which is easily detected from the outside.
The reason I mention this now is that if his Yanmars are truly rated at 200 hp they may be more robust than the exact same engines rated at 250-315 hp or they may be otherwise designed to only handle the 200 hp.(as in land based without the updates.
I am generally unfamiliar with these engines having only had one for a very short time so I do not know which might be the truth in this case.
I do know that he can find the info that he needs over at boatdiesel and that is it important if he move forward with this boat.
Hope this helps
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2007
- RO Number
- 25075
- Messages
- 1,698
The Yanmar LH is a 4 cylinder engine
The Yanmar LP is a six cylinder engine
The 6LP DTE series has TWO valves per cylinder making 250 horse
more detail:
•6 cylinder, direct injection, heat exchanger cooling
•Turbocharged + intercooled
•DTE 2-valves per cylinder; STE 4-valves per cylinder
•Available as a sterndrive application
These engines contain many high performance features sure to appeal to the serious power boater. The overhead cam design develops maximum horsepower at higher revs allowing smaller, smoother running propellers. A waste-gated, water-cooled turbo really makes things happen when the throttle is put down hard. To reduce embarrassing black smoke, the LP series engines have boost-compensated distributor-type fuel pumps. The aim is to go faster on less fuel, while simultaneously keeping a far better eye on vital engine functions.
sorry for the "commercial", but I am quite happy with mine.
Nine seasons.
The only item not considered regular maintenance was a starter solenoid, for which I switched both of them over to the old Ford three post style.
I also change my coolant every two years.
Some earlier versions had a valve stem seal issue which was later corrected.
As with any modern low displacement/higher RPM diesel, they do not take kindly to OVERPROPPING
these guys are smooth, smoke free and quiet.
They are SIMPLE.
A PURE MECHANICAL DIESEL - no electronics or common rail to deal with.
While they did meet US EPA Tier I and Tier II, they could not make the new Tier III emissions, and as such the LP is no longer offered.
I am glad I got mine when I did.
RWS
The Yanmar LP is a six cylinder engine
The 6LP DTE series has TWO valves per cylinder making 250 horse
more detail:
•6 cylinder, direct injection, heat exchanger cooling
•Turbocharged + intercooled
•DTE 2-valves per cylinder; STE 4-valves per cylinder
•Available as a sterndrive application
These engines contain many high performance features sure to appeal to the serious power boater. The overhead cam design develops maximum horsepower at higher revs allowing smaller, smoother running propellers. A waste-gated, water-cooled turbo really makes things happen when the throttle is put down hard. To reduce embarrassing black smoke, the LP series engines have boost-compensated distributor-type fuel pumps. The aim is to go faster on less fuel, while simultaneously keeping a far better eye on vital engine functions.
sorry for the "commercial", but I am quite happy with mine.
Nine seasons.
The only item not considered regular maintenance was a starter solenoid, for which I switched both of them over to the old Ford three post style.
I also change my coolant every two years.
Some earlier versions had a valve stem seal issue which was later corrected.
As with any modern low displacement/higher RPM diesel, they do not take kindly to OVERPROPPING
these guys are smooth, smoke free and quiet.
They are SIMPLE.
A PURE MECHANICAL DIESEL - no electronics or common rail to deal with.
While they did meet US EPA Tier I and Tier II, they could not make the new Tier III emissions, and as such the LP is no longer offered.
I am glad I got mine when I did.
RWS
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2007
- RO Number
- 25075
- Messages
- 1,698
Here's a review of this motor:
https://books.google.com/books?id=b...epage&q=yanmar lp valves per cylinder&f=false
https://books.google.com/books?id=b...epage&q=yanmar lp valves per cylinder&f=false
Hello RWS - All good information and seasons speak for itself.
I liked mine as well but it was a short experience and a poor application for the engine.
Are you aware of a 200 hp marine version of that engine?
I have not heard of that configuration over the years.
I liked mine as well but it was a short experience and a poor application for the engine.
Are you aware of a 200 hp marine version of that engine?
I have not heard of that configuration over the years.
excellent information. Thank you all for your outstanding feedback and opinions. This has been very helpful to me. I am narrowing my search. Now if we can get rid of all this snow we have in the Northeast. I can't wait for spring and hopefully a new boat.
BlueYonder
Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2015
- RO Number
- 33859
- Messages
- 6
You should be aware that Sep 1996 to Feb 2002 6LP Yanmars were subject to a class action settlement concerning valves. If you look at a boat built within that timeframe, make sure that the valves were fixed.
OTOH there's also a big maintenance/service advantage with all-round access to a single in a decent engine room.
A single diesel and a bow thruster is a lot less expensive than twins.
Assuming towing insurance is always kept up to date...
-Chris
BlueYonder
Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2015
- RO Number
- 33859
- Messages
- 6
I'm having the aftercooler, heat exchanger, and coolers cleaned this year. I am really happy that I only have one engine to pay for.
This is my year for an on-engine flush of the raw water system, which is relatively inexpensive, but that's another good point.
Of course dismounting and remounting each of those systems yourself is one way to save some $$, but still...
-Chris
If one engine gives you enough power to achieve your cruising goals without having to overload that engine than why not?
If you have owned a boat with twins you should try a single engine boat at least once for a few hours as the maneuvering with a single is very different - we owned a single trawler for a couple of years
FWIW - If you are willing and capable of doing this "aftercooler, heat exchanger, and coolers" yourself the costs are just not a significant number. These items including new seals and "O" rings for twin diesels in our boat are about $200 total doing it yourself - single largest cost being the new coolant.
Hope this helps
If you have owned a boat with twins you should try a single engine boat at least once for a few hours as the maneuvering with a single is very different - we owned a single trawler for a couple of years
FWIW - If you are willing and capable of doing this "aftercooler, heat exchanger, and coolers" yourself the costs are just not a significant number. These items including new seals and "O" rings for twin diesels in our boat are about $200 total doing it yourself - single largest cost being the new coolant.
Hope this helps
Thank you all for great feedback. I had learned about the valve issue so am targeting the 315hp single engine 2003 or newer. That said, I have put off my purchase for now. May need to wait until next year as I am going through a transition at my job.