Mechanic for compression & leakdown test on some anchorage around Fort Myers?

[mischa.mole]

Hi guys,
We are a young family of 3 from Austria on a small 30 ft boat. We are currently at Grand Cayman, but if the weather stays promising, we will probably be in Ft. Myers in about two weeks.

We have a YANMAR 2GM20F engine that needs some maintenance. We are on a rather small budget so we avoid marinas and try to do all of the maintenance work for ourselves, but we do not have the tools for a compression test and a leakdown test to find out what problems our engine might have. Does anyone know a good YANMAR mechanic around Ft. Myers who has the necessary equipment and would come out to some anchorage? We are quite flexible with our choice of anchoring location, but we would like to avoid a marina if possible.
Thanks in advance!
Mischa

[David Hughes]

I am quite familiar with that area, as my boat is there. A marina will cost maybe $2.50/ ft, or $75. Any mechanic willing to make a visit to an anchored boat will #1 be hard to find, and #2 likely to charge as much or more than the $75 marina to take their own boat out to find you. I think you should pay for a marina. Just my opinion. Good luck.

[slowpoker]

Idea: Get to speak with the mechanic and pick him up at a designated fuel dock or pier, then anchor boat and let him do his 'magical' testing.
He might agree to that if he knows how to put the engine back together to get him back to shore again!.
It's not difficult to test compression pressures on an engine. Just need the proper compression tester for diesels,( higher pressures than gasoline engines) the right adapters to fit the injector holes and basic good wrenches together with the mechanic's and parts manual that is applicable for your engine...and to remember how things go together again.

[SailsTeam]

You don't need a compression nor leak down test. Is it spewing blue smoke that smells like oil? Is it using a lot of oil? Is it just hard to start? Blue smoke is the rings and total rebuild but you can DIY. Hard to start is likely exhaust valves burnt because of a prior overheat. Easy DIY fix just take the cylinder head off and take it to a machine shop. They will fix the compression problem by grinding the valve seats and replacing any worn valves and seals then you can reinstall it with a new head gasket. This is a 1 or 2 day deal. While the head is at the machine shop you can clean your injectors and get a new exhaust elbow and water pump impeller.


Don't listen to anyone that tells you to go pick up the mechanic at the dock so he can do his "magical testing". Yanmar engines don't require hocus pocus just fuel and compression. The time it takes to do a compression test on a yanmar is the same time it takes to rebuild the entire cylinder head so spend your money on testing or spend it on fixing it. Your choice.

[mischa.mole]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your answers! The Wind has forced us to stop in Key West, so we will rethink our options!

BR
Mischa

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by mischa.mole

Hi guys,

Thanks for your answers! The Wind has forced us to stop in Key West, so we will rethink our options!

BR
Mischa

Whew, you won't find much of anything cheap in Key West! Good Luck!

[Charlie]

I was looking for a compression test adapter for my Yanmar 4JH4E. Couldn't find one but there is a tractor company that makes them for other Yanmar engines. Here is the link. COMPRESSION TESTER ADAPTER: Yanmar Tractor Parts from there you could rent a compressor if you know how to do the test.