Universal M25xp or Yanmar 3gm30f

[Xthewater]

Last year I removed and rebuilt our M25xp and runs like a clock (mechanical analog not digital). All parts were sourced from very helpful Kubota dealership at vastly lower cost than Universal prices? Like 10 times less! M25xp is based on Kubota 950. Complete overhaul kits are available.
Also found a very good machine shop to do the work replacing all bearings, rings, valves etc. for about $1700. Total job including new engine mounts, hoses etc came to about $3,500.

[01kiwijohn]

They are both good engines, with almost the same HP & Torque outputs.
I've had a Yanmar for the past few years and just turned over 2,000 hours. Regular maintenance parts and supplies can be bought quite reasonably, if you pay attention. eg: Just fitted new bearings, impeller and seal to my water pump">raw water pump, parts total $41. Had the injectors cleaned and re-set the pressures $110. Serviced and repaired heat exchanger $165. Replaced exhaust mixing elbow (Yanmar list two, get the one with the straight water inlet fitting, the angled one costs $40 more but they are the same elbow) $124. I make my own exhaust gaskets, saving about $30.
Those piston burn ups you hear about, are usually injector related.
Good solid engine, should be good for you too.
Good luck and let me know if there is anything else I can help you with

[gbowen]

I had a Yanmar 3QM30F for 27 years in my boat. I installed it in Hawaii when I repowered. It was a wonderful engine. I had 3 fuel filters before the injector pump. You can buy Yanmar parts all over the world. The price of new engines has skyrocketed. Unless the Yanmar is worn out or has been cooled directly with seawater. I would choose the Yanmar. I carried lots of spare parts and never used any of them. It was a super good engine that always started.

Regards,

Gbowen

[tikirawker]

I have the Yanmar that you mentioned on my Beneteau.
Like a big dumb jerk I ran it dry for the first time a couple months ago.
It was very easy to re-prime and get running again.
I would base the decision on 1) how easy is the motor to work on 2) how cheap easy is it to get parts for the motor.

[Stu Jackson]

Bleeding an M25XP requires all of turning a little finger knob. Most installations come with electric fuel pumps. Cracking injectors is never required. About as simple as you can get. The link I provided earlier explains how, among all the other things we've learned about those engines in the past 30 years.

The link to the Yanmar engines was helpful, too.

I think most of us really like the engines we have. Why? Because we've learned how to operate them.

I have replaced my M25 (essentially the same as an M25XP) exhaust riser (twice in 18 years), my muffler once, my raw water pump (once replaced, second time rebuilt the seals) and hoses any number of times. The first time is always the hardest.

The same is true of the knowledgeable Yanmar owners. They know when and how to replace the exhaust riser on their engines and the pumps.

[paulstenlund]

Thanks for the input guys, I ended up with a remanufactured Universal should be trouble free for years with proper service

Paul