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rotorman · 24-10-2011, 22:25

I am planning to repower my sailboat. I asked a quote from Yanmar for a 4JH5E but the dealer offered a 4JH4AE instead. I checked the Yanmar website and it seems like the offered modell is not for sale.

I am concerned that the dealer is trying to sell me an old model.

Do you know this model? Is this a predessor of 4JH5E?

Both engines are rated around 40 kW but interestingly the power curve for the 4JH5E shows 28 kW / 3000 and the 4JH4A shows 40 kw/3000.

This does not sound correct. 40 kW vs 28 kW?

donradcliffe · 24-10-2011, 23:44

If you have to get a Yanmar, the 4JH4AE is an earlier version, with the same bore and stroke. Not sure why they changed the designation, but if the earlier version has fewer electronics, you will be better off with it. The power curve for the 4JH5E seems to be wrong--you might ask Yanmar about it.

**noelex 77** · 25-10-2011, 00:08

The differences were very minor. The main change was with the fuel filter housing, which on the 4AE had a useful manual priming pump. On some instalations this allowed in air. My 4AE had this problem, but Yanmar sent me the new filter housing from the 5E (no manual pump, but also no air leak). It just bolts on so its easily changed.

I think you will find the power difference is mistake

**bstreep** · 25-10-2011, 08:36

You might consider a Beta Marine engine instead. Not sure where you are located, but here in the US, Yanmar's distribution/dealer network is a nightmare... AND a ripoff.

**noelex 77** · 25-10-2011, 09:01

Beta do make very good engines as well and I would certainly consider them, but a big + for Yanmar is the availibility of spares and dealers worldwide.
I have seen 100's of Yanmars signs on shops and spare parts in side and I have never seen Beta spares advertised in any chandlery. Ever. I know the base models are Kubota so there is a chance of getting some parts from a tractor dealer, but its inveriably the marinised parts that need repair.

In some countries custom delays mean ordering parts can be very slow if they are not in the country.

The OP has an Amel (I think!), so I hope they have some long distance crusing asperations. That is what the boats are designed for.
Worldwide Yanmar wins hands down with the number of dealers and availibility of parts.

donradcliffe · 25-10-2011, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Beta do make very good engines as well and I would certainly consider them, but a big + for Yanmar is the availibility of spares and dealers worldwide.
I have seen 100's of Yanmars signs on shops and spare parts in side and I have never seen Beta spares advertised in any chandlery. Ever. I know the base models are Kubota so there is a chance of getting some parts from a tractor dealer, but its inveriably the marinised parts that need repair.

In some countries custom delays mean ordering parts can be very slow if they are not in the country.

The OP has an Amel (I think!), so I hope they have some long distance crusing asperations. That is what the boats are designed for.
Worldwide Yanmar wins hands down with the number of dealers and availibility of parts.

Actually, I have seen far more volvo-penta signs than Yanmar signs in my travels, but I repowered with a Beta. I'd rather buy my parts at the tractor dealer than at the $chandlery$.

If you really want to go long-distance cruising you go with the most reliable engine you can buy AND you will carry critical spares with you.

**noelex 77** · 25-10-2011, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Actually, I have seen far more volvo-penta signs than Yanmar signs in my travels, but I repowered with a Beta. I'd rather buy my parts at the tractor dealer than at the $chandlery$.

If you really want to go long-distance cruising you go with the most reliable engine you can buy AND you will carry critical spares with you.

I agree with that. Lots of Volo Penta signs as well and the best engine and lots of spares is always sensible.

I hope you realise now every boat with engine problems will be over to "borrow" our spare parts.

Celestialsailor · 25-10-2011, 12:29

Yes but a Volvo starter is $600!!! Regarding Beta/ Kubuta. It is cheaper to buy from a tractor dealer. On a thread I started about my Westerbeke W46, I found out it was a Mitsubishi. An example there on price difference was a gasket set. $1600 from Westerbeke and $380 from Mitsubishi. I had a Yanmar 4JH in one of my boats. I found it reliable and parts reasonably priced.

**bstreep** · 25-10-2011, 16:12

It's my opinion that Yanmar prices its engines to boat manufacturers like razors. Then, they let the end user buy the parts (the blades). The profit is in the blades, and they have a distribution / dealer setup to insure the protection of their margins. It's absurd. Our distributor in LA didn't even have impeller gaskets in stock - I got sent - and charged for - 10 in a drop ship from Yanmar US.

Celestialsailor · 25-10-2011, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstreep

It's my opinion that Yanmar prices its engines to boat manufacturers like razors. Then, they let the end user buy the parts (the blades). The profit is in the blades, and they have a distribution / dealer setup to insure the protection of their margins. It's absurd. Our distributor in LA didn't even have impeller gaskets in stock - I got sent - and charged for - 10 in a drop ship from Yanmar US.

That sounds like a problem with the LA distributer, not Yanmar. Golden State diesel up here was a pleasure to work with. Always stock on hand and always reasonable. Starter for the Yanmar 4JH was $190. For my junk Volvo 2003 27hp. was $600+. Initially all engines are about priced the same. I know a 45hp. engine will sell between $12k - $14K, new, depending on the options.
I will pay for reputation before I will for inexpensive replacement parts. A good example of that was the Mercedes 50hp. marinized engine. Sure the parts were expensive but the engine was very trouble free. So the outlay was small over the 30,000 hours the engine could run. The same was true of the Isuzu Pieces engines. Beta (compared to other engines) are relatively new to the market. I know many people swear by them but most I have met have less than 500 hours on them so not a fair assessment.

Cheechako · 25-10-2011, 19:31

at this point I know Beta have been around for 16 years anyway, the Kubota engines for longer, so I dont think that would be a worry. The dirt about Yanmars issues has been leaking out now for years, but they DO have a lot of engines out there so you would expect to hear a lot I suppose. i would buy either if naturally aspirated.

rotorman · 25-10-2011, 20:14

Thanks for all the replies so far. I need an engine to which I can easily get parts anywhere around the world. That's why I am thinking about Yanmar or Volvo.
FYI I did a quick price check between D2-55 and the 4JH5E (gst free usd standard prices found online)

Exhaust maniford: Yanmar: $2019 Volvo: $3336
water pump">Raw Water Pump: Yanmar: $1024 Volvo: $604
Exhaust bend: Yanmar: $468 Volvo: $563
Oil pan: Yanmar: $586 Volvo: $308
Injector nozzle: Yanmar: $93 Volvo $167

Chief Engineer · 26-10-2011, 07:19

One thing that needs to be mentioned is this....The current economy precludes a lot of dealers from carrying a large parts inventory........
When My YANMAR supplier looks up a part...he is on a nationwide Yanmar Database.

callistov42 · 26-10-2011, 07:46

I had a 4jh4 for 14 years and recently repowered with the 4jh5e. They are almost identical. I hadn't noticed the difference at the primary fuel filter housing. I wouldn't have any other engine on my boat. Parts are easy to find all across the Caribbean. One thing I did notice about the 4jh5e is that I am burning a LOT less fuel than I was. I also put a new prop on so some of the fuel economy is due to that but some is due to the engine. Callisto went from 1 gallon per hour at 2500 revs (6 knots) to 1/2 gallon per hour 2500 revs now 7+ knots.