Blue Water Engine Spares Recommendations

[GrahamO]

We are trying to put together a sensible list of engine spares for a Pacific crossing. The engine is a Yanmar 4JH4AE with about 800hrs.

The boat is not huge so we need to find the right balance between safety and excess. Our assumption is that you can ship anything anywhere if you are willing to wait long enough so we want to focus on stuff that can be fixed at sea.

Has anyone made such a list or can make recommendations?

Thanks a lot!

[john61ct]

https://goo.gl/gDQF5V

Adjust keywords or other marine sites to get lots more as desired

[GrahamO]

Thanks,
My searching techniques clearly need refreshing....

[john61ct]

Glad to help, more specifically than just nagging "have you searched?"

No criticism implied, in fact new members may have new suggestions to add to a new thread.

Just saves a lot of repetition otherwise.

[john61ct]

Posting **your** list once finished here, along with any specifically relevant search keywords will be helpful, as with your engine model above.

[billknny]

Lots of variables that you didn't mention.

It is one thing to stock a boat with spares for a "crossing," i.e., a week or three under sail to a single destination, say LA to Hawaii. It would be minimal, especially if the boat was well maintained and fully up on her maintenance.

On the other hand if you are undertaking a long term Pacific ocean cruise of months or years across the South Pacific Islands the answer is very, very different. You might load up with all you can fit.

Also your sailing style matters. Do you use you engine only to maneuver in marinas and anchorages? Or do you start the engine every time boat speed drops below 5 knots? Makes a huge difference in what you need.

Are you on a schedule?

Are you skilled enough to can handle your boat under sail in close quarters without an engine?

Do you NEED your engine for battery charging or other ancillary functions?

Is there someone aboard who has the mechanical chops to use spares beyond filters and pump impellers?

And finally, some very tough ones to answer...

You and your crew's personnel tolerance for inconvenience, frustration, and spending money.

[Scaramanga F25]

Shipping is good and parts can arrive within a week on major Pacific islands.

Make sure the engine shaft alignment is spot on.
Shaft seal replacement parts.
Polish your fuel and clean your tanks before leaving.
In any case, have a couple of spare filters for each.
Three water pump impellors and a seal and 4 gaskets.
Hoses and fuel lines if not new should be inspected for corrosion.
All belts. A spare alternator perhaps, if only one installed.

I have never in 45 years needed an injector or an injector pump in a variety of types of diesel.

[Greg Mason]

Graham, when we got ready to go, a couple of things were on my mind about the engine, a Perkins 4-108. I took off the starter and took it to a shop, to get a blessing. They replaced a bushing, cleaned it all up and said I was good to go. I had already just replaced the alternator with a 200 amp replacement, (and double belts) so I was ok there. I never wanted to be that guy waiting in a foreign port for parts to arrive. And never was.

[Kenomac]

Hey neighbor. I’m getting our boat ready in Maine for a similar adventure, please feel free to contact me anytime over the Fall/ winter. I’ll help you out.

[LeeV]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Hey neighbor. I’m getting our boat ready in Maine for a similar adventure, please feel free to contact me anytime over the Fall/ winter. I’ll help you out.

There’s the spirit of this forum!

[Copacabana]

Originally Posted by Scaramanga F25

Shipping is good and parts can arrive within a week on major Pacific islands.

Make sure the engine shaft alignment is spot on.
Shaft seal replacement parts.
Polish your fuel and clean your tanks before leaving.
In any case, have a couple of spare filters for each.
Three water pump impellors and a seal and 4 gaskets.
Hoses and fuel lines if not new should be inspected for corrosion.
All belts. A spare alternator perhaps, if only one installed.

I have never in 45 years needed an injector or an injector pump in a variety of types of diesel.

Great list and recommendations!

I would just add a spare water pump">raw water pump and 1 rebuild kit (if budget and space allow). Also, some lengths of different sized hoses (check what you have installed on the boat first).

Another great thing to carry is gasket material (in sheets) of different thicknesses and for high heat and water. This way you can make most of your own gaskets in an emergency.

And lots of tools, of course!

[Pizzazz]

Here is the work I had to do on my Yanmar in the past few years:
Replace engine mounts
Water pump repair/impellers
Leaking fuel hose (have spares)
Leaking exhaust hose (check beforehand)
Fuel lift pump
Filters/belts
Exhaust elbow (check beforehand)
Spare alternator or two, even a spare starter

[navysurfer]

Great Post, I just traded for two Yanmar 4jhe disassembled engines, I have the same engine on my boat, running well.

I Hope to sail to the South Pacific in a few years, other then the usual spares, starter, alt, belts hoses, anything else since I have the donor motors? Where would be the best place to sell the other things I do not keep, Thanks all

Pop's

[maine50]

I would have gaskets/seals for heat exchanger so it could be cleaned/disassebled. Also replaceable washers/seals for replacement if injectors are removed. There are special washers used on my beta engine that should/need to be replaced when reinstalling injectors. Not sure on Yanmars. Also I would carry spare thermostat w/ gasket.

[KiwiKen]

If you haven't got a top quality water separator fuel filter already fitted on your fuel line, then give consideration to incorporating a Fleetguard water separator fuel filter. (WF Series)
One can buy the filter heads and filters from any Cummins distributor.


Not having diesel fuel contaminated with water going into your injectors could save you a lot of expensive grief.


PS: I don't work, for either Fleetguard/Cummins or any of their distributors