Buying 19 year old NEW diesel

[Phish]

I have a lead on a Beta marine diesel for a replacement in a sailboat.

Engine has been sitting in a crate for 19 years. So brand new, but old.

I have been told it has been stored in a dry, warm location, but cannot prove that.

Looks good. No signs of any issues. Good price. Thoughts?

[Greatest Lakes]

If it's not rusty, it should be fine. Rubber impeller should be changed immediately, and the fuel pump diaphragm should be checked, but other than that, it should be OK.

[MicHughV]

Well, can you at least crank it over??
See if it turns.
Were it me, I'd take the valve covers off for a peek inside.
I would also immediately change the oil, and oil filter, in addition to the above recommendations.

But besides all that, if it's not too much trouble, bring along a 12v battery, make sure the starter turns.

Would be nice if you could get to see it running.

Finally, not to be too inquisitive, what are they asking for the engine ?
Do you have the model #. How many horsepower, etc, etc.

Need some more details for an online assessment.

[FlyingScot]

For the right price, I would be a buyer. Check for cracks in hoses or any other obvious issues. I would shine a light inside looking for corrosion. Easy to remove the oil and coolant ports and also valve cover.

[Fore and Aft]

Phish I purchased a brand new Yanmar2GMF that had been sitting around for years in a guys shed. The engine had all the tags and was still in its original crate. I checked the impeller and decided to use it. A few years later feeling guilty I finally replaced the impeller.
A client of mine also found a new Yanmar, he's more pedantic than me. So he decided to run the new engine on his driveway before installing it. Well while the engine was running he answered his phone. The garden hose disconnected from the engine and the engine overheated and seized. Which finally got his attention. So that ended up being a new rebuilt engine.
Cheers

[bglad]

It should be fine. First start-up spin it with the stop engaged until it is thoroughly lubed before letting it run. Changing the impeller is low hanging fruit and not worth the chance it could fail in short order.

[skipperpete]

I certainly wouldn’t be starting an engine laid up for 19 years without pressurising the lube oil circuit (and NOT by dead cranking) first and then making sure that the stop control actually cuts off the fuel.
Good luck with it.

[Shrew]

We used to squirt a little mystery oil down the cylinders of engines that had been sitting for years. do it for 2-3 days and let it soak down. Then try and slowly crank the engine, just to see if its free and the rings haven't cold welded themselves to the cylinder wall.

I'd replace the impeller, every hose, and anything that is rubber.

[NorthCoastJoe]

My Beta 50 was installed in a boat on the hard and never run for over 10 years when I got it. Dropped it in, new impeller and 250 hours from Hawaii to San Francisco no issues.

The thing surprised me when I hit the starter button it fired right up no cranking.

I say go for it, you will be happy. I like my Beta even more than my Yanmar that's in my Pearson, well both great engines.

[Phish]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

Well, can you at least crank it over??
See if it turns.
Were it me, I'd take the valve covers off for a peek inside.
I would also immediately change the oil, and oil filter, in addition to the above recommendations.

But besides all that, if it's not too much trouble, bring along a 12v battery, make sure the starter turns.

Would be nice if you could get to see it running.

Finally, not to be too inquisitive, what are they asking for the engine ?
Do you have the model #. How many horsepower, etc, etc.

Need some more details for an online assessment.

I was under the impression that new engines came with NO oil?

[Phish]

Originally Posted by skipperpete

I certainly wouldn’t be starting an engine laid up for 19 years without pressurising the lube oil circuit (and NOT by dead cranking) first and then making sure that the stop control actually cuts off the fuel.
Good luck with it.

How do you pressurize the “lube oil circuit”?

[Phish]

Originally Posted by Fore and Aft

Phish I purchased a brand new Yanmar2GMF that had been sitting around for years in a guys shed. The engine had all the tags and was still in its original crate. I checked the impeller and decided to use it. A few years later feeling guilty I finally replaced the impeller.
A client of mine also found a new Yanmar, he's more pedantic than me. So he decided to run the new engine on his driveway before installing it. Well while the engine was running he answered his phone. The garden hose disconnected from the engine and the engine overheated and seized. Which finally got his attention. So that ended up being a new rebuilt engine.
Cheers

Seems strange to just walk away from such an important test….

[barnakiel]

It will be good BUT some rubber gaskets will be dry.


20 years old rubber gets brittle, so expect some leaks


replace the obvious one BEFORE you start the engine first time


b.

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by Phish

How do you pressurize the “lube oil circuit”?

Spin the oil pump rod with a drill...

[Fore and Aft]

Phish my engine came with no oil, just tags highlighting that issue and what sort of oil was needed.
When you're a pedant like my customer the thought that he could have connected the water hose loosely so it could disconnect would never have crossed his mind. I have seen him in action and everything he owns looks like it has never been used.
Cheers