My Yanmar 4JH3-te needs a rebuild?

[jrobert890]

Hi Folks, I'll start by apologizing for the long post.

I'm sure everyone is looking forward to the holidays and the long cold winter . I just bought a new boat (new for me anyway) in July and on my 2 day trip home after she was launched I had to add about a quart of oil every 6 hours. I know I will take a lot of heat for this, and I should, but I didn't have a diesel mechanic look at the engine during the survey. I am trusting and a bit naive sometimes. The engine starts right up and runs well. There is a little smoke while running, but not alot, at least I don't think so. I was advised by a few mechanics that it could be stuck rings from sitting for 1.5 years, or fuel lift pump diaphram failure or turbo seal. I was worried, but I still had hope. I took a few trips in the summer and hoped the engine would improve. I'm still topping up the engine with 1 qt/6 hrs. Well before haul out last week, the yard finally did a diagnostic. The yard said that engine doesn't have a fuel lift pump diaphram, so that is out. The mechanic did a compression test and it was 400 psi across all 4 cylinders. He added oil to the cylinders and compression came up to 420 on one, 470 and 480 on others. I'm don't know what the compression spec is for this engine, but if someone knows and could share, that would be great. The injectors all looked clean, no carbon or discoloration. They still want to look at the turbo. I am now thinking worst case and thinking bad rings, worn cylinders. I bought the boat at a good price, but I didn't steal it and it was a stretch for me. I am thinking that I now need a rebuild, rebuilt short block or something along these lines. I don't want to repower with a new engine, since I don't want that bill, or have to mess with stringers and shaft angles, etc. I think I'm still looking at a $15 - $20K bill....ugh. Anyway, any thoughts? What would you do, if you were me? Btw, the previous owner, by way of the broker said he didn't have an oil consumption problem...hmm. I'm thinking of asking them (broker/previous owner), if they want to do the right thing and split the cost, if it turns out that I need a rebuild. Again, thoughts.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday and have a Merry Christmas!