Vetus engines

[bellasailor]

Any thoughts on these (good/bad/indifferent)?

We are in the midst of our search for a boat, identified our preferred model which all rolled out of production with Volvos or Yanmars (all sail drive as we understand). Then we hit a curveball, where we have found one of this model that has had its engine replaced with a 42hp Vetus (direct drive) with 1400 hours on it, that was fitted in 2014 (awaiting confirmation on model number from the broker). This is in a 38ft AWB. The boat is well equipped and well priced but now all of a sudden we aren't comparing apples with apples (rather, apples with lemons given the bright yellow of a Vetus!)

Read some bits online re starboard access, availability of parts etc but wondered if anyone has any views here?

For context, we'd likely be keeping the boat where it is (Croatia) for two seasons then a sabbatical covering the Eastern med...compared to Volvo etc I'm sure parts are not as freely sourced so we'd just carry a good bank of the most likely to be needed (as for mail order to the UK where we live they are easy enough to get)

[Sailmonkey]

It’s just another engine. Typically a marinized Mitsubishi. I wouldn’t let the brand of engine weigh too heavily into the purchase decision (unless it was one of the alibaba boat engines).

[txg]

The 42hp is a Mitsubishi S4L2. We put the 32hp Version (S4L) in our boat in 2015. Thats the same engine with less stroke. Since then it has run 1200 hours without any serious problems. We had a leaking water pump twice which we replaced completely at 1000 hours. Compared to Yanmar the pumps are cheap Jabscos at about 300$.


We also had to replace the O-Rings of the heat exchanger.



The stock 110A Alternator gets way too hot without an external regulator with temperature control, so we added a cooling fan for it.



So all in all there is nothing serious to worry about.

[bellasailor]

Originally Posted by txg

The 42hp is a Mitsubishi S4L2. We put the 32hp Version (S4L) in our boat in 2015. Thats the same engine with less stroke. Since then it has run 1200 hours without any serious problems. We had a leaking water pump twice which we replaced completely at 1000 hours. Compared to Yanmar the pumps are cheap Jabscos at about 300$.


We also had to replace the O-Rings of the heat exchanger.



The stock 110A Alternator gets way too hot without an external regulator with temperature control, so we added a cooling fan for it.



So all in all there is nothing serious to worry about.

Thanks, that's good to know.

We understand this to be professionally serviced albeit not by authorised Vetus service centres, and 1400 hours feels low (compared to the same boats with their original engines) yet enough to know of major issues. Assuming the boat doesn't sell before then, we have arranged to view it in the first week of September when we are back in Croatia We'll see how it is!

[Compass790]

I think you are lucky not having a saildrive. They are expensive to maintain and or repair.
Don't know yr particular Vetus but most owners seem ok with them. If you can find the equivalent Mitsi tractor engine you will get MUCH cheaper parts than yanmar & volvo.
I'd see it as an advantage, again without knowing that particular model Vetus.

[JPA Cate]

If it is painted yellow, beware, yellow is the color of lemons.

This is what was told a friend of ours after their Vetus ran a bearing on its way to Noumea.

Fortunately for our mates, a RAF pilot and her diesel mechanic husband helped them fix it to return to Oz.

Ann