Diesel question

[jclays]

I know this the wrong forum however the lads on the DIESEL side arent responding to my post.
Just want to know how many hours are concidered acceptable in a diesel engine?? lookina at purchasing a used trawler.
How many hours are too much and I should look elseware?
Any other tips to look at.
Thanks
Jim

 

[JeffMB392]

They are not responding because that's a question that can't really be answered.
They can go thousands of hours with proper service. They can also die at 200 hours with lack of service. Have it checked by an engine surveyor.

 

[makomark]

'392 is right on that one...if you have some specifics, you may be able to get at least a couple opinions on reasonable hours.

A lot will be driven by the particulars of the installation. Trawlers aren't speedboats, usually, and as long as the gear and prop were selected with intelligence, the engine should last several thousands of hours if provided good maintenance.

I've seen very fast fishing boats (very expensive, too) that had very expensive engines in them that were routinely visited by the service dept techs.

Some designs are known to have issues as well - again, a specific model will elicit a higher quality answer.

The final 'known' - the less "hi-tech" the design is, the higher the probability of a long service life. Read that as an old naturally aspirated Detroit with regular use and maintenance will likely last decades. A "new" turbo charged, light weight whatever brand delivering 3 hp from each cubic inch of displacement with a WOT of 5000 RPM probably won't make 300 hours without a major issue.