Luhrs Soot Problem Solved

[Fortunate One]

OCcaptain,

We've installed a pair of Yanmar's 8sy-stp in my express. Yanmar's requirements for air intake volume and exhaust back pressure are spelled out clearly. It's my understanding that a representative from Yanmar (Mack Boring) will sign off on the warranty after they make sure that all parameters have been met.


After reading about Lucky lady's experience with Lurhs I'd say they've had their share of problems. It's surprising that Cat would just sell them engines and not certify the first install and not periodically inspect what they are doing with their product. By the way LL, tempered safety glass can break spontaneously. It doesn't happen often but I've actually seen it happen.

[Ocean 50]

I might be able to help with the Luhrs product since I have a large lawsuit over a 41 conv. (Dont get me started --That boat is going to kill someone, but you can read about that on other sites) Luhrs claims that the 05 and up 36 CV has a "gap" under the sides of the rod holders that is where the engine room get its air. They have a naval architec named Rob Schoolfield in Melbourne FL that will say ANYTHING Luhrs wants him to . When you get your people together (surveyors, naval arch, etc) he will claim they are all incorrect and the boat is "built like a tank' Drop me a message and we can talk if you would like --Good Luck !!! It is a shame this happens to people purchasing this line of boats

[tom s]

I have a 2005 38 convert with C 7 cats.I had a problem with the air intake system(or lack of) from day one!I found I have to ALWAYS run the blower system when the engine are running.My boat draws some air in under the cockpit hatch and some small vents on both sides of the cockpit.My REAL ***** is the exhaust system on my port motor where the blue hi temp hump hose is turning brown on some hot spot area.REALLY afraid to burn thru and fill the engine room with soot and water.I keep a close eye on it and carry a spare hose on the boat.JMHO their warrany followup is not much worse than other boats.Tom

[LuckyLady]

I have a 2005 38 convert with C 7 cats.I had a problem with the air intake system(or lack of) from day one!I found I have to ALWAYS run the blower system when the engine are running.My boat draws some air in under the cockpit hatch and some small vents on both sides of the cockpit.My REAL ***** is the exhaust system on my port motor where the blue hi temp hump hose is turning brown on some hot spot area.REALLY afraid to burn thru and fill the engine room with soot and water.I keep a close eye on it and carry a spare hose on the boat.JMHO their warrany followup is not much worse than other boats.Tom

Let me guess Luhrs will not cover it under warranty because boat is out of warranty and its not cats fault because its an aftermarket product that luhrs stuck on?

[LuckyLady]

I might be able to help with the Luhrs product since I have a large lawsuit over a 41 conv. (Dont get me started --That boat is going to kill someone, but you can read about that on other sites) Luhrs claims that the 05 and up 36 CV has a "gap" under the sides of the rod holders that is where the engine room get its air. They have a naval architec named Rob Schoolfield in Melbourne FL that will say ANYTHING Luhrs wants him to . When you get your people together (surveyors, naval arch, etc) he will claim they are all incorrect and the boat is "built like a tank' Drop me a message and we can talk if you would like --Good Luck !!! It is a shame this happens to people purchasing this line of boats

I read the book on the otherside and I am not sure if there is anyone that hasn't that is for sure.

I know one of the other owners Rick and I know its been a hell road for him

[OCcaptain]

I have a 2005 38 convert with C 7 cats.I had a problem with the air intake system(or lack of) from day one!I found I have to ALWAYS run the blower system when the engine are running.My boat draws some air in under the cockpit hatch and some small vents on both sides of the cockpit.My REAL ***** is the exhaust system on my port motor where the blue hi temp hump hose is turning brown on some hot spot area.REALLY afraid to burn thru and fill the engine room with soot and water.I keep a close eye on it and carry a spare hose on the boat.JMHO their warrany followup is not much worse than other boats.Tom

I went over the 3126 Installation manual with the local Cat service mamager. There was a formula for CFM air needed that used the total horsepower "840 in our case" times a fixed number. I can't remember what that number was. The manual also states that at a minimun the area (inches sq) of the air intake should equal the area of your intake filters. This is a bare minimun. It also states that fresh air is "AS IMPORTANT" as cooling water.

I think running the blower would have a negative effect on the engine room ventilation since it is pulling air from the engine room and creating a negitive pressure? I only run the blower to remove heat at the end of the day.

[Questsportfishing]

you increase the air intake / build turbo chargers to boost air or force air, and you improve the exhaust to where the pipes are bigger without any bends , etc. But what do you do when you are fishing a wahoo tournament and you cannot get the door open to let the guys out of the cabin because the bulkhead on the brand new luhrs is stuck??? Things to think about... like I said friends don't let friends buy luhrs down here!

[jawz12]

clarks landing yacht sales had an office in ocean city nj...at the time,they sent a considerible amount of work my way.the luhrs boats were,and continue to be some of the biggest junk floating...the factory actually had a team of gus who traveled around repairing the void problems in their hulls

that's an embarrasment to the company,the fact they couldn't find the cause of that soot problem,and the fact it took this long to find it...didn't anyone ever run this rig ???

[OCcaptain]

clarks landing yacht sales had an office in ocean city nj...at the time,they sent a considerible amount of work my way.the luhrs boats were,and continue to be some of the biggest junk floating...the factory actually had a team of gus who traveled around repairing the void problems in their hulls

that's an embarrasment to the company,the fact they couldn't find the cause of that soot problem,and the fact it took this long to find it...didn't anyone ever run this rig ???

I just assumed that the sooting problem was inherant in the design of the boat. Every Luhr's owner/operator I ever talked to said they had the same problem. Who would have guessed that the manufacturer forgot to put any ventilation into the engine room Last year when the aftercoolers were dirty It was so bad that unless it was fixed I didn't want to be on the boat again. Jim and Keith from Alltackle ran it for while. They were still putting a few charters on it up to last year. Other than the sooting problem we have not had any major issues with the boat. PM me if you want more info.

[tom s]

FWIW,I have no soot on my boat when I run the blowers?Luhrs sent me a couple X tra hump hoses and a complete port exhaust system.I have not changed it out as it looks exactly like the one on the boat where the hose hooks up.I just think it is a design problem with the water defuser.I have had to spend thousands of dollars on gelcoat repair where areas of yellow have come to the surface.First time it happened they payed for it but long out of warrant now.Lets face it,they are no a Viking,Cabo or a Hatteras,they are a second level cheaply made boat.I can go on for hours about the poor quality of workman ship.One big issue I had was terrible creaking when the boat was on the anchor.They sent a guy out to completly refasten the lower stateroom where it was just screwed together with too short of screws.Tom