Yanmar scheduled maintenance

[Capt. Stu]

I own a Yanmar 315 horse engine with just over 1100 operating hours on it. A review of the owner's manual reveals a pretty hefty list of things to accomplish, which I'll detail below:

wash engine oil cooler
clean fresh water cooling passages
replace raw water impeller (done twice since new)
replace timing belt
adjust & lap valves (done once since new)
check & adjust fuel injection timing, pressure & atomization
wash turbo

I checked with a local mechanic & he's quoting over $4,000 to perform this work (bear in mind the timing belt replacement is the most costly component). Is this work really needed or am I getting ripped off? The engine is operating just fine now. As an aside, I can buy a brand new engine with zero hours for just over $18,000, it just seems that spending 25% of the cost of a new engine to maintain an old one is kind of high. For example, if you owned a car worth $10,000 & it needed $2,500 in repairs would you foot the bill or trade the car in? The car wouldn't be worth $2,500 more after this anymore than my boat will be worth $4,000 more after this maintenance. Am I wrong here?

Stuart
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[clunan1]

Which Yanmar do you have? I have the 6LY UTE (315hp) and I think somwhere in the manual it says replace timing belt, but my model is actually timing gears. It lead me to believe that it was a generic service schedule for Yamnar and you applied what you motor required. Maybe???

[Capt. Stu]

Mine is a 2007 6LPA model.......

[seapower]

Nope they're not kidding. I'd say you're looking at it the wrong way myself. You may be able to buy another engine, but figure in the removal and re-installation to get a more accurate number. I'm not knocking the engine's, (they have their place) but they aren't your daddy's diesel. Frank

[billschwabe]

Sure, you can skip the recommended maintenance but you'd better start saving for that new engine now and make sure your tow insurance stays paid up!

If you wanted to save money, many of those items can be do it yourselfers but leave the inector rack, valve adj. and timing belt to the pros. Diesels are a long term engine IF you take care of them, if you just turn the key, expect problems. 1100 hours, how long did it take to get those hours? 4 years? if so, tht's only $1k per year on average. Not so bad an investment for a reliable engine to get you and your family or charters home safely every day when you think about it.

[Capt. Stu]

Frank & Bill:

Thanks for your replies & opinions. You've both given me an alteration of my thinking. I've no intention of doing any of this myself, I confine myself to oil & filter changes, I'll have a pro mechanic perform the timing belt change, inter/after cooler cleanings & "run the rack".

Stuart