Yanmar Reliability/Comments on 6LP 6LPA 6LP2A STE Motors and Kanzaki Transmissions

[JDowns]

Hi everyone,

I have a 33 Tiara Open with 7.4 liter Crusaders. One of my engines need to be rebuilt, but I can replace them with rebuilt Yanmar 6LP STE 315hp motors with Kanzaki transmissions for similar cost. Not being familiar with these motors, I was wondering if the group had good/bad or ugly experiences with these motors.

Sincerely,

John Downs

 

[DavidM]

I am amazed that the cost of rebuilding a pair of Crusader gassers is the same as replacing with rebuilt Yanmar 6LPs.

I would have guessed that the Yanmars would cost twice what the Crusaders cost, not considering the substantial extra installation cost of the Yanmars.

But if your numbers are even close to being right, go for the Yanmars. They are a very substantial marine engine.

David

 

[Mainship Pilot]

Don't know anything about Kanzaki tranny's, but the 6LPA is a solid performer, good for many thousands of hours of service, higher RPM engines. I agree with David, how are you replacing Crusaders for 6lps's for approximatly the same cost? Also doing fuel tanks, lines, racor's, ect ect. Hard to believe, but hope your right!

 

[Mark Laurnen]

I have twin 6LPA-STPs and could not be happier. The peace of mind knowing you are not riding atop hundreds of gallons of high explosive is of immeasurable value.

 

[adornato]

Get it in writing. and maybe hire a lawyer now before it gets serious. LOL

 

[Sailinggod]

Hi everyone,

I have a 33 Tiara Open with 7.4 liter Crusaders. One of my engines need to be rebuilt, but I can replace them with rebuilt Yanmar 6LP STE 315hp motors with Kanzaki transmissions for similar cost. Not being familiar with these motors, I was wondering if the group had good/bad or ugly experiences with these motors.

Sincerely,

John Downs

My experience with the 6LPA in my Mainship was very good. I was told they are the same diesel as found in the Toyota Land Cruiser but a marinade version. Having left it over the winter in the Pacific Northwest it would start immediately every year. Just try to find out if they have been well maintained and they should last many many hours.

 

[rgano]

I also have the 6LPA-STP 315 HP Yanmar, and I think it is an excellent engine based on the Toyota Land cruiser straight six diesel block (not sold in US). My information is that the -STE is a 300 HP engine in production from 1997-2001. The "A" indicates the engine was assembled in the USA from US sourced components.

I spent a lot of years with naturally aspirated Ford Lehman 120 HP engines and the last nine years with my 6LPA-STP have been a learnning experience as I learned to care and feed a turbo-charged engine running at around 3000 RPM for normal cruise. It is much easier to mistreat this Yanmar than the old rock crusher Lehmans. The first maintenance I had performed on my ten-year-old engine with only 450 hours was to change the timing belt and service the intercooler tube bundle to satisfy myself that the engine would not be suffering some catastrophic failure before I got used to it. Installation of EGT and boost gauges as well as an engine alarm indicator panel (rather than the single anonymous buzzer) have given me the tools I need to assure the engine is running well.

Follow the recommended maintenance schedule and run it at 80% load as much as possible to have a happy Yanmar.

 

[DavidM]

Note in Rich’s post above, re changing the camshaft belt in accordance with Yanmar’s scheduled maintenance. If you let it go and the belt breaks it will scramble the valves, an expensive fix.

That is the one idiosyncrasy of that engine that I am aware of. Change the belt and you will be fine for thousands of hours.

David

 

[Mainship Pilot]

I also have the 6LPA-STP 315 HP Yanmar, and I think it is an excellent engine based on the Toyota Land cruiser straight six diesel block (not sold in US). My information is that the -STE is a 300 HP engine in production from 1997-2001. The "A" indicates the engine was assembled in the USA from US sourced components.

I spent a lot of years with naturally aspirated Ford Lehman 120 HP engines and the last nine years with my 6LPA-STP have been a learnning experience as I learned to care and feed a turbo-charged engine running at around 3000 RPM for normal cruise. It is much easier to mistreat this Yanmar than the old rock crusher Lehmans. The first maintenance I had performed on my ten-year-old engine with only 450 hours was to change the timing belt and service the intercooler tube bundle to satisfy myself that the engine would not be suffering some catastrophic failure before I got used to it. Installation of EGT and boost gauges as well as an engine alarm indicator panel (rather than the single anonymous buzzer) have given me the tools I need to assure the engine is running well.

Follow the recommended maintenance schedule and run it at 80% load as much as possible to have a happy Yanmar.

Agree Rich, Belt and iintercooler are part of my winter projects this year as well as it’s a haul out year for us so whatever else we find when it’s out for bottom paint! I try to run mine at 2800rpms, but sometimes sea, wind and currents have me bump up to 3000 rpms, plus we are towing a 325# console style dingy behind us to an from the 26 mile crossing to Catalina.

 

[rgano]

Note in Rich’s post above, re changing the camshaft belt in accordance with Yanmar’s scheduled maintenance. If you let it go and the belt breaks it will scramble the valves, an expensive fix.

That is the one idiosyncrasy of that engine that I am aware of. Change the belt and you will be fine for thousands of hours.

David

And of course the old belt looked like it was new in the box, but I was happy to have new.

 

[tiltrider1]

I can’t imagine how a crusader rebuild could come close to the cost of purchasing and installing the Yanmar.

Yes I would prefer the Yanmar over a big block gasser. Crusaders are the best of the gassers but in the end it’s chest a Chevy.