Westerbeke 4.5 KW is KAPUTT!!!

[Odayssea]

Last year my Westerbeke 4.5 KW (original with the 2000 340 DA) was frozen up. The marina maintenance guy said it was the starter, charged to put on a new starter but it didn't work and he said there was nothing more he could do. I don't use it much and just left it alone the rest of the season. Now I had it serviced at another marina; they opened it up and said there was water damage and that it had not been properly winterized before (i.e. by my home marina the year before last). I had it pulled and sent to a local machine shop and they said the catalytic converter had disintegrated, water entered and it requires a complete rebuild at a cost of $5,300 not including the removal and installation. WOW! Question: Does this make sense? Does getting it rebuilt make sense or should I replace it with a new generator? I have not been able to find a rebuilt replacment to compare prices; the 4.5 is no longer available so a new replacemenet Westerbeke is a 5.0 low profile but online prices are $6,700 and up. I can live without a genset but for resale I would need one anyway so I need to look around more or else bite the bullet and let the machine shop rebuild it. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[wvsundancer]

There has to be a used unit at a marine supply house that you can get for under 5K.

 

[capecodcruiser]

go to ebay and search "marine generator" or "westerbeke". I was looking for one a few months ago and found a guy in Florida that had all kinds of used ones. He was very communicative and the prices weren't bad. Good luck

 

[rondds]

Catalytic Converter???

 

[dpmulvey]

Catalytic Converter???

+1

Call Engines1

3504 Shipwright Street - Portsmouth, VA - 23703
Office: 757-673-7200 - Fax: -673-7211

They sometimes have reconditioned units for much less than new with a warranty. It's hit or miss.

See if W'beke has a locator service for reconditioned units.

 

[sr330daguy]

Catalytic Converter???

Yes,just inside exhaust elbow.

 

[rcknecht]

There is no catalytic converter in the 4.5 BCGB Westerbeke... I hydolocked mine and complete rebuilt it... I put in new pistons connecting rods and bearings and other things... Its $2K for parts from Westerbeke. $3,600 for an engine Assembly it you pull the the genny an reinstall yourself. You need to call the Westerbeke regional distributor for your area... Mine is in Marblehead, Ma... I think you are covered by a place in Baltimore... But go the Westerbeke home page and find out who that is. You could have a local distributor near you. I would ask you Regional distributor who is good near you. It will cost you about $5k or for and installed rebuilt engine assembly, but the local dealer will try to talk you into a new 5KW generator... The 4.5 BCBG is not make anymore... If I were you, and you plan on keep the boat, go with the new generator... BTW that cost about $7K installed...

 

[tobnpr]

If it's only 2K diff between a rebuilt v. new with warranty, it's a no-brainer.

Finding a "used" genset that's not a piece of junk is a tall order.
If it was in good shape, whoever owned it wouldn't have pulled it in the first place.

Not like mains where someone wants more power, etc. and decides to "upgrade". If a gen works and makes electricity, that's all you care about.

Usually, the only worthwhile used gensets are the RTO's that come out of boat doing a gas to diesel conversion. But those are usually larger, in the 6kw-8kw range.

 

[Odayssea]

I've been looking for used and rebuilt 4.5's without luck so far. I agree if there is under $2,000 price difference then a new unit is a no brainer. Not yet sure if a new 5.0 will fit, though I am sure the low profile 5.0 will. Any thoughts? Meanwhile I will continue to search for a rebuilt 4.5.

 

[rcknecht]

I've been looking for used and rebuilt 4.5's without luck so far. I agree if there is under $2,000 price difference then a new unit is a no brainer. Not yet sure if a new 5.0 will fit, though I am sure the low profile 5.0 will. Any thoughts? Meanwhile I will continue to search for a rebuilt 4.5.

It fits... It’s smaller than your 4.5... Need to have a reputable Westerbeke dealer do the install...

 

[Odayssea]

I got a dealer direct 5.0 low profile for under $6,300 so I will do that. It does not sound like there is much to the install so I will have my local mechanic do after I first check with a Westerbeke dealer about the install recommendation. Thanks