Westerbeke genny durability ?

[Rxflyer]

I don't have any qualms about seeing 1300 hrs on a Cat or Cummins engine, but how about the durability of the Westerbeke diesel genset ? Can you expect a siimilar long life from a diesel genny, or is there a 'magic' number where you might start 'wondering' about it ?

 

[fwebster]

Westerbekes are almost bullet proof. They are very elemental and quite simple from a mechanical design standpoint. So much so that there is nothing (over simplification) to break. Most westerbekes failures are due to poor maintenance, leaks from overhead, or owners ignorance. You have a lot more risk with propulsion engines than with the Westerbeke.

 

[Jackie J V]

Biggest issue I've had is parts availability. My guess is that the situation is better in the U.S., however it is hard to get parts up here in the Great White North. Took me a month last year to get a repair kit for the water pump. I was even willing to fork out more $ to get the full pump as I had a vacation trip looming. A close boating friend had a similar experience in 2009 - which led to him having to go through our entire two week trip without a gennie. I believe though that this is due to the distributorship model here. Otherwise, actual generator performance has been rock solid.

Paul

 

[fwebster]

Westerbeke parts resources are limited here as well. There is very limited discounting and even though a dealer advertises parts, most end up ordering most everything but the high turnover replaceables.

 

[StevenDavid]

RPM diesel in Fort Lauderdale has everything Westerbeke. I've never had to wait more than a day. It is not uncommon for diesel Westerbekes to see more than 10,000 hours. I'm at 2,900 hours on a 1998 12.5 BTDA. Only failure was an exhaust manifold, and it was only leaking at the riser. Other than that, change the oil and filter at 100 hrs, change the RACOR every 100 hours, and the Westerbeke fuel filter every other oil change. Water pumps are the weak point and cost about $350, I usually lose an impeller blade every 12 months or so. I carry spare water pumps on board and just schedule to change every December. (either impeller or pump). If you can't get a part in Canada just e mail me and I'll be happy to pick it up for you. I'm by their service center at I-95 and SR 84 at least once per week.
Steve

 

[Turtlesboat]

I've got 3800 hours on mine and it's still running.

 

[Jackie J V]

Thanks Steve. I may have to take you up on that someday!

See...that's what this forum is about. Not the abuse from yesterday :smt021, regardless how entertaining :smt001

Paul

 

[Skuza]

Ok what about gas versions? I can appreciate the simplicity. I mean honestly if you do the maintenance and don't abuse it what can go wrong?

 

[fc3]

The gas engine is a Mitsubishi 3GC or something like that. Like most Japanese engines, it uses a rubber timing belt to turn the overhead camshaft. It's a bit of a pain in the butt to change, but it's doable for the average mechanic. The timing belt turns the balance shaft as well as the camshaft. The procedure for setting the belt timing in the manual must be followed to the letter. The means reading the directions in the service manual until you understand the process and then following the process exact step by step. Shortcuts are expensive.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[StevenDavid]

No problem Paul, if I can ever help, let me know. I do most of the maintenance myself so have unfortunately gotten to know about every vendor for anything on my boat $$$$

 

[Bottom Line]

Westerbekes are almost bullet proof. They are very elemental and quite simple from a mechanical design standpoint. So much so that there is nothing (over simplification) to break. Most westerbekes failures are due to poor maintenance, leaks from overhead, or owners ignorance. You have a lot more risk with propulsion engines than with the Westerbeke.

Frank....would Westerbekes be preferred over Kohler in gas models? I currently have a Kohler, and have no complaints. I have noticed in some listing pictures I have been looking at (at least in 2003 360Da) some have Kohler's and some have Westerbekes.

 

[terminaldegree]

Although I am a novice when it comes to generators, in our family's limited experience (2 gas Kohlers, 2 gas Westerbekes), we very much preferred the Westerbekes. Quieter (1800 rpm vs 3600), no problems... I think one of them was running a little rough once, but just "exercising" it for a nice long run smoothed it out. Our current Kohler has been a bit more troublesome, but it hasn't been run much and may have some deferred maintenance.

 

[fwebster]

Jeff,

I don't have enough experience with gas generators to base an opinion on personal experience. I can tell you that the marina (also a Sea Ray dealer) where we keep our boat seems to have a lot more problems serious generator problems now that Sea Ray has changed to Kohler.

All of them Kohler, Westerbeke, Quicksilver, etc, are plagued with fuel quality problems if they are not run under load regularly. The older Onans are loud and look like they came off Noah's Ark, but they don't seem to have fuel problems like the newer generators do.

Not much help on your original question , but that's what I know.

 

[390x]

As far as gas generators, I've got a Westerbeke, my parent's boat has an Onan, and i'm intimately acquainted with these units. My Westerbeke is far less temperamental than their Onan, but the Onan is still pretty good. The guy across from me has an '08 4 or 5kw Kohler, can't remember which. He's had nothing but problems with the ECU on it. It will start and run by itself, or not shut off, or sometimes not start. It's all attributed to the ECU. The dealer has come out 10+ times to try and make it right. It's always reading an error code or something. They did the exhaust update on it which was supposed to stop an error about overheating...it didn't. It's a shame they can't get it right because when it runs, it's quiet and smooth. Based on his experience, I'll keep my fossil Westerbeke. It always starts and runs smoothly and it doesn't try to be smarter than me. My friend had an older Kohler that he literally threw away a few years ago and replaced with a Westerbeke, and he's never looked back. So I don't give the impression that I'm anti-Kohler, my uncle's 8kw Kohler diesel runs like a champ.

 

[Asureyez]

I'm running an 8KW BTDA and its a reliable work horse. Trouble spots, alternator is impossible to service and $350 to replace, When the Alt goes the whole mess just stops so a intermittent failure creates a constant shut down issue. I had to run the wiring diagrams several times to fix the gremlin. At 2000 hours I replaced all the cut out switches. I've acid washed the raw water system every 600 hours or so if the HE looks like its got some build up, but frankly The last time I did it just because, I needed to clean the riser elbow and had the Barnacle Buster acid out.

Also, the ports for the raw water intake are very small and can clog with grass that gets by the strainer. Raw water pump, change the impeller every 250 hours or annually. The blades seem to wear more than I'd expected.

My regular services is so simple it is crazy. Check the belt and tighten if loose, check the zinc and replace as needed, check coolant volume and chemistry, top up if needed; change the racor every 500 hours or annually, change the last chance filter annually, Change the impeller every 250 hours. The whole run through for the year takes maybe 1.5 hours or less including the oil changes. Costs next to nothing in parts, perhaps a $100 bucks. I change the oil every 150 hours. I'd go back with a Westerbeke Diesel genset in a heart beat.

I had a 3 Cyl. Yanmar diesel in a Kohler and it was a fine, but noisey machine. It alwasy started and ran flawlessly, 9 years and 6000 hours and it never used a tablespoon of oil. But that is diesels. Keep the oil clean and fuel clean, and the system cooled and you almost never have failures.