Engines are the Worst
The Original 1978 Yanmar 3QH30 Engine
Engines are one of those necessary evils when it comes to cruising. I’m sure most sailors will tell you they did not get into sailing because they enjoy working on diesel engines. In fact, most outsource the maintenance of their engine to the experts who do enjoy working on engines. Then, sailors can focus on the quiet enjoyment of feeling the wind through their sails.
Samba’s engine is an original Yanmar model 3QM30. How do I know this? Because I’ve spent the last 4 hours calling every Yanmar parts dealer in the country looking for an exhaust manifold assembly for this exact engine. Note: if you have part #721370-13500 please, please, please reach out to us. I will give you the naming rights to my first born and the secret recipe to my great-grandma’s krumkake. Needless to say, this part no longer exists in the US.
Rust can be seen on the exhaust manifold, where it meets the exhaust elbow
We are parked in Eagles Cove off of Gibson Island, MD and have been for the past three days. Ron and Rick from the Gibson Island Yacht Yard took pity on us and came out to take a look at our exhaust manifold, which has been weeping where the manifold meets the exhaust elbow. The manifold has been rusty since we bought the boat. And since now, everyone we’ve had look at the engine has said the rust not really an issue. However; when it finally starting weeping, while we motored from St. Michaels, we decided it was time to bring in another opinion.
The experts say that once the manifold starts rusting, it’s probably a symptom of a clogged exhaust elbow. And once salt water starts penetrating the manifold itself, there’s a high probability that water can start getting into the engine and cause the entire engine to seize up. This is in addition to the newly found rear main seal oil leak. Which we are told is not critical but doesn’t get better with time. This is not a complicated job, but would cost extra boat bucks because in order to replace the seal, the entire engine would need to be pulled from the boat.
This is not good. So, here we are, so close to the C&D canal and on our way north, and we can’t go any further. We certainly don’t want to be stranded somewhere far from home. So, we have some tough choices to make. We could wait six months for a custom manifold to be made and sent from Japan, with the understanding that some other part on the engine could fail and also be discontinued. Or we can throw in the towel and buy a new engine.
Our view from our anchorage, overlooking a horse farm at Gibson Island
We are so close. We’ve quit our jobs, sold the condo, sold the car, provisioned, moved all of our stuff onto the boat, done all the boat projects, only to be stopped so close to getting started. What would you do if you were in our position? Would you just keep driving the engine with the understanding it could fail any moment? Would you wait six months and go back to work while you wait? Or would you say, screw it, what’s a few more boat bucks, and just go ahead and start fresh with a new engine?
Before we decide, we are taking the day to go for a swim, drink some Sailor Jerry, and asking ourselves, “Is it worth it?”
