Considering buying a boat with a Mercedes Nanny of 1986 vintage

[islanderpaul]

Hi all, Just getting back to boating after a fifteen year hiatus (go figure) and at 72 years old and retired, I'm not looking to do any long distance cruising... pretty much just local day sailing. I am considering purchasing a 1986 Fairweather Mariner 39 with a Mercedes OM636 of the same vintage. No hour meter on the yacht but has approx 675-690 hours as reported by the seller. Does anyone out there have an opinion or info on the reliability of these engines? Also any info on cost to rebuild would be helpful as well. Thanks.

[Simi 60]

What makes you think it will need a rebuild in your lifetime?

A lot of info here.
OM636 Diesel Engine Spares

And more here

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=...30.jsp6U1FlhSE

[slug]

Originally Posted by islanderpaul

Hi all, Just getting back to boating after a fifteen year hiatus (go figure) and at 72 years old and retired, I'm not looking to do any long distance cruising... pretty much just local day sailing. I am considering purchasing a 1986 Fairweather Mariner 39 with a Mercedes OM636 of the same vintage. No hour meter on the yacht but has approx 675-690 hours as reported by the seller. Does anyone out there have an opinion or info on the reliability of these engines? Also any info on cost to rebuild would be helpful as well. Thanks.

Great engines

I’ve seen them run 30,000 hours

Normally diesels are simple robust pieces of equipment , it’s the added on components Heat exchangers , exhaust manifolds ,,, that fail with age ... not engine hours

Look carefully , these components are very expensive