Start A4 while on the hard?

[kwaltersmi]

Wow, you've just made me more apprehensive then ever to even consider this boat with an A4 that's been sitting for a few years. Thanks Val!

Seriously, thanks for the info. Sounds like a lot of work for me as a potential buyer just to see if she'll fire up.

[jaschrumpf]

Ah, but those old A4s will give you years of life if you take care of them.

What's been written so far might seem arcane and complex, but if you look the comments over you'll realize that the A4 is a very basic gasoline engine that even a weekend mechanic can maintain. If you've ever tuned up a '70s or earlier American car engine the A4 will look very familiar to you.

Would you attempt to start any engine that's been sitting for a few years without making sure it had good oil and gas, good wires and a good battery?

If all you really want to do is see if the engine will start, don't even worry about the impeller. If it starts you'll know right away and the first two minutes running dry won't hurt a thing. Replacing an impeller on an A4 is a 15 minute job anyway, depending on your access.

Don't be scared off by the A4. Do you know anything more about a diesel?

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by kwaltersmi

Wow, you've just made me more apprehensive then ever to even consider this boat with an A4 that's been sitting for a few years. Thanks Val!

Seriously, thanks for the info. Sounds like a lot of work for me as a potential buyer just to see if she'll fire up.

If you consider a gas driven engine - the A4 is the way to go. If you are even apprehensive / mechanically challenged - go diesel. I have done both and the diesel is way more forgiving IMHO...and the maintenance is cookie cutter even for someone not mechanically inclined. My 2 cents (and glad I own a Yanmar diesel)

[Valiente]

The A4 is such an appropriate engine for sailboats under 35 that there's a guy making new ones. If you, like most sailors, motor until you get head to wind for 10 minutes and then switch off, and then motor 15 minutes to your mooring or dock, then the A4 is more appropriate than a diesel in many ways.