4 year old boat - engine questions

[Zanshin]

This is prior to a professional survey, but I have taken a lot of pictures of my prospective boat and have just noticed that the engine might have taken a lot of "green" water or might have been partially submerged. The complete electrics look less than a year old, even though the engine is very clean one can see that parts have been spray-painted {hard to tell, but it doesn't look like a factory job since the grey has run just a little bit} and much of the exposed steel has corrosion in evidence. I'm about 1500 miles from the boat now so I can't re-check prior to inspection and I am wondering how significant this might be; is this type of evidence enough for me to want to walk away from the prospective purchase? I've rechecked pictures of other areas under the sole with untreated fiberglass and they show no signs of having been submerged. The sole itself looks original and doesn't seem to have been submerged.

[Bob1112]

The best thing to do is to ask the seller. If they say that there was no immersion, but you are still unsatisfied, see if the seller will give a warrant that will remain in force post-closing that there was no immersion. If the seller is willing, then that should provide some comfort.

[hellosailor]

Agreed, ask the seller exactly what's the story on the engine, if it was replaced, rebuilt, submerged, whatever. Preferably by email or fax so you've got it in writing.

The big question of course is how the engine works and what condition it is in. Often a surveyor will tell you to get a diesel mechanic for a separate engine survey. If the seller says that's not necessary...One of your options is to set aside some money in escrow "pending professional engine survey & repairs if necessary" within 60 days after the sale is completed.

[Valdare]

Is the boat in a Salt water environment? I would think that if it had any exposure to salt air it would show signs of corrosion, or at least discoloring. My boat was in salt water 20 years ago, been in fresh water since but the engine still shows areas when the paint is removed. Engine has been painted a couple of times. Other areas of the boat show the same tell-tale green from the SALT water environment. If you are really concerned a engine survey should satisfy you of it's present condition.;

Good Luck,

John

[Zanshin]

Thanks for the replies!
I got lucky in this case - I contacted my surveyor with the information and some pics (detailed ones from a 8 megapixel camera) and fortunately he is a friend of the mechanic for this boat who confirmed that no such immersion had happened. But the design of this Jeanneau is such that water can leak into the engine compartment and onto the engine. The resulting corrosion is surface only but sometimes the mechanics will do a quick spray over to make the engine look nicer. I'll know more next week when the detailed survey is done but no longer think that an immersion has taken place.