Vetus M4.55 Classic Turbo Inboard Marine Diesel Engine

Description

Need extra displacement punch to fight fierce river currents without increasing engine compartment dimensions? The Vetus M4.55 Classic Turbo Marine Diesel Engine packs a 4-Cylinder 1.8L turbocharged layout producing 47.0BHP continuous output at 2,800 RPM. Boat owners must provide high-volume combustion air ventilation and inspect the water-jacketed exhaust elbow for mineral scale every 500 operating hours.

Heavy ASTM gray iron metallurgy forms the parent-bore monobloc block and overhead-valve cylinder head. The 12V negative ground electrical system includes a 2.0 kW starter motor and a 95A marine alternator. Dry mass spans 342 lbs without reduction gears. The physical chassis envelope requires 28.3in length, 18.9in width, and 23.2in height, supported by a lube oil sump holding 1.27 US gal of diesel oil.

Key Features of Vetus M4.55

Classic cruiser skippers buy Vetus M4.55 classic turbo marine diesel engines to secure high continuous cruising speeds in displacement hulls. The package streamlines commercial workboat diesel engine repower installations by mounting to existing engine stringer foundations.

• Turbocharger unit increases intake air density to produce 47.0BHP continuous output at 2,800 RPM.
• Bosch-type mechanical in-line fuel injection pump maintains strict cylinder metering under load.
• Water-cooled exhaust elbow reduces engine room radiant heat to protect onboard equipment.
• Tubular heat exchanger stabilizes closed-circuit coolant temperatures during heavy towing runs.
• Dedicated bellhousing connects with flexible marine dampers matching ZF 25M transmissions.
• Marine 95A alternator provides dependable charging power for domestic and navigation battery banks.
• Rigid cast iron engine block suppresses combustion vibration across the cruising RPM band.

Dynamometer Turbo Testing Thermal Parameters

Dynamometer load cell certification confirms 47.0BHP continuous output and 92 ft-lbs of shaft torque at 2,800 RPM, peaking at 52.0BHP at 3,000 RPM. Turbo boost pressure stabilizes at 0.75 bar across sustained high-load running. Exhaust pyrometer temperatures remain under 1,010°F ahead of the water-injected exhaust mixer elbow. The closed-circuit freshwater loop stabilizes at 182°F through the tubular heat exchanger under continuous full-load testing. Main journal oil pressure holds steady at 55 PSI at cruising RPM, with journal runout verified within 0.0004in TIR.

Field Operation Controls Installation Boundaries

Mechanical control cables require 4 lbs of linear force to advance the internal fuel rack across the governor band. This turbocharged diesel is not designed for high-speed planing launches, ultra-light dinghies, or craft lacking high-flow engine room air induction vents. Never select this commercial workboat diesel engine repower for displacement hulls exceeding 42ft or vessels unable to maintain adequate raw water suction volume.

• Drain engine lube oil and replace spin-on oil filters every 150 operating hours.
• Inspect raw water pump impellers and replace sacrificial zinc anodes every 12 months.
• Measure and adjust mechanical overhead valve clearances to 0.010in cold every 500 operating hours.

Factory Warranty Marine Crate Manifest

Vetus backs this classic turbocharged powertrain with a 3-Year limited marine manufacturer warranty. The factory export crate contains the bobtail diesel engine, 12V 2.0 kW starter, 95A alternator, four flexible engine mounts, wiring harness, basic instrument display panel, oil pressure switch, and complete technical operator manuals.