380SD Exhaust Siphoning

W

Warren Davis

Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
RO Number
25481
Messages
3
I am considering the purchase of a 380SD and read ad after ad about boats with warrantee replaced gas engines and exhaust systems. A cause for concern! Comments?
 
I believe the 380 had the same issues as the 310 in 2001 and prior models. The issue was the old style log-muffler exhaust system causing water ingestion. Some owners were lucky enough to catch this early enough and get the engines and/or exhaust replaced under warranty. The exhaust was replaced with the new barrel-type water-lift mufflers. I know that the new exhaust was installed on the 310s in the factory in the middle of 2001, not sure about the 380. If you intend on buying one with the old style exhaust, just have a good mechanical survey performed to check for compression, etc. The 370 had the same issue. I know two 370 owners, one had his engines/exhaust replaced and one is doing fine with over 500 hrs.
 
From 1999 through mid year 2001, the 380DA (sundancer)with gas engines, had the 7.4's. Most had the 380HP Horizions, but early on the 7.4 MPI 310HP version was also used. Late in 2001, the 8.1S Horizion's replaced the 7.4s as the standard gas engine.

As TJ said above, many 380DAs with the 7.4s, before being retrofitted with the modified exhaust, experienced water ingestion issues. The exhaust modifications, in order to be complete, needed three modifications: addition of the water lift mufflers, addition of a 3-4" riser between the manifolds and the elbows, and a conversion which added the manfolds to the Closed cooling ciruit. Not all that were modified included the manifold mod.

All 2001 and later 380DAs equipped with the 8.1s came from the factory with the new exhaust.
 
I really do appreciate the feedback guys! This is very valuable information to me as I search for a new boat pending the sale of our sailboat. We have always owned sailboats with diesel engines and I am obviously on a new learning curve in moving to power. I had considered calling SR but doubted that I would get straight answers on this question. In fact, I have heard rumours about confidentuality agreements being required for this type of warrantee work. Do you happen to know if this exhaust issue occurred with Cat diesel engines on the 380? Warren
 
I just traded in my 2002 380DA with 8.1s for a 410DA with CAT Diesels (3126TA 350HP)a few months ago. I remember when I was looking for the 380, I went through the same type of research you are doing now. My post above, is from my own personal experiece.

A good friend and neighbor sold his 2003 380DA with the CAT diesels last summer. To my knowledge, the 380DA with diesels did not have the same exhaust issue. However the CAT 3116/3126's in the 380DA's have had some of their own issues that you will need to research. By now any 380s with the CATs have been updated and should be fine.

Either way, have a potential boat hull surveyed and if a diesel 380, have a certified CAT Technician survey the engines.

Good luck with your search....the 380DA is a great boat....
 
Thanks for the personal insights Dominic - it really doesn't get any better! I think that just about "exhausts" (pun intended) the water intrusion issue for me. But while I have your attention - can you provide any insight into how I might find a clean, well cared for 380DA? Living in Toronto I am a long way from the prime market for these boats. The internet is OK but the images often can't be relied upon and I need to find a broker or advocate in the U.S. who could give me a helping hand.. Please feel free to reach me via e-mail at wldavis**cogeco.ca if you have any ideas or useful contacts. How did you sell your 380 for instance?
Appreciated,
Warren
 
quote:
Originally posted by TJackson

The 370 had the same issue. I know two 370 owners, one had his engines/exhaust replaced and one is doing fine with over 500 hrs.

Click to expand...


Was this problem only with 7,4 MPI or also with the 7,4 "Carburator" ?
 
I am not sure, but the issue was with the exhaust configuration, not the engine. The old style exhaust and the absence of a spacer in between the elbow and the manifold made it more of a chance for water intrusion into the engine. Those are the things that were changed in the middle of 2001. As I stated in the post, some owners have had no problems with the older configuration, yet some have. I don't want it sound like every boat with that configuration had problems. I am only speaking from experiences from people I know and also the research I did when I searched for my 310, which had the same issues prior to 2001, and that was with the 350 MAG v-drives. I have heard from someone at my local dealer that it is worth the money to replace the old style exhaust system with the new if you still have it, just for preventative measures.
 
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