Detroit 8.2T

B

bushwood

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2004
RO Number
15839
Messages
130
I'm looking at a boat with twin DD 8.2 Turbos with 4300 hours. It is documented that she will reach WOT and gets phenomenal economy. However, the owner (personal friend) said he just checked oil and at 50 hours, he has now had to add "2 cups" of oil, not quarts or pints, but cups, on the port engine.

I have been over to boatdiesel to do some reading but have not joined yet. The 8.2 doesn't seem to be a favorite. Is the adding of oil a precursor of something to this particular Detroit? I know at 4300 hours, we are at or near mid-life but she has had good care for 1000 hours. Oil samples show normal wear.

I haven't owned a diesel boat so I have no idea if this is normal or that engine is getting tired.

Thanks
 
Diesels usually use a little oil. If anything that sounds low
 
I am also curious about the 8.2L DD's. I'm on that forum as well they tend to like the newer diesels. The 8.2 DD's came in numerous configurations. Has your friend kept any of the service records on the engines? Have they ever been serviced by a factory authorized tech?
Bill
 
An important factor in any engine life is often the hardest to determine,how hard they worked. Puttering along at low loads they will last far longer that pedal to the metal operation.
 
I know that if they are on a long cruise, they will stay out of the turbo for the most part. However, in saying that, he is diligent in cranking the engines up to their 80% range every 1.5 hours and running for half an hour at 80% then backing it down. By doing this, he is averaging 3.7 gallons/hr for both. This is a 10-12 kt cruise in a 43' Tolly. A diesel mechanic told him this was OK as long as he works the turbo.

In their ownership, they have probably put 1000 hours. Prior to purchase, an oil analysis was done and showed normal wear. Every year since, he has had an analysis done with same results. He is a little concerned or at least his attention is drawn to the use of oil to an engine. It is a minimal amount, but nevertheless....Is 4300 hours on a lower hp diesel still in the mid life range-given acceptable oil analysis, etc?
 
This sounds like a wonderful boat. I'd be all over it if I were you. A Tolly with diesels A+!
Bill
 
Bill,

We are going to purchase it. I'm just going through withdrawals from selling our boat at the beginning of boating season (June) and craving any and all info on boats. I need an 'avenue' to put my energy (which is boating) so I seek info on our pending purchase.
 
You might want to google up "8.2 detroit diesel issues"
 
2 cups at 50 hours isn't much.

10 to 12 kts is not a good cruise speed on a boat that size. At 12kts the boat isn't on plane and the engines will be loaded up pushing a big wave...also burning 3 times the fuel they d burn at 8kts. Not a huge deal if they are propped right (do they turn rated rpm at wot?) but I wouldn't consider the engines to have had an was life
 
My boat will plane at 12 knots the break out point for my hull is 10.8 knots below 13 knots she wants to drop on and off of plane. At 13 knots I can stay on plane all day long without much throttle. It all depends on the hull design and weight distribution of the boat.
Bill
 
Maybe but you have a lighter hull and gas engines... A lot less weight than a diesel Tolly
 
We had a single DD 8.2T (Johnson & Towers) in our '87 Mainship III. Obviously a different application, compared to a Tolly with twins... but in any case we liked the engine well enough.

The only problem we ever had was one time with some leakage at the heat exchanger, and we learned there had been a recall to refit that... but the previous owner hadn't seen the recall notice (nor had we), so it hadn't been done. Easy fix.

Sorry can't add much useful info otherwise...

-Chris
 
Bill: I too am surprised at that low speed. Do you have an unusually flat bottom???
 
My hull config is 18 degrees modified V. Although the aft hull is stepped it's hard to explain without pictures. I have verified these speeds time and time again. These numbers are at slack tide and without wind. This is with all tanks full except the waste tank.
Bill
 
I had a nice-talk me off the ledge conversation, with the folks at Tacoma Diesel today. This boat's temps are good. Tacoma Diesel was able to explain the head gasket/warp issues that plagued this engine model which I bought into. As long as the engines are maintained and gauges watched, the engines will outlive us. I've come across this advice for every boat we have owned and I have become OCD with maintenance and gauge watching. Knock on wood, no breakdowns to report as of yet.....
 
Then the only question is about parts and service availability for the next ten years
 
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