I am looking for some guidance on a used boat purchase for a 1990 diesel equipped boat. Both engines have around 900 hours and some substantial work has been performed on them years back. The starboard engine was found to have broken rings. The cylinder head, exhaust manifold, and turbo were all damaged and subsequently repaired (2007). The port engine experience low oil pressure and upon inspection found sending unit bushing leaking heavily. Found #2 cylinder scored and others damaged due to oil extracting from bushing (2011). Since that time, I am told the boat has run well. I have never owned diesels and was looking for some guidance on whether to pursue the boat any further. Thanks for all feedback.
Diesel Question - Should I run the other way?
- Thread starter buckeye
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- May 27, 2010
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Need more info what motors, etc
Sounds like they have been trouble free for eleven years so if the boat is what you want and the price is fair then the next thing to do would be to have the motors inspect3d by a qualified diesel technician who is familiar and certified with that particular brand of diesels.
That’s something you should have done with the motors in any boat your considering buying anyway.
That’s something you should have done with the motors in any boat your considering buying anyway.
Really tough to get a fair assessment of 28 year old motors on the Internet based on the info you have other than 900 hours is nothing on diesels.
You have some prior repair history dating back to 2007 and 2011 with apparently no issues since that time.
That’s probably more info than you would have on most motors in any other 28 year old boat you would consider.
The most important thing is not what is likely an incomplete repair history, but what the current condition of the motors is. That can only really be done by mechanical testing and fluid sampling by qualified technicians and labs.
If you really like the boat and price then I would pay a certified DD tech to survey the motors. If the motors survey okay then the next step would be a hull survey.
You have some prior repair history dating back to 2007 and 2011 with apparently no issues since that time.
That’s probably more info than you would have on most motors in any other 28 year old boat you would consider.
The most important thing is not what is likely an incomplete repair history, but what the current condition of the motors is. That can only really be done by mechanical testing and fluid sampling by qualified technicians and labs.
If you really like the boat and price then I would pay a certified DD tech to survey the motors. If the motors survey okay then the next step would be a hull survey.
- Joined
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You will have to have a mechanic that pulls the inspection covers and reviews the cylinders. When we sold our boat (it had Covington 6-71 TIs rated at 390 or 410HP. They pulled the covers (they are under the exhaust manifold) on every cylinder and took a peak. Most of the cross hatch was gone. Not that this matters much since they had 2000 hours on them.
Make sure an oil sample is taken but if they have changed the oil prior to the sample it will probably mask results that include higher levels of anti-freeze in the oil. This contamination can happen due to cylinder head/block seals (yes they have them as well as gaskets) or leaky injector tubes (not the injector but the tube in the head the injector slides into).
If the oil is very dark and black that is normal and indicates they have been run for some hours after a change. If the oil looks like it just came out of the pail it certainly was recently changed.
I think 485 was the highest HP they were marinized to. Food for thought. That is above the 1 hp per cu inch line that many associate with problems.
Make sure an oil sample is taken but if they have changed the oil prior to the sample it will probably mask results that include higher levels of anti-freeze in the oil. This contamination can happen due to cylinder head/block seals (yes they have them as well as gaskets) or leaky injector tubes (not the injector but the tube in the head the injector slides into).
If the oil is very dark and black that is normal and indicates they have been run for some hours after a change. If the oil looks like it just came out of the pail it certainly was recently changed.
I think 485 was the highest HP they were marinized to. Food for thought. That is above the 1 hp per cu inch line that many associate with problems.
- Joined
- May 27, 2010
- RO Number
- 32171
- Messages
- 766
I have those motors in my Hatteras, they are pretty bulletproof. Have a good engine survey done
- Joined
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Hard to tell. 485hp is a lot of power out of a 6-71... if they were pushed hard that may explain the wear also 900 hours in 28 years isn’t much so sitting could have taken its toll
How many hours since the repairs?
If the boat is a great deal I s do an engine survey first as others have suggested but if it is not, or if there are others on the market it may not be worth spending money on a survey
Do they smoke for a while on a cold start?
If you make an offer, put in a sea trial prior to survey to see how the boat runs before you spend money.
How many hours since the repairs?
If the boat is a great deal I s do an engine survey first as others have suggested but if it is not, or if there are others on the market it may not be worth spending money on a survey
Do they smoke for a while on a cold start?
If you make an offer, put in a sea trial prior to survey to see how the boat runs before you spend money.
