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Hi All,
After two failed purchase attempts this winter due to inspection issues, I am on attempt #3.
I have stumbled on a well-kept boat that had a starboard engine failure (severe overheat) and subsequently replaced about 75ish running hours ago (April 2019). At the same time, the starboard engine was replaced the owner had the mechanic go through the top end of the port engine and did a bunch of maintenance on all of the components to include all of the coolers (I have the work orders in hand and annual maintenance for 2020). I am having a hard time getting an engine surveyor, but I have a deep mechanical background (dad’s RV business and then US Air Force) and I decided that on engines without an ECM there isn’t much to be done but oil samples, a thorough once over for leaks, and using my borescope to take a look at as much as I can during the survey (will bring a few tools and see if I can peak at compressor and impeller on the turbo and at the inlet of the aftercooler). I have a good hull surveyor who will pull the oils samples, so I am going to go Han Solo on the engines, transmissions, and generator.
As a former aircraft and vehicle/RV mechanic, what am I going to miss that a marine mechanic would know to look for? My intuition tells me the exhaust is my biggest blind spot, but are there other things I need to look at on the 6CTAs?
Thx in advance and hopefully I get to add a boat to my profile soon!
Kevin
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Vessel Name: Tenacious
Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
Location: Long Island, NY
Country: USA
Those images were captured with this cheapo unit – have had it for years and it works great for stuff like this or seeing in hard to reach places…
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYTHWK4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Vessel Name: Tenacious
Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
Location: Long Island, NY
Country: USA
You can scope the zinc ports of the aftercooler and heat exchanger. Here’s some example shots.
The gear cooler just pull the hoses and look at the tube bundles.
If all was done one year ago maybe it is just a failing hose that could be fatigued from prior high pressure exposure due to past blockages.1 user thanked author for this post.
Vessel Name: Tenacious
Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
Location: Long Island, NY
Country: USA
Glad she’s home. Bulging seawater hoses at that location are indicative of seawater circuit blockages, starting at the aftercooler. Do your due diligence…..
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some thoughts on spares from another SR owner
Kevin,
I would have a spares stash of ALL filters, Belt(s) and impellers. Also fresh oil if you have the space. I also learned last year it is a good idea to have 1 or more spares of the Rule 2000 bilge pump and the appropriate electrical and mechanical tools to swap that out. Your engine room will most likely have 3 like ours does(and did). Those plastic mounts can get brittle over time. Found that out the hard way. Those were hard to find in Northern Michigan last summer. Bought one from a random couple at a marina in Tawas City and added an assorted 6-pack for good will. Oh Yeah…….. Extra cash and beer! Always nice to have some extra currency to “grease the skids” as it were…….
The way I have always done the impellers is change them every season. The impellers that come out are usually in good condition so those become the spares and then new ones go in. I rotate the stock at each change. The current spares gets tossed, the current ones come out and are now the spares and new ones go in. The guy we bought the 460 from did it this way as well.
Keep a spares bin of as much stuff as you can as parts are hard to come by in a pinch. It is always better to have the part and just need some helping hands. Helping hands seem to be relatively easy to find.
Towboat unlimited gold insurance………. IMO Worth every penny each year.
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Vessel Name: Tenacious
Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
Location: Long Island, NY
Country: USA
LF is lube oil filter
FF is fuel filter
FS is also fuel filter (fuel strainer)See pic – your FF is boxed in blue, LF in green
Do not prefill the spin-ons.
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Vessel Name: Tenacious
Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
Location: Long Island, NY
Country: USA
That is good Kevin that the boat is seeing regular use. That should help limit the chance of surprises coming up. One thing about fuel though is that what is getting picked up in the tanks can change if the sea state gets heavy. Not sure if you’ve done a Racor filter change or not. You may wish to do a swap before the trip to get familiar and no you are starting cleaning. Bring plenty of pig mat and a pair of safety ear muffs so you can check things along the way.
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Fuel filters….on engine and Racors. Do you know how old the fuel in the boat is? If not sure, bring many…..and bring 2 of everything.
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