First start in 5-6 years?

[blindhog]

I’m looking at a boat with Cummins 300c’s and it has been sitting for 5-6 years on a lift.  Looking for recommendations, tips, etc on best procedures to run through prior to starting.  I’ve heard everything from just fire them up and go to add penetratingly oil to the cylinders for a week then see what happens.  Once I know they will fire up then I am planning on going through all the maintenance items and service everything so I can feel comfortable with the motors but any advice for the initial startup would be appreciated.

Topic

[Neto]

before you start it, go through all hoses and clamps, loose them and tight them again that way you can remove any rusted ones. Make sure you dont have any leaks before leaving.

1 user thanked author for this post.

blindhog

[blindhog]

port turbo locked up and bolts rusted off on riser flange. Riser broke in half upon inspection at a weld point so that will need to be fixed. We unplugged the fuel solenoid and the motors spun over and sounded ok. Plan is to replace oil filters, new turbos, fix the port riser and fire them up for the ride home at idle, only about seven mile trip, then start working on the maintenance items once back in the home slip. 

[donald roth]

The exhaust system is poorly engineered, and if it sat with salt water in it for years, there’s a strong likelihood that damage has  been done to the turbos and into the motors.      Have you tried to rotate the motors by hand?

[1969Roamer46]

That riser doesn’t sound good at all. If it’s rusted off from the turbo, might be safe to presume rust is inside the turbo, too. You won’t know until you get eyeballs on it.

As for starting the engines, I’d bring a big crescent wrench and put it on the nut for the alternator belt pulley, and give it a turn. That should give you good leverage to turn the engine over by hand. If it doesn’t turn, don’t try it with the starter. Something isn’t right.

I rotate the 6CTAs on my Roamer project boat every few months that way just to make sure things stay moving. I use a socket, but I don’t recall what size it is (19mm???). A big crescent will do the trick. If it rotates by hand, I’d check the fuel filters. If the fuel looks good, I’d just hit the key or start button and see what happens.

There are old equipment fans out there who find and restore ag equipment that’s been sitting in the field for decades. Their golden rule seems to be, if it turns by hand and has compression, start ’em up!

1 user thanked author for this post.

blindhog

[blindhog]

Taking one last look tomorrow am to make a final decision. Anything else that I might need to pay close attention?

[blindhog]

Sorry for the delayed response – here is the engine room. All the sound deadening material fell off and is all over the place and the engines need a good paint job but I’m very optimistic I can get the engine room back into shape.  I know the port turbo is rusted off from the riser – this is my biggest concern especially after reading about the water intrusion from the risers not having a proper rise. <br /><br />

 

[Tony Athens]

Take some really good pics of the engines from all around——Let’s “see” what type on environment they have been vacationing in.

1 user thanked author for this post.

blindhog

[blindhog]

Took a look again today and confirmed motors are 6bta 330’s, not 300c’s fwiw. 

[Author]

Replies