Pre-purchase – 1997 6CTA8.3M – advice?

[Tony]

Hi all

Next week I am getting a pre-purchase survey done on a boat in Australia. This will be my first boat… so it is a big leap!

It is a 1997 Riviera 39 with twin Cummins 6CTA8.3M – just over 900 hours. I have some service records from the broker for the past few years, but it is not comprehensive.

It is due for a service and there is no record of the cooling system being done in the past few years.

I am getting a hull and engine survey test done with sea trial. It has Flow Scan fitted.

I am after suggestions about what to look for, what to test and anything else you guys have for me. I have told the survey guy that we will only do oil samples if it gets the nod from his other inspections and taking it for a run.

Pictures are not great, but they are all I have of the engine room.

Thanks in advance !

Tony

Topic

[Tony]

Hi Tony

So – to boil that info down on the other engine – are they a thumbs up, or thumbs down? I know that maintenance will be the real factor for me, but otherwise?

Are they really a 450hp engine or not? And does it matter? Any issues with servicing them or parts, etc?

Much appreciated – I will get the right number for the other one and see if I can get some better pictures before I head over.

Cheers

Tony

[Tony Athens]

I knew something was odd based on the little bit I saw of the valve cover.. These are just 2 of a just a handful pre-Bosch 6CTA 8.3 “450”s that Cummins made just before the release of the m-3’s that used the Bosch Injection pump.. Actually, I have never had a serial number of one to look over, but I knew there were “pumped” up 420′ with the same CPL ( very ODD for Cummins to not change the CPL on a different engine rating)…

This serial is bad–45399593– Check it again..

Anyway, you have a Nippon Denso EP9 fuel system–Very high quality but not as “sociable” as to idling/adjusting characteristics..

I am thinking you also have an “upside down seawater pump”..Another odd arrangement..

As to what matters right now? Your aftercooler and the what it looks like inside of the exhaust outlet of your turbo..

Tony

[Tony]

Sorry – and engine numbers as supplied:

Port – 45399593
Stb – 45395370

Cheers!

Tony

[Tony]

Hi Rob and Tony – thanks heaps for responding !

I will be up there (boat is in Sydney, I am in Tasmania…) on Monday and will get heaps of pics before the survey on Tuesday. Anything else I should get a pictures of in particular?

Rob – you mentioned that I included a picture of the strainer – I did not know that (this is what you are dealing with here – I am starting from zero knowledge!). I am mechanically ‘interested’ and a tinkerer, but no experience with boats or diesels at all.

What I have in the records:

Nov 2012 – oil, oil filter, fuel filters, impeller inspected, 6 pencil zincs. Generator oil and filter.
Feb 2014 – anodes, engine and gear oil, oil filters, coolant filters, fuel filters
April 2015 – overhaul turbos and ceramic coated elbows
June 2015 – (maybe same time they replaced the turbos? as gaskets and 390031 bolts included?) air filters, oil filters, anodes, coolant, ‘cummins paint’ (is it bad that things get touched up? the mechanic mentioned that when I spoke with him a while ago – when he does a major service he paints anywhere required as protection)
Sep 2016 – non-OEM raw water pump fitted – only one. Gen-set by the looks of it
Sep 2017 – service included engine room detail and corrosion protection (cummins paint). engine oil, coolant, zincs, filters, 1 air filter replace and one serviceable, impeller x 1

I have not spoken with the mechanic since a price was agreed and I decided to fly up. I will call him again and get more details.

Thanks gents!!

Tony

[Tony Athens]

Let’s get at least one engine serial number, good pics of the aftercooler and one of the injection pump & seawater pump area..

The starboard side will be easiest to snap decent pics…………..Hurry!..

Tony

[Rob Schepis]

Looks like someone cared enough to keep things “externally” nice with corrosion spray and grease. But there is also evidence of some paint work…………

Cooling service not done in the past few years in itself is not overly alarming as to the time interval. What you really need to know is exactly what was done a few years ago and exactly how it was done. Especially the aftercooler. Do read the articles here on aftercooler maintenance so you know what the aftercooler is all about as to proper servicing and it’s construction and potential failure. The service protocol here on the website is the only way to keep them going for years to come. Really good pictures of the upper and lower caps of each aftercooler can get us “some” insight as to their condition and but there really are “unknowns” until they are put on the bench and pulled apart.

Since you include the pic of the strainer it does not look like a freshwater flush has been installed unless it is tied in elsewhere.

The turbo is not protected with a dry riser and internal salt water damage is more likely than not. We have a few members here with Riviera’s who have first hand knowledge of this.

The discoloration of the turbo and air pipe seems about normal for a C engine. Since she’s FloScan equipped you can get fuel burn data throughout the rpm range and compare to the Cummins printed data. But you would be counting on the FloScan system being properly calibrated which is not a given. Be 100% sure to get the tachometers verified by one of the surveyors, make the boat as heavy as reasonably possible, especially if she’s light on fuel now (add people and water, both are free on seatrial day) and be sure to verify wide open throttle RPM on the sea trial.

I guess a cold start is going to be out of the question since it’s summer down your way but at least be sure the boat sat overnight without being run and no form of engine or engine room heat.

Anything other than zincs, impellers and fluid changes in those maintenance records? Raw water pumps, turbos or heads ever been off? That raw water elbow has been off which at least should allow the removal of the 4 bolts without too much trouble.

More pictures are needed.

[Author]

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