Engine hours

HappyKamper

HappyKamper

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As of now I have 800 hours on my 2005 Merc 496 engines. I have a Formula 37PC. I'm thinking of upgrading in my boat in 2 years? In 2 years I will have over 900 hours. Do you think I will have a tough time selling my boat with those kind of hours?
 
No, not unless you coincidentally don't winterrize properly this winter and crack the block.
 
Are the engines FWC or RWC and operated in FW or SW? You have all the maintenance records showing you adhered to Merc's recommended schedule , right?

If FWC and proper maintenance was performed , 800 is still pretty low hours.

FWIW-I had '88 carbed FWC Crusader 5.7's in SW that had 2700+ hrs on them and still ran OK when I replaced them in 2003 with new FWC Crusader 5.7L MPI's that now have 2800+ hrs on them too. May have to replace soon just due to a mysteriously faulty irreplaceable wiring harness on 1 of them though.
 
Sandy- That's a lot of hours. I'm in NY and yes they are FW cooled. They have been well maintained and look very clean.
 
Doug- Sounds good & if they are MPI engines, the engine scans would be good support they are in good shape for a prospective buyer. They would include actual total hours and those run at reach 1000 rpm increments since the original commissioning and of course any un-erased code alerts plus all the normal-running diagnostic parameter data. All helpful to both seller & buyer on a good running engine
 
FWC Crusader 5.7L MPI's that now have 2800+ hrs on them

WOW - That made me feel good! I have the same engines, 2001. At and 'only' 800 hours, I was starting to wonder. I do burn about a quart of oil if I run for about 8hrs hard / on plane. I think that's acceptable, what do you guys think?
 
I sold my last boat with over 1000 hours on 454 FW cooled Crusaders. That was 10 years ago, the boat now has over 1400 hrs on those engines and they are still running fine.

It's all about maintenance and not beating the hell out of them.
 
Walshie IMO you are doing great. Just keep the water out. IMO marine engines rarely wear out they die from water ingestion or bad gas or rusting valves or rings from not being used. Use the boat often and it will live a long life.
 
FIXED IT FOR YOU: Use the boat often and both you and the boat will live a long life.
 
quote:
Originally posted by WALSHIE

FWC Crusader 5.7L MPI's that now have 2800+ hrs on them

WOW - That made me feel good! I have the same engines, 2001. At and 'only' 800 hours, I was starting to wonder. I do burn about a quart of oil if I run for about 8hrs hard / on plane. I think that's acceptable, what do you guys think?

Click to expand...


I guess it's acceptable as long as you check it during that 8 hrs and don't let it get below the hash marks.

Those are pretty small engines for a 33' pretty heavy boat.
Between my 2 engines I'd say they don't burn a qt. total in 50+ hrs boat run time after 17 yrs /2800+ hrs. .

Do you know what your present attainable WOT RPM is with normal load and full tanks?

You might check the plugs and think about a compression test since oil is likely getting past the rings ( but maybe stem seals?)

Have you checked all the oil lines and oil filter and oil cooler for any possible leaks. ( Any bilge water sheen or in the b. pump discharge?)
 
Yes, I have checked for leaks. I removed, had heads re-built a couple of years ago so, I'm guessing it would be rings if anything.

Yes, at 16,800 pounds, the boat feels underpowered, its frustrating. I cruise at 3800 rpm at about 18.5mph (ranges from 17-20 depending on tide) and burn 30gph total

I definitely keep the engines tuned up, looking for extra mileage. I even media blasted and re-painted the bottom this spring, didn't help. Next I plan on getting a fuel flow meter to find the sweet spot. Actually, I will start a thread on that.
 
More important is ability to momentarily presently attain 5000 rpm at WOT under full normal load. Much less than that and the props are over-pitched and engines overloaded which can contribute to oil burn and high cylinder temps and related wear and reduced longevity. .
 
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