Engine life, diesel and gas?

[no name yet]

Does anyone have any knowledge with the life expectations with gas and diesel engines?

I currently own a 2002 360 Sea Ray Sundancer with Merc 8.1 (370 HP) engines with 300 hours on them. What is a realistic life expectation from these engines?

Also, I have been searching for a larger boat and I have found a 2003 410 Sea Ray Sundancer with Cat 3126 (340 HP) diesel engines with 750 hours on them.

I think I can buy the 410 Sundancer reasonable, however, I do not want to save reasonable money today so I can spend big money on repair bills later. Also, are these engines adequate power for this boat?

Any advice or experience will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your help,

Kirk

 

[oldboy]

I know engines. And Cat makes a good engine. There is a reason comercial boats use diesel engines. "They last". And you might save on fuel cost.

 

[Hoboat]

Conventional wisdom is that gasoline marine engines will last about 1,500 hours and diesels will last 3,500 hours plus if properly maintained. Oldboy is right--my 460 hp diesels get the same mpg as my old 300 hp gassers in a boat that is 10 feet longer and eight thousand of pounds heavier. And at the marinas diesel is cheaper than gas since marine diesel is not subject to the Hwy use fuel tax.

 

[tobnpr]

I purchased a 390 EC powered by CAT diesels last fall. Second time out (very first time since bringing her home) a hose clamp failed and I had a catastrophic loss of coolant. Temp alarm does not sound when coolant is lost, didn't know of overheat until it was nearly too late. After a few grand in repairs (melted hoses, oil lines)the engine miraculously checked out OK, the mechanic said he'd never seen one get so hot w/out blowing head gaskets or having the rings fail. Before we knew we were OK, I (with stomach in my throat)asked what a rebuild would cost, if necessary. I nearly choked when he told me in the neighborhood of $20,000. This is my first diesel boat, and I love the range and speed I get; this boat with big blocks is a PIG. With that said- be aware that big boats with big diesels CAN come with big repair bills. I believe Pascoe has an article to that effect on his website. Throw a rod through the block on a CAT and be prepared to spend some BIG bucks...

 

[divedaddy]

Pascoe does have two good article posted on his website. Goggle "Pascoe Gas Versus Diesel" and it should be the two links at the top. Read both.

Here in our warm Gulf waters the general wisdom is gas engines are 900 - 1000 hrs if raw water cooled, 1200-1500 hrs if FWC. My next door dock mate just lost an engine end of last summer -- 22 years and ~2,000 hours, Crusader 454's, raw water cooled. Most think that is pretty amazing down here.

Edit: I wanted to find this thread that covered a lot of ground on diesel engine expected lifetime. I found it - see
http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=96499