SeaNile
Well-Known Member
Been boating my entire life and as far back as I can remember it seems like some (maybe us on these groups) are constantly worrying about the what if's, analyzing every tiny thing about their engine, examining what comes out of the exhaust ports, is it steam, smoke, if smoke what color smoke. Is it blue grey or grey blue, is there a hint of white in there, etc.
Yes I absolutely realize the wealth of information that can be gathered by looking at all of examples mentioned above so I am not dismissing the use of diagnosing issues.
Thinking back to the mid 80's in with outboards and VRO for oil injection. People were blocking off the oil injection shafts and still going with straight mix 50:1, etc. out of fear of the oil pump shaft breaking and therefore cooking an engine.
I/we are surrounded by millions of diesel engines. Are these truckers, farmers and every other boat owner out there as obsessed as we on on this and other forums?
My personal example, 90's the Cummins 4bta in some model boats were over propped causing many issues, the 3208 in 435hp was a "granade" waiting to explode, run away from Man engines, more recently the 3126 is a soft block engine, the 450 Cummins drops valves....I could go on and on with examples. Does that mean we avoid all 4bta, 3208 435hp, 3126 and 450 engines??
Why am I asking this? Because when it comes to boat shopping it seems like every engine out there has issues. Are you telling me every 450/480 Cummins owner out there is stressed about the issues? Or it is ignorance is bliss?
Now I ask this also admitting in my entire life of boating I have avoided any issues with my boats or engines. I'm sure if I personally experienced and the kick to the wallet of a dropped valve and head replacement I wouldn't even be thinking of all this stuff.
I just struggle to think that every owner of these engines is as concerned as we are. Don't most of these owners just fire up their truck/large equipment/boat and go on with their day? Or does every owner get back to the dock, see a bit of soot on the transom and go "WTF is up with my engine" and then go crazy looking for things that could be wrong.
I want to get to the boat, be confident in my purchase, start up the engines and enjoy my day.
Paralysis by analysis when it comes to shopping for a boat/engine.
Yes I absolutely realize the wealth of information that can be gathered by looking at all of examples mentioned above so I am not dismissing the use of diagnosing issues.
Thinking back to the mid 80's in with outboards and VRO for oil injection. People were blocking off the oil injection shafts and still going with straight mix 50:1, etc. out of fear of the oil pump shaft breaking and therefore cooking an engine.
I/we are surrounded by millions of diesel engines. Are these truckers, farmers and every other boat owner out there as obsessed as we on on this and other forums?
My personal example, 90's the Cummins 4bta in some model boats were over propped causing many issues, the 3208 in 435hp was a "granade" waiting to explode, run away from Man engines, more recently the 3126 is a soft block engine, the 450 Cummins drops valves....I could go on and on with examples. Does that mean we avoid all 4bta, 3208 435hp, 3126 and 450 engines??
Why am I asking this? Because when it comes to boat shopping it seems like every engine out there has issues. Are you telling me every 450/480 Cummins owner out there is stressed about the issues? Or it is ignorance is bliss?
Now I ask this also admitting in my entire life of boating I have avoided any issues with my boats or engines. I'm sure if I personally experienced and the kick to the wallet of a dropped valve and head replacement I wouldn't even be thinking of all this stuff.
I just struggle to think that every owner of these engines is as concerned as we are. Don't most of these owners just fire up their truck/large equipment/boat and go on with their day? Or does every owner get back to the dock, see a bit of soot on the transom and go "WTF is up with my engine" and then go crazy looking for things that could be wrong.
I want to get to the boat, be confident in my purchase, start up the engines and enjoy my day.
Paralysis by analysis when it comes to shopping for a boat/engine.