350 Sundancer Survey

[MPL]

Greetings Sea Ray enthusiasts.
I am having a pre purchase engine survey accomplished that will now be going into the second day. Two hours this morning to find why the power lift wouldn't work, corroded wire behind switch. The two surveyors spent the remainder of the day trying the get spark plugs out for a compression check. It is a 2014 350 DA with 8.2l engines and I know it is quite tight in this engine compartment so I understand the difficulty. They have only removed six plugs on one engine before calling it a day. Anyone out there who can give me any tips on access to the plugs short of pulling engines would be greatly appreciated.
Im sure I will seek much more advise if I can ever proceed with this survey.
Thanks in advance, all.

 

[Golfman25]

Sounds to me like you need to find another boat or another surveyor. I realize Sea Ray engine room access can be a challenge, but 6 plugs removed in one day tells me they are either seized (run forest run) or mechanically challenged.

 

[MPL]

Sounds to me like you need to find another boat or another surveyor. I realize Sea Ray engine room access can be a challenge, but 6 plugs removed in one day tells me they are either seized (run forest run) or mechanically challenged.

Unfortunately I wasn't attending personally. I am thinking the same.

 

[stg099]

For real, on such a new boat this should not be a difficult undertaking unless this boat was underwater, lol. I know access can be a challenge under the manifolds but that’s why ratchets have extensions and flex drives. Sounds like you need new surveyors or a new boat to survey

 

[MPL]

Well he came back today (probably with the correct tools) had them out in short order. Compression check accomplished and good numbers. On to the other motor and the remainder of the survey.
Still premature on the report but he mentioned he felt sea water was coming out the weep hole on the raw water pump and possibly slinging raw water around the engine compartment. Isn’t the raw water housing containing the impeller separate from the bearings for the pulley for this type of pump?

 

[sbw1]

I wonder how he got the plugs out or if he just dry labed the numbers. I have seen boats that had a plug or two that never got changed during a tune up because of poor access. Once the plugs had no remaining electrode left and the motor ran poorly, the owner discovers the truth about shoddy previous mechanical work performed on the boat. It is best to be present when surveys are performed.

 

[MPL]

Thanks, I agree with the potential concern. I have a representative attending and am getting video updates so my confidence is high. Hopefully the remainder continues to go well and I can post as a “proud new owner” in a week or two.

 

[scoflaw]

Probably referring to the weep hole on the circulating pump not the RW pump

 

[MPL]

Cant get to one plug port side port engine hidden under manifold. less than two inches between manifold and holding tank. At least I know about the problem.

 

[Soulshine]

ER looks clean. A good sign.

No excuse for not getting a plug out though. Persistence and creativity pay here.

 

[techmitch]

Cant get to one plug port side port engine hidden under manifold. less than two inches between manifold and holding tank. At least I know about the problem.

ER looks clean. A good sign.

No excuse for not getting a plug out though. Persistence and creativity pay here.

Yep. As my old man used to say, "ya gotta be good friends with Persey" ya know, perseverance!
And of course that was always followed by "ya gotta want to fix it!"

 

[MPL]

Surveyor says showing some signs of low time use but overall looking good with minor issues ( old weak batteries, some corroded wire connections, etc. Systems survey and final sea trial next week which I will be able to attend. Any advice on things notorious on Sea Rays to look for?

 

[Soulshine]

Yep. As my old man used to say, "ya gotta be good friends with Persey" ya know, perseverance!
And of course that was always followed by "ya gotta want to fix it!"

Mine used to say “Apply heat” which still works for getting pretty much any bitchy thing loose.