Water intrusion problem on Sundancers '99-'02 timeframe

[bradley]

I was just checking out another forum site (yachtforums.com) poking around for info on 340 Sundancers. Came across what was described as "a well known issue" regarding water intrusion through the exhaust system, causing 4,5 even 6 engine replacements :wow: Riser set-up, bad engineering etc.?? Anybody familar with this. They referenced 99-02, I have been researching a lot of bots in this time frame and this is one of the first alarming things I have come across.

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/sea-ray-yacht/9646-sea-ray-sundancer-340-comparison-370-a.html

 

[skolbe]

Not a huge issue with 340's but folks have had the exhaust system retrofitted. The 310's are the boats that had more of an issue. Read that link and 6 engine replacements are not the norm. The 340 is one of Sea Ray's best boats.

 

[mwph]

I've spent a lot of time looking for 310's, 330's & information pertaining to them. CSR is loaded with posts on the ingestion issue. So I'd say, yes, it is "well known". Use the advanced search feature & you'll find plenty of reading. A word of caution; there is a lot of speculation & varying opinions, but a lot can be learned from reading the threads. I know I did.

I have, on occasion, hoped I'd find one that needs to be re powered. Add the new exhaust system components in the "retrofitted" configuration. But that my or may not happen.

 

[Larry]

There was a huge issue with these boats, specificly the ones that were powered with the Horizon motors (380 HP as opossed to the standard 310 HP), there is hundreds of pages of info on this topic if you do a quick search. The short version is that if the motors are running today and have good compresion I would assume the updates have been done...

What was needed is the following:

Change the log style exhaust to the lift style mufflers.
3" riser spacer blocks between the elbows and the manifolds.
Some they even converted the manifolds to fresh water cooling.

(take note of my motors above, I have some experience with these engines!)

 

[bradley]

Good info. Thanks. I will continue to research and now at least know what to look out for.

 

[bradley]

Any chance you have a picture of what that looks like in the engine compartment? I am not the most savy mechanical/technical person, but want to be able to spot the update when crawling around used boats.

 

[370Dancer]

No picture needed. Log style exhaust is where the exhaust hoses go directly to the underwater tube. There will be lots of space aft of the engines. Lift style mufflers have a tank mounted in thet space. Looks like a cylinder, with the exhaust hoses going into it, and a hose coming out to the underwater exhaust tube. In both cases, there is a smaller hose connecting to the side exhaust vents.
Go to yachtworld.com, look up the boat you are looking for, and view a few listings with engine pictures. It will become clear.

 

[Larry]

Go through the archives here, someone posted some good pictures awhile back. Just keep searching "water intrusion" or "Exhaust modification", "log style exhaust", "lift style exhaust"

 

[searay495]

I have an 02 340 and had the water ingestion problem. Realized this 2 months after buying the boat, and having a survey done prior to purchase. Needless to say I wasn't happy. After many conversations with Searay and Mercruiser, I along with my mechanic convinced Searay and Mercruiser to pay for the parts/motors, and I was responsible for the labor. Still cost me $5000 plus, but a fraction of what it would have cost. There are Mercruiser bulletins available if you need ammunition. Good luck and be persistant if you need replacement.