3.0 Mercruiser Life Expectancy?

[chiselchst]

Greetings All,<br /><br />I wanted to hear from those who can shed light on what type of ENGINE life expectancy I can expect from a 3.0 Mercruiser, in a 2,000 lb 19' boat if properly maintained. <br /><br />It is a 2002 with very low hours, and will be operated at no more than 3,400 RPM's for cruising, and used ~90% in fresh water. And flushed when used in brackish or saltwater. Only use will be cruising and fishing...<br /><br />Thanks in advance...!<br />Mitch

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Life Expectancy?

Ohhhh,.... 30 or 40 Years should be No Problem,.........<br />Figure 1000/1500hrs before a Rebuild.........<br /><br />Most boat engines Die from Neglect,.... Or being Frozen,+ Cracked......<br />Very Few ever Wear Out.......

 

[tommays]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Life Expectancy?

at 10 years in saltwater with flushing after every use it still runs like new pushing a pretty heavy 19'cudddy cabin<br /><br />tommays

 

[craze1cars]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Life Expectancy?

Betcha you'll kill the outdrive long before the motor even starts to show wear...

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Life Expectancy?

Being overpropped and running a lot of wide open throttle will also shorten it's life.<br />Being way over propped is actually harder on them than running WOT when propped properly.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Life Expectancy?

You really think that the outdrive will go before the motor? I always thought that the outdrive would be almost bullet proof against what a 3.0 could put out.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Life Expectancy?

Not necessarily...but it seems there's more outdrive issues than engine issues when things go wrong. And I'm sure remanufactured outdrives outsell remanufactured engines by a long shot. Lots of bearings, gears, seals, etc. But, as has already been mentioned, it's usually a maintenance issue....and probably even more often a collision issue. The 3.0 will survive the impact with the rock...the Alpha 1 won't.

 

[trog100]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Life Expectancy?

my 17 year old 3.0l alpha 1 boat still as all its original kit.. i have only owned the boat just over a year and a half.. for the last four years its sat permanently in a freshwater marina.. before that it was a coastal boat..<br /><br />i just replaced the impellor.. lower oil seal in the upperdrive the engine coupler (splines ripped out) and generator belt plus a new prop (rocks).. <br /><br />the guy who had the boat before me.. had the timing cover replaced (rusted out) and once had the prop repaired.. nothing else mechanical..<br /><br />to the best of my knowledge.. the drive had never been off the boat till i took it off.. the old guy who had the boat used to use it for fishing not cruising so i assume it has low engine hours for its age..<br /><br />it all seems to be okay.. the old guy said to me "i believe in fixing things when they need fixing".. he dont have a computer so he certainly dosnt read this place.. he he..<br /><br />either way the boat seems to have survived his "neglect" well enough..<br /><br />trog

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Life Expectancy?

I've had to replace the timing chain cover on my 3.0 liter too. I've seen others where the timing chain cover rots out as well.

 

[olsluggo]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Life Expectancy?

My 1972 Thunderbird came with a 3.0 181 engine and ran for 24 yrs till the head rusted out probably from the salt water.I installed a new short block made in Mexico in 1996 and for the last 2 yrs.it has been nothing but trouble.It has a fuel problem,new fuel pump did not help,apparantly the cam is bad.Motors are the same as anything else,some good some bad,new engine has 114 hours never over 3000 rpm's.