Preventive maintenance for (new to me) 4.3L V6?

[BHA]

Hello,

I have recently purchased a boat with a 4.3 V6 Mercruiser. I had an older boat with the 3.0LX and I knew my way around that motor pretty well (replace starter, slave solenoid, etc.). The 4.3 V6 is brand new to me.

Engine has approximately 100 hours on it, and it is a 2006. The guy who has been servicing the boat said "the boat hasn't been used much, so I've only really been doing oil changes on it".

I don't want to find out a few years down the road that there were "recommended" items I should have changed that would make it last longer, or that there are common faults I should have just fixed in the first place. For example, my Mercruiser had a flaky starter when I got it (it was the old really heavy kind) and I bought the new style for only $60 and replaced it. WAY better starter. Also would have replaced the slave solenoid and alternator belt "in hindsight" if I knew then what know now.

So here's my list for the 4.3 V6... what am I missing?

-Replace drive lube
-Engine oil change (last time it was done was spring of last year.. it has been a whole year)
-Spark plugs, cap, rotor.. should I just leave these for now? They only have 100 hrs on them.....
-Exhaust flapper... do these fail like the Mercruiser ones? Should I check mine and/or replace it now?
-Fuel filter.. is there one? Boat is TKS/carburated (not MPI fuel injected)
-Run some kind of fuel cleaner (I use Techron in all my cars) to keep the carb clean?
-Look at belt.. I believe it's a serpentine belt.. check for cracks and replace if necessary so I'm not stranded (more likely due to age cracks than usage, I suspect)
-Battery -- will have to look at this but if it's original to the boat from 2006, I'll replace it right away! If not, I'll use the boat for the rest of this summer and then buy a fresh one for next year.

Any other thoughts? Common problem areas I don't know about like the 3.0 slave solenoid, 3.0 starters, etc, etc.?

I'd like to run the boat for the next 3-4 years with only oil and drive lube changes (and a quick look over the engine/fluid level check every spring). I would rather replace parts now than try to do it piece by piece .. I have access to a garage and tools now, but the boat will be out of town and/or in the water from now on, so it's MUCH easier to get a part and swap it now than later on.

Thanks!

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Preventive maintenance for (new to me) 4.3L V6?

Hello,

I have recently purchased a boat with a 4.3 V6 Mercruiser. I had an older boat with the 3.0LX and I knew my way around that motor pretty well (replace starter, slave solenoid, etc.). The 4.3 V6 is brand new to me.

Engine has approximately 100 hours on it, and it is a 2006. The guy who has been servicing the boat said "the boat hasn't been used much, so I've only really been doing oil changes on it".

I don't want to find out a few years down the road that there were "recommended" items I should have changed that would make it last longer, or that there are common faults I should have just fixed in the first place. For example, my Mercruiser had a flaky starter when I got it (it was the old really heavy kind) and I bought the new style for only $60 and replaced it. WAY better starter. Also would have replaced the slave solenoid and alternator belt "in hindsight" if I knew then what know now.

So here's my list for the 4.3 V6... what am I missing?

-Replace drive lube
-Engine oil change (last time it was done was spring of last year.. it has been a whole year)
-Spark plugs, cap, rotor.. should I just leave these for now? They only have 100 hrs on them.....
-Exhaust flapper... do these fail like the Mercruiser ones? Should I check mine and/or replace it now?
-Fuel filter.. is there one? Boat is TKS/carburated (not MPI fuel injected)
-Run some kind of fuel cleaner (I use Techron in all my cars) to keep the carb clean?
-Look at belt.. I believe it's a serpentine belt.. check for cracks and replace if necessary so I'm not stranded (more likely due to age cracks than usage, I suspect)
-Battery -- will have to look at this but if it's original to the boat from 2006, I'll replace it right away! If not, I'll use the boat for the rest of this summer and then buy a fresh one for next year.

Any other thoughts? Common problem areas I don't know about like the 3.0 slave solenoid, 3.0 starters, etc, etc.?

I'd like to run the boat for the next 3-4 years with only oil and drive lube changes (and a quick look over the engine/fluid level check every spring). I would rather replace parts now than try to do it piece by piece .. I have access to a garage and tools now, but the boat will be out of town and/or in the water from now on, so it's MUCH easier to get a part and swap it now than later on.

Thanks!

That sounds all well and good. But you're missing the big one.... Change the impeller!!
As far as if your boat has a fuel filter, that will be something you need to determine. If it doesn't, you would really be doing your self a service to install a fuel/water separator.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Re: Preventive maintenance for (new to me) 4.3L V6?

One thing that you might want to add to your list is that all the bellows on the outdrive should be replaced about every 6 years and it will need annual service as well.

An annual winterization is key also ( includes a fuel filter typically ). The top 2 posts in this section are always thier and have lot of useful info including winterization procedures.

The experts on this site may have added ideas as well.

 

[Don S]

Re: Preventive maintenance for (new to me) 4.3L V6?

Get the serial numbers from your engine and drive (Which drive?).
Impeller kit every 3 years if Alpha drive, every other year if Bravo.
Alignemtment check and bellows inspection yearly.
Water separating fuel filter on the engine is standard equipment on all but the 3.0L engine.
The gear lube monitor should be cleaned out each time the drive lube is changed. Keeps sludge from building in the bottom of the container.
Learn how to drain the cooling system now, while it's warm, so you don't get surprised and panicked when cold weather sets in and you don't know where to start.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Preventive maintenance for (new to me) 4.3L V6?

Also if you replace the serpentine belt, dont throw the old one any, keep it as a spare, on the boat. I always keep my old one in my truck, it got me to a auto parts store from out in no-where land a few years back.

 

[achris]

Re: Preventive maintenance for (new to me) 4.3L V6?

... with a 4.3 V6 Mercruiser. ....Engine has approximately 100 hours on it, and it is a 2006. ...

There is a small possibility you have a problem.

Have a read of this -> http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=373060

Keep checking the front of the sump, and if you get oil.... sorry, welcome to my world. :facepalm:

I'm currently about to put the engine back in my boat for the 9th time (in 3 years). The only real solution is to fit a new timing cover and sump pan. Buy them from a GM dealer NOT Mercury. There are EXACTLY the same and about 1/4 the price. When you do, pull the gasket out of the sump (it's supplied with the gasket already glued in), clean the groove THOROUGHLY with acetone and put a new gasket in with Ultra Blue sealant. DON'T overload the front groove or you'll crack the new cover.... and be very diligent on the area where the cover butts up to the block. There's a potential for a leak unless you seal it properly, (pay my airfare and I'll come over and do it for you...)..

Other than that, one thing I noticed it the circlip holding the oil filter housing adapter to the engine block is only steel, and rusts out really fast. I replaced mine with a stainless one. I also removed every bolt (one at a time) on the drive and coated the threads with 'Aqua-lube' and put them back in before the boat got wet. Particularly the 4 holding the 2 halves of the drive together get a salt build up between them and that breaks the nuts. Also the small ones holding the anodes to the end of the trim rams and the gimbal switches need to be done or they will seize and be a pita to get out, especially when they shear off.

As for the list you have, let's go through it.

Drive lube. Yep, every 3 years (or 300 hours).
Engine oil. I do every 50 hours and the oil filter every 100.
Fuel filter (starboard side of the engine under the manifold at the front) once a year.
Cap and rotor. Mine's the same age, but over 300 hours and they'll stay there for another 6 years as far as I can see.
Spark plugs. These engine's tell you when the plugs need changing. The engine starts to surge (very subtly) at about 2000rpm. When you feel that, change the plugs.
Exhaust shutters. The new style (which you have) are great, no problems there at all.
Belt still looks good on mine and not likely be changed for a good few years.
Batteries (should be using 2, minimum. Very difficult to get out and push), and at 6 years old DEFINITELY replace....

One last thing on the impellers in these drives. My previous engine (also a V6 with a Gen II) ran for over 7 years on each impeller, and the current engine's still spinning the original one. As long as you don't dry-run or suck up heaps of sand, they last a LONG time. Best to check it every couple of years, but if it checks out, why give the thieving bas...ds at Merc money you don't need to?

HTH...

Chris........

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Preventive maintenance for (new to me) 4.3L V6?

Retorque the gimbal ring clamping screws

 

[Don S]

Re: Preventive maintenance for (new to me) 4.3L V6?

And people that understand the systems of the boat can usually go a lot a lot longer on parts because they also know the early warning signs and do something about it before something big happens. Since you seem to be new at this, spend more time on preventive stuff until you learn more about it.