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Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board
Re: DILEMMA
Posted By: Vic Roy In Response To: Re: DILEMMA (bruce)
Date: Wednesday, 13 April 2005, at 6:52 p.m.
Al - as has been said, these are real simple engines. I have the 6BTA 250's with over 2,000 hours. The simple checks some reprinted from my prior post about the 210's are good for the 250's as well. As Bruce says, an oil anylysis is a good idea, and follow his advice on taking it. Probably the main thing you will be looking for there is excessive glycol (anti-freeze) in the oil, an indication of manifold or head gasket issues, and possibly an aftercooler coolant leak.
If you can independently verify the engines only have 1200 hours on them (look at owner's manual notes pages, log book, invoices for any dealer work, they will usually put the hours, and look at the date of entry), you are headed in the right direction, then determine the date of manufacture of the engines. If they have been in the B31 from new, then you eliminate the hi hour commercial boat engines that some have been screwed with as "low hour takeouts". Track the history of owners - has it been in daily charter use, or always a rec. boat? All Cummins engines have a serial # and a CPL #. The CPL is short for Complete Parts List, or what's bolted on the engine - water pump, injector pump, fuel lift pump, what size and make of injectors, etc. Cummins has a great database where every engine they built in modern times is listed. Just call up their factory customer service with your engine serial #s and CPL (actually, if you have good serial #s they will give you the CPL) and ask for the info. Any Cummins dealer can do it on line for you too. If your nose for b.s. tells you that the age and hours are in line with what you see - no heavy rust, no hoses soft and cracked, etc - have been told by the owner and/or broker, then run the sea trial tests described in my prior post. If you know someone, mechanic or not, that is familiar with these engines, get them to go along. Because these engines are so simple and reliable, there has to be a huge, obvious sore thumb to red flag them. I'll be happy to come do it myself, no charge. Will bring my heat gun, and other tools and help you do it. Just have a limo pick me up at the airport, and make sure it has clear drinks in the back. Don't waste money on an engine survey on these chunks of iron until you have done your own detective work and it all passes the b.s. test. Or to save limo fare, call me at my office, 800 260 9908 and I'll walk you thru it.
UV
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