Cummins 6BTA 5.9 Marine Engine Survey x2

Cummins 6BTA5.9 Marine Engine Survey x2, servicing Channel Islands, Ventura and Santa Barbara by trained technicians at 805 Marine Diesel Mechanic

Marine Engine Survey

 

 

 

 

 

Conducted by : Jeff Lendall & Sons. 805 Marine Diesel Mechanic

 

 

     M/V EXSTASEA:

 

                     OFFICIAL#:1061972 LOA:36FT YEAR: 1996 Bayliner

ENGINE 1:

• Engine Make: Cummins
  Engine Model: 6BTA 5.9-M2
  Engine Type: Inboard
  Power HP: 250
  Fuel Type: Diesel
  Hours: 2074
  Serial Number: 452602
  Engine Location: Port

• TRANSMISSION PORT:  Hurth Marine Transmission HSW630 A-1

 

ENGINE 2:

• Engine Make: Cummins

• Engine Model: 6BTA 5.9-M2

• Engine Type: Inboard

• Power HP: 250

• Fuel Type: Diesel

• Hours: 2078 on meter. Rebuilt engine 2018 undetermined hours.

• Serial Number: 4018419

• Engine Location: Starboard
• Transmission starboard:  HURTH Marine Transmission HSW630-A1

 

Engine Room Systems:

FUEL FILTRATION SYSTEM: Racor Twin Fuel Filter/Water Seperator 10 Micron Port & Starboard side filter assembly: Appeared serviceable, No water present. 

THROTTLE & SHIFTER CONTROLS: Morse cable shifters worked properly at flybridge and Main cabin locations.

SEAWATER PUMP: Seals not leaking/no water present. adequate pressure.

TUBE-TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER: checked inlet and outlet flow temperature, within parameters

ENGINE OIL COOLER: checked inlet and outlet temperatures, all within parameters

SEAWATER PUMP OUTLET PRESSURE: adequate pressure

COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR: working properly no leaks observed.

ENGINE MOUNTS AND BED:  Main engine beds are heavy longitudinal stringers inboard and outboard. Engine Mounts Satisfactory

LUBRICATION: Oil Level indication is normal both port and starboard.

LUBE OIL PRESSURE: (WOT) engine 100% load 51 psi. port engine 50 psi starboard engine

COOLING SYSTEM TYPE: Freshwater reservoir type cooling with Seawater cooled wet exhaust, Operated satisfactory.

SEAWATER STRAINERS: 2 inch Groco bronze alloy with sight glass. Appeared serviceable. well maintained

COOLANT LEVEL: Normal levels observed. Pressurized expansion tanks on both engines to 25psi no noticeable drop in pressure. used heat sensing gun on all cooling system surfaces. operated normal.

HOSES AND CLAMPS: Double clamped where sighted.

BELTS AND PULLEYS: Belts & Pulleys condition appeared serviceable

SEACOCKS AND STRAINERS: Seawater seacocks were ball valve type. Operated smooth & satisfactory. 

EXHAUST SYSTEM: Seawater cooled with risers and flexible coupling sections double clamped where sighted. 

ENGINE ALARMS: Test of port and starboard low oil pressure alarm, and coolant overheat warning audible at helm station. Operated satisfactory.

ENGINE SHUT DOWN: electronic style shut off solenoid switches operated satisfactory 

PACKING GLAND STYLE SHAFT SEALS: seem to have adequate lubrication.

ENGINE ALIGNMENT: Appeared Smooth & without vibration.

RUDDERS: Packing gland style, not leaking excessively appeared serviceable. no vibration.

TURBOCHARGERS: no tests performed on turbos, sounded like they spooled up around 1200 RPM and operated satisfactory

HURTH MARINE TRANSMISSIONS: Both performed adequately while shifting no excessive noise or vibration while under way. 

——————————————————————————————-

SEATRIAL REPORT:

1. The engines started without excessive cranking.

2. The engine exhaust appeared normal. very minimal smoke for engines of this age.

3. The cooling water exhaust appeared adequate and normal.

4. The engine instruments operate within normal operating limits at idle, cruising speed and at wide open throttle.

5. The steering system operated normally. very responsive.

6. The throttles operated normally. no adjustment needed

7. The transmissions, both went in & out of gear smooth with no excessive noise

8. The backdown test was satisfactory.

9. both rudder linkage operated smooth while underway, no leaks detected

WOT TEST: (wide open throttle) Starboard engine smoking a little. (blue/white smoke)

 

Recommendations and observations:

1. Port engine turbo charger leaking oil at discharge hose, both engine turbo chargers working but should be rebuilt in the near future. (see photo below)
2. Port & Starboard transmissions currently using ATF, recommend replacing with Delo 30W oil
3. Westerbeke generator working properly but due for a complete service.
4. Starboard side engine seems to be out of alignment, recommend replacing rear motor mounts on both engines and realign propeller shafts
5. Starboard side engine mixing elbow needs to be replaced in the near future, heavily corroded
6. Port transmission shows water in the oil (see analysis below)
7. Starboard transmission shows excessive wear in the oil (see analysis below)
8. Master Marine Diesel Troubleshooting Guide – 805 Marine Diesel Mechanic

Port transmission discoloration water in oil analysis

Starboard engine exhaust mixing elbow corrosion

Turbo chargers original on both engines, need rebuilt in the near future

oil leaking from turbo inlet line

 

OIL ANALYSIS REPORT:

PORT ENGINE CUMMINS 6BTA 5.9:

TIMEOUT Port Engine

 

STARBOARD ENGINE CUMMINS 6BTA 5.9:

TIMEOUT Starboard Engine

 

PORT HURTH TRANSMISSION:

ZF Marine Gear port

 

STARBOARD HURTH TRANSMISSION:

ZF Marine Gear Starboard

 

WESTERBEKE 8KW GENERATOR:

TIMEOUT Westerbeke Generator

Master Marine Diesel Troubleshooting Guide – 805 Marine Diesel Mechanic

MARINE ENGINE SURVEY SUMMARY:

As a result of my investigation, MARINE ENGINE SURVEY, and by virtue of my experience, my opinion is OVERALL ENGINE RATING:  GOOD: the engine room and engines appear to be well maintained. 

 

 

 

• Engine block and cylinder head for cracks, corrosion, or gasket seepage
• Fuel filter, lines, and injection pump for contamination, leaks, or improper alignment
• Cooling system hoses, raw water pump, heat exchanger, and thermostat for blockages and corrosion
• Turbocharger housing, intercooler connections, and mounting brackets for visual damage
• Oil sump, filter housing, and valve covers for oil staining, residue, or gasket failure

1. Oil analysis to detect metal particles, fuel dilution, and coolant intrusion
2. Compression testing of each cylinder to confirm ring and valve seating integrity
3. Borescope examination of pistons, liners, and valve faces for scoring or carbon buildup
4. Sea trial under wide-open-throttle (WOT) conditions to assess real-world power delivery
5. Exhaust gas analysis to measure combustion efficiency and detect excessive smoke

 

This research investigates the elemental composition of wear products and improving additives in used marine engine oils. It confirms that changes in the elemental composition are a valuable source of information for diagnosing the state of marine equipment and identifying potential malfunctions, highlighting oil analysis as a key diagnostic tool.

This research directly supports the article’s discussion on advanced diagnostic tests, specifically oil analysis, for detecting internal wear and performance deviations in marine engines.

• Electronic scan tools to read ECU fault codes and live sensor outputs
• Hand-held borescope cameras for internal cylinder visualization
• Laboratory oil analysis kits for wear-metal and contaminant profiling
• Exhaust gas analyzers to measure particulate levels and combustion efficiency

• Overheating events confirmed by coolant temp spikes and raw water flow anomalies
• Black smoke correlated with high soot readings and injector imbalance codes
• Power loss validated through reduced compression test results and boost pressure deficits

1. Change engine oil and replace filter every 250 engine hours
2. Replace primary and secondary fuel filters at 500 hours
3. Flush and refill coolant, inspect raw water strainer at 1,000 hours

• Aftercooler cores are back-flushed to remove salt deposits and maintain charge-air cooling
• Fuel lines and injectors are cleaned ultrasonically to prevent contamination-driven misfires
• Heat exchanger tubes receive acid flushes to eliminate marine growth that impedes cooling