The Cummins 6CTA 8.3-M3 “Diamond Series” is a popular, robust 6-cylinder, 8.3L turbocharged & aftercooled marine diesel engine known for reliability
Marine Engine Survey
Conducted by : Jeff Lendall & Sons. 805 Marine Diesel Mechanic
OFFICIAL#:1095354 LOA:47.9FT YEAR:2000
ENGINE 1: PORT
- Engine Make: Cummins
- Engine Model: 6CTA8.3-M3
- Engine Type: Inboard
- Power HP: 450
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Hours: 2983
- Serial Number: 45605902
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TRANSMISSION PORT: ZF Marine Transmission 1RM301A.2
ENGINE 2: STARBOARD
- Engine Make: Cummins
-
Engine Model: 6CTA8.3-M3
- Engine Type: Inboard
-
Power HP: 450
- Fuel Type: Diesel
-
Hours: 2657
-
Serial Number: 45605564
- Transmission starboard: ZF Marine Transmission 1RM301A.2
Northern Lights 8KW Marine Generator:
- Generator Make: Northern Lights
- Generator Model: PX-308K1
- Generator KW: 8.0
- Serial # K07118
- Hours: 1443
The Genset seams to run fine and produce steady power, but the exhaust hose and the thru-hull sea chest hose are badly damaged and need to be replaced, also the Groco sea strainer is leaking and needs to be repaired
NORTHERN LIGHTS 8KW GENERATOR SEACHEST THRU-HULL HOSE SEVERLY DAMAGED. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSISBLE. (DANGER)
FUEL FILTRATION SYSTEM: Dual Racor Twin Turbine 1000 Series Fuel Filter/Water Separator 10 Micron Port & Starboard side filter assembly: Appeared serviceable, No water present. Electric priming pump & vacuum gauges installed. no water present appeared serviceable
THROTTLE & SHIFTER CONTROLS: ZF Electronic shifters worked properly at flybridge and Main cabin locations.
SEAWATER PUMP: Seals not leaking at seawater weep holes, no water present. adequate pressure. But both are leaking oil out the bottom
TUBE-TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER: checked inlet and outlet flow temperature with heat gun, within parameters
ENGINE OIL COOLER: checked inlet and outlet temperatures with heat gun, all within parameters
SEAWATER PUMP OUTLET PRESSURE: adequate pressure on both pumps
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 42 psi. port engine 40 psi starboard engine
COOLING SYSTEM TYPE: Freshwater reservoir type cooling with Seawater cooled wet exhaust, Operated satisfactory.
MAIN ENGINE SEAWATER STRAINERS: 3 inch Groco bronze alloy with sight glass. Appeared serviceable. well maintained. except the generator sea strainer leaking, needs to be repaired
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. mostly new hoses and hose clamps, but a few on the cooling system need to be replaced
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
DRIPLESS SHAFT SEALS: Leaking on port side while underway
ENGINE ALIGNMENT: Appeared Smooth & without vibration.
RUDDERS: Packing gland style, not leaking excessively appeared serviceable. no vibration.
TURBOCHARGERS: Starboard, side turbo leaking oil out of outlet (bearings and seals worn) needs to be replaced. sounded like they spooled up around 1200 RPM and operated satisfactory
ZF MARINE TRANSMISSIONS: Both Transmissions performed well while under way. but when shifting in and out of reverse you could hear it clanking some from the bearings being slightly worn, by evidence of the shiny part of the shaft in the photo showing the movement fore and aft
Cummins 6CTA 8.3 Airsep crankcase breathers are imploded. need to be relaced
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SEATRIAL REPORT:
1. The engines started without excessive cranking.
2. The engine exhaust appeared normal. very minimal smoke once they warmed up 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 backdown test was satisfactory. Other than some clanking in the transmissions going from forward to reverse
8. both rudder linkage operated smooth while underway, no leaks detected
Master Marine Diesel Troubleshooting Guide – 805 Marine Diesel Mechanic
WOT TEST: (wide open throttle) Starboard engine smoking a little. but it seems to go away as soon as the engine is warmed up.
ENGINE OIL ANALYSIS:
ALUMINUM IS ELEVATED AND MAY INDICATE PISTON WEAR. ALL OTHER ANALYSIS READINGS APPEAR NORMAL.
ALUMINUM IS ELEVATED AND MAY INDICATE PISTON WEAR. ALL OTHER ANALYSIS READINGS APPEAR NORMAL.
STARBOARD ZF Marine Transmission 1RM301A.2
ALL TESTS APPEAR NORMAL.
PORT ZF Marine Transmission 1RM301A.2
ALL TESTS APPEAR NORMAL.
Northern Lights 8KW Marine Generator
ALL TESTS APPEAR NORMAL.
CUMMINS 6CTA8.3 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. 
NOTICE:
The following statements limit the liability of the undersigned and set ethical standards associated with this report. Use of this report for any purpose constitutes acceptance of the following:
NOTE A: This report is issued without prejudice and is the property of the Requestor
as listed above. Any use or distribution by another party is prohibited and shall render this report invalid.
NOTE B: This report is issued subject to the understanding that the undersigned surveyor is not responsible for error, omission, negligence or misstatement. This report is a statement of my opinion based on the conditions as I found them. It is not a warranty express or implied. This inspection is valid this date only as conditions of vessels in a saltwater environment can deteriorate rapidly. Condition is to be regarded as good or better unless reported herein.
Owner/Surveyor Jeff Lendall
Ball park estimate of repairs needed
- Genset exhaust hose 1 3/4 x 8ft = $202.00, HRS.2
- Trident 252 Series Corrugated Marine Wet Exhaust Hose
- Genset thru-hull sea chest hose: 1 1/4 x 4ft = $70, HRS.1
- Genset Groco sea strainer is leaking and needs to be repaired. HRS.3
- Starboard, side turbocharger leaking oil out of outlet (bearings and seals worn) needs to be replaced and if you’re replacing one the other one can’t be too far behind, recommend replacing both Turbochargers $7000 x 2 = $14,000 HRS,6
- Cummins Marine 6CTA 8.3 M4 “480CE” Turbocharger (4955231, CPL 2960) – Seaboard Marine
- Both ZF Transmissions are showing wear (as shown in the photo above) that’s not to say they will go out in the next 6 months or a year. but they are 25 years old with almost 3000 hrs on them and are starting to make noise when shifting from forward to reverse. Replacement cost: $10,000 x 2 = $20,000 Labor $5000
- Cummins 6CTA 8.3 Airsep crankcase breathers are imploded. need to be replaced $120 x 2 = $240 HRS.1
- DRIPLESS SHAFT SEALS: Leaking on port side while underway. needs to be adjusted or replaced (as shown in the video above) if it needs to be replaced. boat needs to come out of the water and shaft removed. Dripless shaft seal $550 HRS,6 + Haul out
- DrySeal Dripless Shaft Seal for 2″ Shaft by Lasdrop
Parts: $34,900
Labor: $165 x 19hrs = $3135
Transmission removal & installation $5,000
TOTAL= $43,035