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Cummins 6CTA8.3-M3 Marine Engine Survey


Twin Cummins 6CTA 8.3-M3 Diamond Series marine diesel engines during premium marine engine survey inspection by 805 Marine Diesel Mechanic

Premium Marine Engine Survey Report
2000 MOTOR YACHT

47.9 FT • Twin Cummins 6CTA 8.3-M3 Diamond Series Marine Diesel Engines

Marine Engine Survey

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

This Cummins 6CTA 8.3-M3 Diamond Series marine engine survey documents propulsion-system condition, Northern Lights generator findings, ZF marine transmission observations, cooling-system inspection, drivetrain performance, turbocharger evaluation, oil-analysis results, and sea-trial performance for this 47.9FT motor yacht.

805 Marine Diesel Mechanic marine diesel engine survey and propulsion diagnostics logo

Cummins 6CTA 8.3-M3
ZF Marine
Northern Lights
Sea Trial

Vessel Identification

Official Number 1095354
LOA 47.9 FT
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

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 Number: K07118
Hours: 1443

The generator produced steady power and operated satisfactorily during testing. However, several critical seawater-system deficiencies were identified requiring immediate repair.


Northern Lights 8KW marine generator PX-308K1 installed in yacht engine room during marine generator inspection

Northern Lights 8KW Marine Generator PX-308K1


Leaking Groco marine generator sea strainer requiring immediate repair during generator cooling system inspection

Generator Groco sea strainer leaking and requiring repair.

DANGER:
Northern Lights generator sea-chest thru-hull hose severely damaged and requires replacement immediately to prevent possible seawater flooding or catastrophic cooling-system failure.


Severely damaged Northern Lights generator sea chest thru-hull hose showing critical marine safety concern

Generator sea-chest thru-hull hose severely damaged and unsafe.

Engine Room Systems Inspection

Fuel Filtration System: Dual Racor Twin Turbine 1000 Series fuel filter/water separator assemblies appeared serviceable with no water present. Electric priming pumps and vacuum gauges installed.


Dual Racor 1000FH fuel filter water separator assemblies installed on Cummins 6CTA marine diesel engines

Dual Racor 1000 Series fuel filtration system.
Throttle & Shifter Controls: ZF electronic shifters operated properly at flybridge and main cabin.
Seawater Pumps: Seawater-pump seals not leaking from weep holes and adequate pressure observed. Both pumps leaking oil from lower housings.


Cummins 6CTA 8.3 marine seawater pump leaking oil from lower housing during marine engine inspection

Cummins 6CTA seawater pumps leaking oil from lower housings.
Tube-Type Heat Exchanger: Inlet and outlet temperatures checked with heat gun and remained within operating parameters.
Engine Oil Cooler: Temperatures within operating range with no abnormal readings detected.
Seawater Pump Outlet Pressure: Adequate seawater pressure observed on both pumps.
Coolant Level Sensor: Operating properly with no leaks observed.
Engine Mounts and Bed: Main engine beds and mounts appeared satisfactory.
Lubrication: Oil-level indication normal on both engines.
Lube Oil Pressure: WOT load approximately 42 PSI port and 40 PSI starboard.
Cooling System Type: Freshwater reservoir-type cooling with seawater cooled wet exhaust operated satisfactorily.
Main Engine Seawater Strainers: Groco bronze-alloy strainers appeared serviceable overall. Generator sea strainer leaking and requiring repair.
Coolant Level: Expansion tanks pressure-tested to 25 PSI with no noticeable pressure drop. Infrared heat-gun testing showed normal temperatures throughout cooling-system surfaces.


Pressure testing Cummins 6CTA 8.3 marine engine expansion tank during cooling system inspection

Cooling-system pressure testing performed at 25 PSI.
Hoses and Clamps: Mostly new hoses and clamps installed, although several cooling-system clamps and hoses should be replaced.
Belts and Pulleys: Belts and pulleys appeared serviceable.
Seacocks and Strainers: Ball-valve seawater seacocks operated smoothly and satisfactorily.
Exhaust System: Seawater-cooled exhaust system appeared satisfactory with double-clamped flexible coupling sections where sighted.
Engine Alarms: Port and starboard low-oil-pressure alarms and coolant-overheat warnings audible at helm station and operating properly.
Engine Shutdown: Electronic shutdown solenoids operated satisfactorily.
Dripless Shaft Seals: Port-side dripless shaft seal leaking while underway.

Port Dripless Shaft Seal Leaking Underway

Engine Alignment: Alignment appeared smooth and without vibration.
Rudders: Packing-gland-style rudders appeared serviceable with no abnormal vibration.
Turbochargers: Starboard turbocharger leaking oil from outlet indicating worn bearings and seals. Replacement recommended.

Turbocharger Oil Leakage From Seals

ZF Marine Transmissions: Both transmissions operated satisfactorily underway. Noticeable clanking during forward-to-reverse shifting likely indicating internal bearing wear.


Marine transmission shaft movement caused by worn ZF transmission bearings during drivetrain inspection

Visible shaft movement indicating wear inside ZF transmission bearings.

Cummins 6CTA 8.3 Airsep crankcase breathers severely collapsed due to restriction and require immediate replacement.


Collapsed Airsep crankcase breather filters on Cummins 6CTA marine diesel engines caused by severe restriction

Collapsed Airsep crankcase breather filters requiring replacement.

Sea Trial Report

Sea Trial Item Observation
Engine Start Engines started without excessive cranking.
Exhaust Appearance Very minimal smoke once engines reached operating temperature.
Cooling Water Exhaust Cooling-water discharge appeared adequate and normal.
Engine Instruments Instrumentation operated within normal operating limits at idle, cruise, and WOT.
Steering System Steering system operated normally and was highly responsive.
Throttle Operation Throttle response normal with no adjustments required.
Backdown Test Backdown satisfactory except for noticeable transmission clanking while shifting from forward to reverse.
Rudder Linkage Rudder linkage operated smoothly underway with no leaks detected.

WOT TEST:
Starboard engine produced slight smoke during initial acceleration that cleared once operating temperature stabilized.


Master Marine Diesel Troubleshooting Guide – 805 Marine Diesel Mechanic

Engine Oil Analysis


Starboard Cummins 6CTA8.3

Oil Analysis Findings: Aluminum elevated and may indicate piston wear. All other readings appeared normal.


Port Cummins 6CTA8.3

Oil Analysis Findings: Aluminum elevated and may indicate piston wear. All other readings appeared normal.


Starboard ZF Marine Transmission 1RM301A.2

All transmission oil-analysis readings appeared normal.


Port ZF Marine Transmission 1RM301A.2

All transmission oil-analysis readings appeared normal.


Northern Lights 8KW Marine Generator

Generator oil-analysis results appeared normal.

Cummins 6CTA8.3 Marine Engine Survey Summary

As a result of this Marine Engine Survey, cooling-system inspection, drivetrain evaluation, oil-analysis testing, and sea-trial observations, the propulsion package appears generally well maintained overall.

OVERALL ENGINE RATING: GOOD

Several important corrective repairs are recommended including generator seawater-system hose replacement, turbocharger replacement, Airsep breather replacement, dripless shaft-seal service, and future transmission monitoring due to bearing wear indications.

Cummins 6CTA 8.3 marine engine survey overall propulsion system condition rating showing GOOD condition

Ball Park Estimate of Repairs Needed

Repair Item Estimated Cost
Generator exhaust hose replacement $202 + 2 labor hours
Generator thru-hull sea-chest hose replacement $70 + 1 labor hour
Generator Groco sea strainer repair 3 labor hours
Replace both turbochargers $14,000 + 6 labor hours
Replace collapsed Airsep breathers $240 + 1 labor hour
Dripless shaft seal replacement $550 + 6 labor hours + haul out
ZF transmission replacement estimate $20,000 + $5,000 labor

Estimated Parts: Approximately $34,900

Estimated Labor: $165/hr × 19 hours = $3,135

Transmission Removal & Installation: Approximately $5,000

Estimated Total: Approximately $43,035

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 opinion based on conditions observed at the time of inspection. It is not a warranty expressed or implied. This inspection is valid for the inspection date only as vessel conditions in a saltwater environment may deteriorate rapidly. Condition is regarded as good or better unless otherwise stated herein.

Survey Conducted By

Owner / Surveyor: Jeff Lendall

Jeff Lendall & Sons
805 Marine Diesel Mechanic

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