jeffro
New member
Looking at a boat with two 180 hp v sixes this weekend any advice greatfully recieved as i am a raggie Jeffro
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Detroit Diesels
- Thread starter jeffro
- Start date
Divemaster1
Well-known member
Loads of them around ... reliable beasts .. presume older, so probably 2-stroke diesels
V6/53 V6/71 V6/92
All in various configurations ... different injectors, with/without turbo, with/without intercooler.... ranging from 120 HK to over 300 I believe.
Based upon industrial engines, so heavy, slow reving .... and probably will go on forever ... if looked after that is.
All depends on history and which version of the engine ... otherwise impossible to tell.
You can also try boatdiesel.com, who have a section for the Detroits.... Expect them to smoke a bit when starting up, but should clear fast ... if not you can assume "dripping" injector ... and need a bit TLC. Need single viscosity oil, but should be reliable engines. My straight 6's run very smooth and clean. Have one or two minor issues (one with "dripping" injector), but will resolve this over the winter. Alison gearboxes are nice and smooth ... Lots of these engines and gearboxes goes in workboats around the world.
Wha age and in what kind of boat ??
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
V6/53 V6/71 V6/92
All in various configurations ... different injectors, with/without turbo, with/without intercooler.... ranging from 120 HK to over 300 I believe.
Based upon industrial engines, so heavy, slow reving .... and probably will go on forever ... if looked after that is.
All depends on history and which version of the engine ... otherwise impossible to tell.
You can also try boatdiesel.com, who have a section for the Detroits.... Expect them to smoke a bit when starting up, but should clear fast ... if not you can assume "dripping" injector ... and need a bit TLC. Need single viscosity oil, but should be reliable engines. My straight 6's run very smooth and clean. Have one or two minor issues (one with "dripping" injector), but will resolve this over the winter. Alison gearboxes are nice and smooth ... Lots of these engines and gearboxes goes in workboats around the world.
Wha age and in what kind of boat ??
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
NorthernWave
New member
I have two Detroits also. The obove is all correct, on the down side they can be a little thirsty (depends on application) and also a little LOUD. (although I think they sound pretty good.)
Mine are both naturally aspirated V16's without super chargers (i.e. 4 stroke) and they have been great engines to run with. Parts being readily available and not too expensive.
Chris
<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale
Mine are both naturally aspirated V16's without super chargers (i.e. 4 stroke) and they have been great engines to run with. Parts being readily available and not too expensive.
Chris
<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale
Bungee
New member
I would be interested to know if detroit diesels are reliably smoke free.Have you any past experience of them
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Divemaster1
Well-known member
All depends on application, configuration and age...
They exist from in line two cylinder to V16 .... 2 stroke and 4 stroke... well maintained and not well maintained.
Interchangable parts on the 2-strokes in same series, so should be easy to find parts... also high torque on all, but particulary on 2-stroke ones.
Mine are smoke free under load and only a light cover of soot on stern after 1200NM this year..... No cleaning until journey was over and undertaken in two hops. No faults and < 1% oil consumption. Went like clockwork for about 100 hrs, but ought to have a service now... see "dripping" injector.... which I will mostly do myself ... Ooh .. and engines are 20 years old.. Straight six 6.9L 2-Stroke with Turbo and Intercooler.
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
They exist from in line two cylinder to V16 .... 2 stroke and 4 stroke... well maintained and not well maintained.
Interchangable parts on the 2-strokes in same series, so should be easy to find parts... also high torque on all, but particulary on 2-stroke ones.
Mine are smoke free under load and only a light cover of soot on stern after 1200NM this year..... No cleaning until journey was over and undertaken in two hops. No faults and < 1% oil consumption. Went like clockwork for about 100 hrs, but ought to have a service now... see "dripping" injector.... which I will mostly do myself ... Ooh .. and engines are 20 years old.. Straight six 6.9L 2-Stroke with Turbo and Intercooler.
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Have a look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsurvey.com/comparing_diesel_types.htm>http://www.yachtsurvey.com/comparing_diesel_types.htm</A>
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jeffro
New member
Thanks for the info all .so there not the same as my old ariel arrow then and nothing like my yanmar in my yacht seriously they sound very good the owner says that they are on the button {but then he would} i will look weekend watch this space Jeffro
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NorthernWave
New member
Again I agree with Alf, we recently completed a 1600nm passage with only a little use of oil and very, very, little black soot. In fact the gens created more soot and used more oil. (currently in refit and the gens are being binned)
Chris
<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale
Chris
<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale
ashley
New member
My 3-71V "Jimmy" has been installed since 1946 and apparently still seems fine.
But I am finding it hard to find parts or overhaul kits in the UK so anyone have a good contacts for these bits?
<hr width=100% size=1>A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a Unicorn
But I am finding it hard to find parts or overhaul kits in the UK so anyone have a good contacts for these bits?
<hr width=100% size=1>A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a Unicorn
Divemaster1
Well-known member
I've found Turner Diesel in Aberdeen good as they service the fishing, farming and the Oil industry.
Try them on 01224 723925
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
Try them on 01224 723925
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
Divemaster1
Well-known member
"i will look weekend watch this space Jeffro"
Expect to se a couple of engines, which when idling at 5 - 600 RPM, is very smooth and sounds like idling at 1000 RPM. Should not be any vibrations, and if it is a proper installation, shuld also have a instrument panel somewhere in the engine room.some of these may not work though as sensors will have changed. (mine have).
Make a note of the Engine Serial Nos. etc.... Then contact your Local Detroit Dealer with the serial nos. Ask for the original configuration, performance and fuel consumption curves. In return they should give you what, when and to whom they delivered from the factory (At no charge, but will take about one week), which will enable you to see if anyone have tweaked the engines at some stage. The 2-strokes are quite easy to tune, so you will find this information useful. If you have no joy locally, try Turner Diesel in Aberdeen who have been very helpful to me.
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
Expect to se a couple of engines, which when idling at 5 - 600 RPM, is very smooth and sounds like idling at 1000 RPM. Should not be any vibrations, and if it is a proper installation, shuld also have a instrument panel somewhere in the engine room.some of these may not work though as sensors will have changed. (mine have).
Make a note of the Engine Serial Nos. etc.... Then contact your Local Detroit Dealer with the serial nos. Ask for the original configuration, performance and fuel consumption curves. In return they should give you what, when and to whom they delivered from the factory (At no charge, but will take about one week), which will enable you to see if anyone have tweaked the engines at some stage. The 2-strokes are quite easy to tune, so you will find this information useful. If you have no joy locally, try Turner Diesel in Aberdeen who have been very helpful to me.
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
Bungee
New member
Good to read various info on detroit diesels. Have to use another form of navigation next time we cross the channel if they're smokefree!
Bungee
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Bungee
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Duncan_Hamble
New member
4 Stroke Detroits?
Chris - are these the MTU based ones?
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Chris - are these the MTU based ones?
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Duncan_Hamble
New member
Jeffro,
Mitchell Diesel in Romsey are agents and may be able to help.
had some experience of them on a naval patrol boat -V12 supercharged and turbocharged ones of about 650hp. No problems at all and sounded gorgeous. Noisy as Detroit are very particular about back pressure meaning that the exhausts are normally pretty big with little silencing.
Also as two stroke are firing twice as often.
Only problem I have heard of is diesel getting into the lubricating oil. The injectors are underneath the rocker boxes and a leak only shows up as a rise in the oil level. The oil gets thin with the possibility of damage to bearing surfaces etc.
The owner had tried to cover this up by fitting smaller rating injectors to limit the engine power and risk of overheating.
What boat are they in?
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Mitchell Diesel in Romsey are agents and may be able to help.
had some experience of them on a naval patrol boat -V12 supercharged and turbocharged ones of about 650hp. No problems at all and sounded gorgeous. Noisy as Detroit are very particular about back pressure meaning that the exhausts are normally pretty big with little silencing.
Also as two stroke are firing twice as often.
Only problem I have heard of is diesel getting into the lubricating oil. The injectors are underneath the rocker boxes and a leak only shows up as a rise in the oil level. The oil gets thin with the possibility of damage to bearing surfaces etc.
The owner had tried to cover this up by fitting smaller rating injectors to limit the engine power and risk of overheating.
What boat are they in?
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Dave_Snelson
Active member
I love the no-nonsense approach of those articles. Gets right to the point.
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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>
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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>
NorthernWave
New member
Duncan - To be honest I'm not sure, I don't see any physical similarity between the two.
Chris
<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale
Chris
<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale
Divemaster1
Well-known member
I think you will find that if they are post 2000, they will be part of the DD/MTU range, and as such the answer will be "probably".
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
NorthernWave
New member
They are 1978
<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale
<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale
Divemaster1
Well-known member
Thought that in 1978 DD only delivered 2-Strokes, but willing to be proven wrong.
Cracking engines, high torque and low vibrations. Cannot "see" that they are 2-stroke... but will run very smooth and probably idle @ 500 RPM with no vibrations.
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
Cracking engines, high torque and low vibrations. Cannot "see" that they are 2-stroke... but will run very smooth and probably idle @ 500 RPM with no vibrations.
<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,
Alf
NorthernWave
New member
Yes they are for shore 4 stroke. I questioned it myself but my engineer insists they are.
Chris
<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale
Chris
<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale
