Mercruiser 1.7DTi 120HP

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ontheplane

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If you've seen my posts recently you can see we're jumping around a bit in what we want.

We're now also looking at a small bowrider with the Merc 1.7DTi diesel.

Do I remember some posts hereabouts about these engines having many problems?

Certainly 120HP from a tiny 1.7 diesel seems a bit too overstressed to me....


I had posted this same question, but with a different title - realised title was not good given question asked.

Thanks
 
I think you're right from new....

However 2nd hand (which is what we're looking at)

3 reasons....

1) Initially the boat will be UK based. I can get red diesel delivered for around 80ppl - whilst I realise a small bowrider won't use a lot - it still makes it a bit cheaper.

2) Secondhand, the cost of the boat with the diesel in it doesn't actually seem too much dearer than the cost of the petrol driven equivalent. There are several around for about £8-9k advertised (for which I am going to assume £6-8k to pay) - the petrols are only around £500 cheaper than that (although perhaps the diesel owners won't take so much of an offer?)

3) If we like the boat and use it a fair bit and it turns out to be reliable and so on, then we'll take it to Corfu where my in-laws have a place. Over there petrol is now over Eur1.50 a litre and given the problems Greece is having who knows what it will go up to - Diesel is Eur1.29 and the gap is rapidly growing.
If we take the boat out for a day, then I figure with the diesel it will burn perhaps 20-30lit of diesel which is very jerry-can doable - I reckon I'd be looking at near double that for a petrol boat, which pushes the limits for filling with a jerry can.
With the diesel, it would be possible to do a round-the-island in a day just about and I'd have no qualms about the range - with a petrol, very different.

We'd leave it then in Corfu "for ever" and not change it (we'd only ever want a dayboat over there) - so the theoretical longer life of a diesel would appeal - however if the engine is known to be troublesome, I will steer well clear.
 
ontheplane said:
3) If we like the boat and use it a fair bit and it turns out to be reliable and so on, then we'll take it to Corfu where my in-laws have a place. Over there petrol is now over Eur1.50 a litre and given the problems Greece is having who knows what it will go up to - Diesel is Eur1.29 and the gap is rapidly growing.
Click to expand...

that was last summer.

unleaded 1.7 and growing
diesel around 1.5

euro that is, dunno what will be in drachmas when we go back there, but then it will be cheaper for you for sure ;)
 
OTP.. or maybe not, with a diesel !
Hey, if it tics your box, why not, but the idea of petrol bowriders is that they are huge fun and whiz about alot, speedy and agile. The reason in UK diesels appeared was I assume running costs. You have to draw your own conclusions as to why the idea hasnt been successful, but basically, it is a contradiction in terms.
Call Gibbs or one of the other sportsboat guys and ask them...
 
Wouldn't call Gibbs - only contact I ever had with them means I'll never deal with them again - bunch of idiots (IMHO of course).

However I did think that there could be problems - hence the lack of them around.

I'd heard that this engine was troublesome - but that was back a while - I hadn't seen anything negative about it for a while....

So any experiences good or bad?

And yes - that's a boat a good long sea trial would be essential, and I'd take some weighty people with me to make sure it could pop up on the plane.... Last thing I want is a boat as sluggish as the last one!
 
Virtuevas

Do you think it inevitable you'll go back to the Drachma then??

I felt it was likely but interesting to hear a local express the belief as well....

1.7 now for unleaded?? Ouch!

Lovezoo

Yes, I have 2 concerns with it

a) underpowered
b) unreliable

on a) Only way to be sure is a seatrial
on b) I am hoping forum members can help me - anyone out there had the engine in a 1000kg + boat and how did it perform? Was it reliable?
 
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1.7dti

I have just replaced one engine with cracked pistons due to the waste gate seizing open giving max boost constantly.

Re built another in a regal having spent its life on a river and bores glazed. Then found the turbo waste gate seized shut.

Just got one in a rib same again turbo issue.

I would get a compression check and negotiate the price for allowing a turbo service. Also if it is a wet boat remove the cam cover a dozen 6mm bolts and see if the idle and tensioner are rusty. These had a habit of seizing over the winter and throwing the cam belt ouch.
 
These are good engines if properly maintained. They got a rep over in the States where fishermen use them in 20-25 ft boats, using max throttle for many hours (they should be used at 80% max for continuous use), with the engine open to the elements, hence the wastegate mechanicals need regular lubricant.

I have 2 of these in my Sunline, engines maintained to schedule, and away from the salt water.

In your bowrider, it will give similar performance to a 4.3 V6 gas engine. Ignore max power, and focus on torque. This is what you get with a turbo diesel. I get parts from the Vauxhall dealer, OE replacements without the Quicksilver mark-up. I paid £35 for the cam belt, which costs £135 from mercruiser. Very expensive packaging this Quicksilver stuff! Oil filters £5 each. The Alfa 1 legs have been good on my boat too. Quite basic, so relatively easy and inexpensive to service.
 
rafiki_ said:
.



In your bowrider, it will give similar performance to a 4.3 V6 gas engine. Ignore max power, and focus on torque. This is what you get with a turbo diesel.
Click to expand...

I understand your point about torque, but I just dont see how you can say both engines are similar.

The diesel is 120hp and approx 260 N-m

The V6 Petrol 220hp and approx 260N-m

The diesel is a decent engine, but its simply not enough to put a grin on your face. These boats are designed for V8 or at the very least V6 power.

I just dont think its worth the compromise to save a few quid a day.
 
1.7

lMarinised in Poland.

Yep same engine as the Astra although that had electronics on the injection pump the 17.dti is just a conventional pump.

The engines are a pain in a Merc dealers back side. Phone Barrus and ask for Jon Hay. Ask for a view on the 1.7. I take your point on a correctly serviced package at the specified intervals but the failures I have seen the units were serviced as per manufacturers specs.

It maybe you are lucky as you are in a fresh water envoirment. What we found is that on most of the sports boats the blower vents were all at the rear near to the turbo. Salt mist entered the boat.Once that has got in it played havoc with the wastegates. Also the nice tight little turbo jacket acted as a sponge and soaked it all up which you guessed it dripped right onto the actuator arm.

Like i said in my other post get a compression check and budget or chip the price down to cover a turbo overhaul worst case £600. A new unit is £1300 if i remember correctly.

Also if its a rusty looking engine/wet damp engine bay get the belt tensioner and idle pulley looked at. Its a big failure area.

Overheating is common every few years on these due to the way the cooling system is designed. The heat exchanger drains but only half way. This tends to lead to blockages as the calcium builds up. The intercooler lies at the bottom this tends to be the biggest cause of overheat.

A new short motor to give you an idea is £7000. This is a block,crank and pistons. Nothing else no sump, heads or cams.

There are many units putting in good service dont get me wrong but get those items checked before going ahead.

1 So visual check of idler,tensioner cambelt pullies.
2 compression check should be 400 ish psi off top of my head
3 sea trial and watch temperature. Dont run it on muffs as the temp will never get there
4 budget in for a turbo overhaul
 
ontheplane said:
If you've seen my posts recently you can see we're jumping around a bit in what we want
Thanks
Click to expand...

As indeed am I. The more I read makes me realise that you have less negative comments on this forum about Outboard Motors. Today as I walked round a marina looking for a boat to buy I saw a 6,25m Boat that has a 175hp Outboard Motor. Bet that goes. Unfortunatly it was not for sale, but to me, if its on a trailer, and you have an engine problem, you tow the boat to the dealer, and they take the engine off and repair it.
 
ontheplane said:
If you've seen my posts recently you can see we're jumping around a bit in what we want.

We're now also looking at a small bowrider with the Merc 1.7DTi diesel.

Do I remember some posts hereabouts about these engines having many problems?

Certainly 120HP from a tiny 1.7 diesel seems a bit too overstressed to me....


I had posted this same question, but with a different title - realised title was not good given question asked.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Can't comment much on the engine, but i'd have a couple of issues with a bowrider if you're planing to use it at sea. If you are you'll need a strong bow cover with good solid fixings to make sure you don't get swamped if you take a wave on the bow. Also, most bowriders don't have any form of toilet, which can curtail the whole day if you have someone on board that needs the loo and can't or won't pee over the side.
 
Using car parts is a good idea. A previous owner replaced the fuel filter attachment on one of my mercruiser D636 with a something from a car. It now takes a standard car part that costs about £5 and fits about 30 different models of car so is very easy to obtain.
 
ontheplane said:
Virtuevas

Do you think it inevitable you'll go back to the Drachma then??

I felt it was likely but interesting to hear a local express the belief as well....

1.7 now for unleaded?? Ouch!
Click to expand...

I honestly cannot figure out what our politicians are up to. OK, sell the country in bits, make some money themselves and claim they save us (in no particular order)
No idea how the public is going to react, the maths don't add up, drachma is a v.bad (for us greeks) solution but I'm afraid we'll get there in the end when they wont be able to find anyother thing to tax and the kitty is empty...

should be relatively okay and cheap for you guys, so don't worry too much. I feel that's part of the plan anyway.
 
Jim@sea said:
As indeed am I. The more I read makes me realise that you have less negative comments on this forum about Outboard Motors. Today as I walked round a marina looking for a boat to buy I saw a 6,25m Boat that has a 175hp Outboard Motor. Bet that goes. Unfortunatly it was not for sale, but to me, if its on a trailer, and you have an engine problem, you tow the boat to the dealer, and they take the engine off and repair it.
Click to expand...
Well if you don't like inboard motors with outdrives because the gearbox is hanging off the back of the boat in salt water, I think hanging the entire engine and gearbox off the back of the boat isn't really an improvement? Granted, you don't have the bellows to worry about, but at quite a high price.

Take my boat. A brand new (not reconditioned) 4.3 V6 210HP engine for my boat can be had for £3000. Add on £1500 for a brand new leg and you are looking at £4500 total cost, plus installation.

A brand new Mariner Optimax 200HP outboard is ..... £13,000. Yikes.

And if you want to get some idea of the problems outboards can have, have a look at the forums on iboats.com. They have 67,000 posts on Mercury & Mariner Outboards and 61,000 on Mercruiser Inboard Engines And Outdrives.
 
Blinking heck!!!

That is a huge price hike in fuel costs....

Does start to make the other alternative (a large outboard or inboard V6) look pricey to run!

Still, not sounding like these small diesels are that reliable..... Saying that, every engine has problems I guess.

What is the view on whether it's a "reliable" or "unreliable" engine compared to say a 4.3 v6 or a typical outboard?
 
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