Mercruiser 3 litre turbo on shaft.

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rotrax

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First Mate and I are downsizing. We are looking at a displacement vessel fitted with a Mercruiser 3 litre turbo with a shaft drive, not outdrive.

From those who use these pages and have experience of Mercruiser diesels, I ask the following:-

1. Are they reliable?

2. Are they simple to DIY service?

3. Are they fuel efficient?

4. Do they use Metric or Imperial fasteners?

5. Do they have inherant shortcomings that can be addressedby type of use, extra servicing or other considerations. IE, Overheating, but can be mitigated by extra heat exchanger service.

Any advice appreciated.
 
rotrax said:
I have no idea. From the pics in the ad it is a straight six. Or even a five-the end of the engine in the pic is obscured.

I ask because it is not one I am familiar with. The spec. says 3 litre.
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There have been several different engines badged as "Mercruiser", including 5 or 6 cylinder versions. Some have been spectacularly crap, some will now have a spares availability of virtually zero. How old is the boat ? Can you post a picture of the engine ?
 
I have no direct ownership experience but Mercruiser engines are not highly regarded by some engineers and boat models with Mercruiser engines tend to sell for less than the same model with a different engine, which tells you something. The obvious example that springs to mind are Sealine sports cruisers such as the S37, but these are on outdrives as opposed to shafts. Personally I wouldn't consider a Mercruiser engined boat but I am sure that there will be contrary views from people who have actually owned a boat with them fitted and/or may be able to provide some advice on mitigating issues as per your question.

As an aside your lovely SP Cruiser will take some beating! :)
 
Greg2 said:
I have no direct ownership experience but Mercruiser engines are not highly regarded by some engineers and boat models with Mercruiser engines tend to sell for less than the same model with a different engine, which tells you something. The obvious example that springs to mind are Sealine sports cruisers such as the S37, but these are on outdrives as opposed to shafts. Personally I wouldn't consider a Mercruiser engined boat but I am sure that there will be contrary views from people who have actually owned a boat with them fitted and/or may be able to provide some advice on mitigating issues as per your question.

As an aside your lovely SP Cruiser will take some beating! :)
Click to expand...
It will, thats for sure.

Age creeps on, a downsize is sensible now, and, perhaps on the 'Dark Side' after sailing.

Thanks to all who replied, it seems Mercruiser's are not well thought of!

I shall look again.
 
The 3.6 version was fitted as an alternative to VP, it may have undeservedly earned a reputation simply by being a "Mercruiser"
They were also a bit down on HP compared with the VP of similar capacity of the time.
This helped /did not help with resale prices depending on if you were buying or selling.
The lack of Mercruiser spares outlets compared to VP did not help ?
Only experience of the engine was a pair in a Broom 33, engines were smooth,quiet and refined compared to the Volvo 40/41 series and never gave any problems.
However the Broom 33 hull having all the underwater characteristics of a house brick, the two brave little Mercruisers simply could not get it to go above 12-13 knots............ on good day.
As usual some perfectly good money was wasted on pitch changing and then the 3/4 blade money pit, probably cheaper to add about 5 feet to middle of hull which appeared to cure the problem ?
 
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