paulingreece
Well-Known Member
Hi, we are looking at buying a Searay 460 of about 1986 vintage, it has 2 6 cylinder Detroit diesels, does anyone have any knowledge of, or any useful information on these, many thanks in advance.
............., it has 2 6 cylinder Detroit diesels, does anyone have any knowledge of, or any useful information on these, many thanks in advance.
OK ... 71 series... probably the best one from a reliability perspective... a bit leaky from the blower section, so will be oil drips in the bilge.... if squeaky clean, I'd be suspicious ... (the 92 series is cleaner)...
Instruct them that you want the engines started from cold ... and when I say cold, I mean that the exhaust manifold should be bone cold to touch!!! so feel them before they try to fire her up ... if they are warm to touch, you will have to assume they have started them before and may be trying to hide a slow start issue... that could be batteries, tuning, air leak in fuel system or compression.... irrespective it will cost $$ to replace/sort out.
Sort of ask if they carry spare oil.... (these engines should have single viscosity SAE40 oil)... if they show you 15/40 etc. (probably used in generator though )then you need to consider in the cost of a re-build as very few multi-viscosity oils are up to protecting the DD's as designed. Also if you see anything like SAE50, you have to assume compression issue ( the thicker SAE50 is often used to hide compression issues at time of sale)... SAE50 oil is ok in very hot climate, but not common in leisure use.... once again, calculate in the cost of a re-build..
Engines should fire up fast ... nearly immediately ... puff of grey smoke (they over-fuel at start-up)... minor hunting for less than 30 seconds, then settle in for a nice idle at 450 - 550 RPM... (will sound more like 1000 as they fire at each top stroke), but will not vibrate or shake...
One engine will be a bit slower than the other to start as she'll rotate in opposite direction ... no biggie... but watch that smoke and engine settling in for a clean and smooth idle...
On sea trial you should take her up gradually and stop at to 15 -1800 RPM ...... the DD's will start "singing" at 12-1300 RPM when turbo's kick in ... engine Temp and oil gauges should be rock solid .... and you should do a WOT test.... slight increase in temp, but should stabilize .... no continuous creeping!!! When brought down to idle at full working temp, you may get warning lights for low oil pressure... that is not un-usual as long as you have some stable pressure indicated ....
Probably Allison gearboxes which should be smooth with no hard thumps ... although I know SR used V drives, so more un-sure about what to look for if they are...
Know that SR 460 had some issues with water ingress in stringers and deck, so ask question if it will be OK for surveyor to inspect these .... usually drill to core ... but you will have to fork out for re-plugging the drilled holes...
Good luck !!