3.0L mercruiser compression

Finz123

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2016
Messages
29
Hello, first off my boat is a 2005 SeaRay 175 sport with 3.0 mercruiser motor. Bought it last year, seemed a little slower on take of than I thought it should be and only get 4000rpm at wot without trim and 4400 trimmed. Just last week I took it to a repair shop to have them look at it and they said I have low compression. The numbers are 145, 150, 145, 145 then they told me it should be at 180. I did a search on compression and it seems like 145 to 150 is a decent compression for the engine, but maybe that is wrong. Question is what's a good compression for the motor?
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
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Mar 8, 2009
Messages
43,986
Could throw it back at them
Tell them to build you a motor with 180 compression that runs on 87 octane with current prop and drive
 

Scott06

Admiral
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Messages
7,391
Find another shop, the 140 to 150 is golden
Look closer at your prop pitch
100% 150 is new , get a different mechanic.
Hello, first off my boat is a 2005 SeaRay 175 sport with 3.0 mercruiser motor. Bought it last year, seemed a little slower on take of than I thought it should be and only get 4000rpm at wot without trim and 4400 trimmed. Just last week I took it to a repair shop to have them look at it and they said I have low compression. The numbers are 145, 150, 145, 145 then they told me it should be at 180. I did a search on compression and it seems like 145 to 150 is a decent compression for the engine, but maybe that is wrong. Question is what's a good compression for the motor?
3.0 is a great motor for economy of ownership and reliability, not speed. Yes you should be able to get it to 4600-4800 rpm but that is probably prop related. When I had a 3.0 I ran a 16” prop for skiing etc , may need to drop in pitch.
 

Scott06

Admiral
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Messages
7,391
They mentioned maybe stuck rings
Again find a different mechanic. Ask them to show you the published compression numbers in the mercruiser manual, it’s 150 psi… please do not spend any more money with these guys have they verified your tach against a shop tach ?
 

kenny nunez

Captain
Joined
Jun 20, 2017
Messages
3,505
All 4 cylinder engines have what feels like “blow by” but it is really the result of the pumping action of pistons pushing air from the crankcase which is normal. With real “blow by” from worn or stuck rings there will be oil all over the top of the valve cover along with white smoke.
 

Finz123

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2016
Messages
29
Again find a different mechanic. Ask them to show you the published compression numbers in the mercruiser manual, it’s 150 psi… please do not spend any more money with these guys have they verified your tach against a shop tach ?
No i haven't verified my tach
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
52,425
Inline spec was 145-150

Verify your gauge and fire your "mechanic". (In quotes for a reason)

How old is the fuel?
Check how clean the spark arrestor is
Check if the flapper dropped
 
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