Average life of a 4.3L mercruiser?

[Pushrods]

Im considering buying a 19 ft bowrider that has a 1992 4.3lx merc alpha I dr ive. It has been well taken care of and serviced at proper intervals by the first and only owner. It has 400 hours on it. It has had the gimbal bearing replaced and the lower unit on the outdrive replaced due to an accident of some type and not normal wear. I have been told by another boat owner that 400 hours is a lot for a Merc I/O setup. I would think that this V6 setup should last well over 1500 hours before major overhaul would be needed. Any ideas on what the average life span of a well cared for merc 4.3L setup might last before major overhaul or replacement?

Pushrods

 

[achris]

Re: Average life of a 4.3L mercruiser?

I had a 1994 4.3LX in my boat until a couple of years ago... I put it in new and used it regularly, and serviced it religiously. When I took it out of the boat it had 1024 hrs on it. A friend bought it and I installed it in his boat for him... I still maintain it and he has put another 200 hours on it... It still runs flawlessly, and I can't see it stopping any time soon.... I suspect it will have at least 2000 hours on it before it needs a 'freshen up'....

Chris............

 

[Bondo]

Re: Average life of a 4.3L mercruiser?

I suspect it will have 2000 hours on it before it needs a 'freshen up'....

Ayuh,....

I built mine just Over 1000hrs ago,+ it's still showing the same compression as the day it was assembled....
I'm expecting to break At Least 2000hrs with it.... Maybe More....3000hrs Isn't unheard of...

 

[Lou C]

Re: Average life of a 4.3L mercruiser?

Fresh water or salt? If fresh you probably can easily get 2000 hrs out of it, mabe more. The main thing is your maintenance habits and how you run it. The things that ruin most inboard marine engines is running too hot (not maintaining the impeller, clogged risers) water injestion (leaky gasket between the manifold and riser, rusted out manifold), and over-propping (WOT rpms too low so engine strains to get on plane). So if you keep it running at the right temp, RPMs and keep water out of the engine it should last at least another 1000 hrs!
Plus do not take any shortcuts while winterizing. NO suck up the af through the drive kits. That can leave water in the block and come spring a cracked block. ALWAYS manually drain and probe drains to make sure all the water is out.

BTW, I have an OMC version of the same engine....1988....at least 8 years worth in salt water....keeping fingers crossed!
It gets a new impeller every other season, manifolds checked and replaced if necessary regularly, and I try not to run it faster than 3500 rpm on a regular basis.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Average life of a 4.3L mercruiser?

I have been told by another boat owner that 400 hours is a lot for a Merc I/O setup.

What was your friend basing this on???

As mentioned above there is no reason not to expect a gas marine engine to reach 2000 hours. While many don't last half that long, there are some well loved ones out there pushing 4000hrs.

The test drive is a must, but if you can get a mechanic to do a compression and leakdown test on it.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Average life of a 4.3L mercruiser?

Mine has been in my boat for 20 years and easily has 2000 hours on it. It has never been apart and doesn't burn any oil. Of course I maintain it and it is fresh water cooled.
I have replaced some external accessories along the way (2 starters, 1 PS pump, rebuilt carb several times).

 

[642mx]

Re: Average life of a 4.3L mercruiser?

My 4.3 has 420 hours on it and it doesn't seem like its broke-in yet. I kind of wish it would loosen up just a little.

 

[piratedude]

Re: Average life of a 4.3L mercruiser?

i had fresh water 350 w/ 1200 hrs on it- ran good. had a another 350 w/ 400 hrs and blew up- salt water use. so fresh water last long time as long as u winterize. most motors bite the dust because of winterization issues, or salt corrosion and over heating.

 

[MarkIC]

Re: Average life of a 4.3L mercruiser?

I had a 1994 4.3LX in my boat until a couple of years ago... I put it in new and used it regularly, and serviced it religiously. When I took it out of the boat it had 1024 hrs on it. A friend bought it and I installed it in his boat for him... I still maintain it and he has put another 200 hours on it... It still runs flawlessly, and I can't see it stopping any time soon.... I suspect it will have at least 2000 hours on it before it needs a 'freshen up'....

Chris............

Hi was this raw water cooled???

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Average life of a 4.3L mercruiser?

Hi was this raw water cooled???

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