Stingray 3.0L Mercruiser and Alpha One Drive

[itcowboy]

I'm looking at a 2002 180LX Stingray with a 3.0L and Alpha One drive. Only has 90 hours, one owner, and has been maintained since new by the marine shop that sold it. It was moored at a marina during summer months but has always been under full cover. The hull, motor and drive all look like new. Just wondering if these are fairly reliable motors and drives? What's the average hour lifespan on these motors and drives?

 

[45Auto]

Re: Stingray 3.0L Mercruiser and Alpha One Drive

The 4 cylinder Mercruisers and Volvos are about the most simple and reliable motors out there. They've been around almost unchanged for 40 years or so.


IF it is maintained correctly (oil changes, tune-ups, filters, winterized correctly, manifolds/risers changed before they start leaking, bellows changed before leaking, etc) then they will easily go over 2000 hours. Most recreational users put much less than 100 hours a year on their boat, probably nearer 50, so the motor should easily be good for 30-40 years.


What usually happens as the boat gets older is people aren't capable of doing the maintenance themselves and start skimping on paying the dealer $100/hour to do it, then sell the boat. It usually catches up with someone who doesn't know enough to check everything out (or get someone who does ) around the 3rd or 4th owner. Then that person posts here wanting to know why their engine is hydrolocked or the outdrive is full of water.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Stingray 3.0L Mercruiser and Alpha One Drive

My 1985 3.0 has been bullet proof. I've owned it since 1996 and have only put one water pump impellor, one shift cable, and an alternator on it. Even after sitting 5 months over the winter, it always starts on the first turn of the key.