Cost of Overhaul

[GrowleyMonster]

Does it start right up? Smoke excessively, or after reaching normal running temp? Honestly, that is about 99% of the really important part. At 3k hours, poor maintenance and abusive operating practices will have already had an effect. So there is a pretty fair chance that it is in decent shape.



More testing is certainly not money wasted, though. Oil analysis. Leakdown. Compression. MAYBE vibration analysis. Those tests will tell you almost definitely whether your 3000 hour engine is still like new or is on the verge of catastrophic,failure or most likely somewhere in between but toward the like new end, which would be my wild ass guess.


To KEEP it like that, DIY change all the stuff that is easily changed like impeller(s), hoses, belts, thermostat, sensors/senders, wiring, stuff like that. An entire spare alternator and starter is mighty nice to have, even rebuilt. Set up a schedule for oil and filter changes and keep plenty of fuel and oil filters on hand. If you only have one fuel filter housing I most strongly suggest installing a duplex system in addition. Should be one that has clear bowls at the bottom, and water drains. This will save you a lot of grief. If possible/practical, install a filter or strainer on the downstream side of any pump that uses a rubber impeller. Seawater intake should also have a strainer. Bits of marine debris, bits of rubber impeller, other stuff can clog up heat exchanger or water channels in the block. Zincs most likely need replacing if there are any. Speaking of, drain your engine coolant and replace per mfgr specs while you are at it. Did I mention spare belts?



It is quite possible that with decent care your engine could give you another 10k hours before it needs serious attention. If you don't use it a lot, that could be many, many years from now. This is a sailboat, right? And you GOT to have it, right? I say don't let the 3k hours in and of itself deter you as long as it starts and runs good.