496 Durability?
 

I find myself constantly running WOT, it's just entirely too much fun! :D

Just how much abuse can this thing really take? My boat weights 4,400lb and has a regular Bravo I drive. I have less than 50 hours on it. DO all the regular maintenance plus change the oil every 30 hours with the regular Mercruiser oil for warranty purposes.

It's run mostly on fresh water only with occasional use in brackish waters (once a year for a 4-5 days).

Just wondering how many hours this thing will last?

If you would post your hours and how hard your run it would be most appreciated.

Re: 496 Durability?
 

got 100 + hrs in a set if these and only issues were a couple of sensors. love theses engines

Re: 496 Durability?
 

100+ hard hours. 40+ with prochargers added. So far, so good.

Re: 496 Durability?
 

Island Hopper,

Can you give me some info on your procharger installation? I am seriously considering them for my boat and I have triple 496's.
1. Type of boat.
2. Performance improvements
3. Who installed and how hard
4. Costs
5. Would you do it again?

Thanks,
Keith

Re: 496 Durability?
 

Well I'm up to 225 and she is running like a top. From every thing I have heard if you take care of it like you should these things will last 1000 hrs or more.
P.S. I like to run mine too. :D

Re: 496 Durability?
 

Just as info, you do not have to run Mercruiser oil for warranty to be upheld. They may tell you that you do, but when push comes to shove (court) you do not have to.

Re: 496 Durability?
 

Kr,
It's a 2002 Formula 353. Used the 5lb kit, and installed by Dixie Marine in Prospect Ky. Originally low to mid 70's. After the initial installation, using the original Bravo 1.50 drives, and 34 pitch props we were getting mid to high 80's. Just put 1.36 XR's with, Imco lowers, and 30 pitch props, now hitting 90. The kit was not bad to install, had to cut, and modify a stringer on the port side. We only had to remove the port engine to do the installation, and stringer work. Pretty happy with it I would do it again. Not sure what the going prices are now, I suspect 6-8k per eng. Call Doug at Dixie Marine at 502-292-3067. He is a dealer and can give you a price

Re: 496 Durability?
 

If you do have a warranty issue, you may have problems when they see the engine operating history (revealing many hours at the rev limit).

Dave

Re: 496 Durability?
 

330 hours, change oil every 50 with straight 40 wt. Hammer it when ever I want. I'm going for that 1000, shouldn't take too long, it's an '02. Have fun. JC

Re: 496 Durability?
 

just did a run where i ran for more than 25 minutes wide open stopped for 10 then another 20 min, run wot followed by another 25 min run at wot ,no problems 187 hours.

Re: 496 Durability?
 

Hey boys had 19 hours on 496 mag and blew motor.Merc replaced with long block and I won't know exactly what happen till Merc send out a report.Mechanic thinks blow head gasket. :( :(

Re: 496 Durability?
 

parked my HO's on the dash 80% of 60-70 mile fun run last Sat.
Fresh Mobil 1
Never missed a beat. 128 hours on 'em

My 353 ran 72 and small change all day @4900 on 26 Bravos...in 90* heat and high humidity.
my NavMan plotter/fuel tells me on about 80 gallons of gas.
More than pleased. :)

Re: 496 Durability?
 

What is the oil consumption?

Re: 496 Durability?
 

Hey Mess, Sorry to here about your 496. Seems like your one of the few having problems,hangin there lighting can't strike twice.

Re: 496 Durability?
 

the only time mine use's oil is WOT , i used 1/2 quart after about an hour WOT, never use's oil on normal day's.

Re: 496 Durability?
 

Mine seems to use about a qt. every 10 hours. I have 35 hours on it so far.

Re: 496 Durability?
 

mine use zero oil

Re: 496 Durability?
 

I also have prochargers on my 2001 formula 353 I am running the 3.5 lb kit started with low 70's running consistent 80-83 gps nose coned my bravo1 and 30 pitch props removed the reversion plate on my exhaust .



runs great Doug at Dixie is awsome recomend him to anyone..

Island Hopper does yopur Formula chime walk any after 80mph..mine seams to get a little squirly up there can't figure out why yet..

Re: 496 Durability?
 

CT,
No, I am not having any chine walking. Are you turning your props in or out? Mine are turning out. I believe, if I recall corretly the drives should be towed in 1/4" at the prop shaft. Do not know if this will make a diference or not. Formula sets this from the factory. Check with them for the exact measurement.

mine have 150hr of 80% wide open throttle and doesn't miss a beat ! I Love this motor!

Hey, this thread is 6 years old. :lolhit:

Yeah, I had 330 hours back then and now have 685, gettin closer to that 1000. Water pump, booster pump, IAC. Thats it.

That's great to know. Mine have just over 400hrs on them.

I would like to here the results from Island Hopper and causin trouble with the pro chargers :grinser010:

What were the symptoms when the booster pump went out? Did the Guardian system give a signal?

I have a good friend with a 2002 Nordic Heat running a 496 Mag HO...So far has about 800 hours on it and it still runs strong! No problems with motor or drive (Bravo XR). Regular maintenance and typically runs the boat around 4000 RPM. We are curious how long it will last!

I'm aproaching 600 hours on HO's. Motors run great, knock on wood!

Glad to here all this good news. I have 375hrs on mine, bought the boat with 330 a year ago.

617 hrs on mine only 1 sea pump impeller at 600 hrs.baja 272 2001.

600 hrs on a sea pump? That's impressive.

i will never do it again to much troubles to find all the impeler piece in the cooling system.

Sorry for the delay on booster pump. Had a high speed miss similar to clogged pump I had expierenced before.
Cleaned it and didn't go away.
If you have never had your booster pump off, do it and check for debris on the little screen. I found a lot of crap, metal bugs etc. Fountain needs to put a piece of tape over the tanks on the shelf.