3.0 liter Mercruiser engine noise?
 

I know it's not performance stuff but I'm sure someone here can help me.
I looked at a little Sea Ray today with a mate who just wants to putter around close to shore with his kids. Boat/engine is 2009 and we ran the engine on the hose. Started nicely but the engine sounded 'rattly', not as bad as a diesel sound but sort of similar. Didn't rev it beyond 2,000 rpm on the hose. Seller says it's all A1 and I've no reason to doubt him.

Couple of questions, are they a noisey little engine?
Would a good test run across the rev range highlight any issues?
Alpha one gearbox oil reservoir was low and he said the sensor that was beeping because the oil is low. What would you do, put a little oil in it first and then watch closely? (I didn't know they had a sensor!)

I just want to help out a good friend who knows even less than I do so any input will be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
RR

Hard to tell without being there to hear it but they are kind of noisey. 'Rattly' was a good description. Worked on one the other year in a pontoon. Luckily that was the only one. LOL.

I can say that since they are so wimpy, they are typically run hard most all the time.

My buddy has this engine in a 17 Rinker. It's relatively quiet when running. IIRC there was a guy on FB that had noise in a 3.0, I think he ended up installing new lifters.

I wouldn't mess with it. hard motor to get parts for, especially in thailand. you live in outboard country. I am sure center consoles with outboards are plentiful.

is it carb or MPI - yes I have to work on these to because people buy entry level boats as well with the 3.0 L engines in them. Carb and MPI. Yes Merc has made a 3.0 MPI for years..

If this is a TKS carb engine NOT MPI --- the carb does not have a choke - all Mercruiser black carb engines from 2003 / 2004 went to a TKS carb - its a 2 bbl carb with a solenoid on the back side again no choke. These things are noisy as hell when warming up. It takes a bare min of 5 mins to even 10 to 15 mins depending on air temp for the damn thing to deactivate the TKS solenoid. I really do not want to get into all the tech stuff about TKS carb. But believe it or not they can sound like a u - joint rattle noise until it fully warms . TKS = Mercruiser way to promote Turn Key Start. NO choke

here is what a Merc TKS carb is - they are very expensive thru Merc and really worthless. They 4 sure can become very problematic especially if one does not perform fuel maintenance.

https://www.marineengine.com/parts/i...08M0084193.jpg

I call it the straight 4 roar. They are a pretty rugged engine though

many of the parts to this GM engine come from mexico including the block They internally corrode from the inside out very easy. Even in lake waters. I would not own one nor want one. also a flat tappet engine so if the correct motor oils has not been used - watch out.

They can break starter bolts easily because of the harmonics from the engine at the 2000 - 2800 rpm ranges -- The starter needs the front bracket installed if they do not have them already. Merc and Volvo know this and offer a bracket kit plus correct starter bolt torque is required at all times and must be checked. 30 ft lbs

In the summer boating months - I see about 2 to 3 - 3.0 L Merc and Volvo s per week. They are not dependable engines. Even Volvo knew this and quit making the 3.0 L : back in 2010. Merc is dropping it as well. if they have not already. ---- prob left over stock if they have them.

We deal with these same engines in the forklift biz and yes they can be a bit noisy

The 3.0 is an industrial motor and been around a long time. Not much power but taken care of it will hold up a long time just as any other motor. There are thousands of them in all kinds of boats so I have never found finding parts an issue.

A test ride is always a good idea

After running the boat for the test ride, put it on the trailer and have the drive full down, then remove the drain plug just enough to see what the gear lube looks like. If it looks good then probably (if it is bought) remove the drive, drain and pressure / vacuum test it

Big thank you to all, lots of great info there.

My mate really likes the boat but sounds like he'd be wise to offer low...... (subject to a water test of course) I encouraged him towards outboard power but most of the boats here are local Thai made boats and lack style. Sea Ray are the only big overseas manufacturer represented in Thailand and they have sold a lot of boats but all inboard power.

Thanks again for the valuable input, might need some more investigation.

Cheers,
Jon.

If he really loves the boat it seems simple enough to find a spare engine to rotate in if need be.

Marine and forklift engine only. The marine were all raw water. And he is in thailand.

I've warned him about raw water cooling and salt issues in other areas. Flush twice then clean everything with soap and rinse thoroughly. Repeat. Repeat.
My boat on the way is an inboard but believe me, if there was anything similar available for the same money with outboard power I would have purchased it. The market is limited here, that's why I'm on my 3rd 'privately imported' boat.

My mate is slowly shying away from the 3.0 liter Sea Ray after seeing all the responses here. Might be back to square one!

Jon.

will say again the 3.0 is a very entry level engine and do not for get it is put in very entry level boats and their builds. I bet this is in a 175 BR sea ray. Sea ray has a bigger marketing name than anything but as one would crawl around their builds - you would not be impressed. And the 175 Sea Ray is a POS build - extremely entry level boat plus the complete build and engine package here. I would not buy either period. If I recall possible could have been made in Mexico along side the 175 Bayliner but I might be wrong about that. I do know the Bayliner 175 was made in Mexico thru out certain years. And I do know most of the 3.0 L GM parts are made in Mexico.

Also forklift comparing to is not apples to apples --- for one the cooling and duty cycle of the engine is not like any boat period. Then add in the saltwater here. Even in lake waters these marine 3.0 L engines build corrosion from the inside out faster than any other marine engine I have seen.

what I meant by forklift engine is the only place to find a block that lived it's life with antifreeze is if you know people who fix forklifts.

OK, thanks guys. If I can't talk him out of buying the boat I'll wash my hands of the whole thing and let him do what he wants without any help from me. I'm now convinced it's not the right boat for what he wants.

Its not a 175, it's a 185 sport if that makes any difference. I've owned 3 bigger Sea Rays and I can see the difference in things like the quality of the vinyl, heavy seat bases, stainless badging instead of stickers so I guess this runs deeper than just cosmetic items. Probably a reflection on the entire build.

Once you start comparing a boat to a 'Binliner' I know it's not the right boat! :o

Cheers,
Jon.

I hear you and my comments, I was not clear on my end as I did understand your comments about the raw water cooled and in Thailand . I totally agree with you.


The 185 Sport BR is a step up from the 175 but 185 is a bigger boat all the way round that is underpowered with the 3.0 L. Most owners with the 185 had V6's installed. Most 195 had a 5.0 V-8. The Sport series is a step down compared to Sea Ray Select series. Just saying.