What’s The Life Expectancy of a Marine Diesel Engine?

On this page:

1. A Closer Look at the Numbers
2. Life Span of Inboard vs. Outboard Motor
3. Factors That May Reduce Your Engine's Life Span
4. Healthy Marine Diesel Engine Maintenance Practices
5. Why Does a Marine Diesel Engine Last Longer?
6. Effects of Salt, Brackish and Fresh Water
7. In Conclusion

A Closer Look at the Numbers

On average, marine engines run this long:

• Outboard diesel motors usually run for more than 3,000 hours
• Inboard marine diesels should run for an average of 5,000 hours
• Well-maintained diesel engines run up to 8,000 hours
• Gasoline engines only run for about 1,500 on average

Diesel engines, apart from having a more reasonable fuel economy than gasoline engines, also have a prolonged life span. A gasoline engine only runs for about 1,500 hours on average. The last 500 hours in most instances is a struggle with efficiency if the engine is not managed well at that point.

In the case of marine diesel engines too, its last days aren’t mostly the best, speaking of efficiency.

Automobile engines have a longer time doing their rightful jobs. This is because they aren't exposed to as many woes as marine diesel engines. More adversity = less longevity, is the way engines work.

Life Span of Inboard vs. Outboard Motor

The basic difference between the inboard and outboard diesel motor is that outboards are mounted outside the boat to create more space in the boat while inboards are installed just inside the boat. Both are constantly in contact with water, and how fast they go redundant will depend on the water type they are being used on.

Regardless of being an outboard or inboard, the life expectancy of a marine diesel engine is largely influenced by the location of the engine. However, there is a slight difference in the life span of both outboard and inboard diesel motors.

An outboard motor usually runs for more than 3000 hours, give or take, while inboards lasts longer because they are mounted inside the middle of the boat and have inbuilt cooling and flushing system. An inboard marine diesel motor should run for an average of 5000 hours.

Factors That May Reduce Your Engine's Life Span

The fact that marine diesel engines can last long doesn't necessarily mean they will. Marine diesel engines can fail just as quickly as gasoline engines if it's not properly maintained. A marine engine sometimes is only as prolonged and effective as its maintenance and usage.

So how do you make sure you get it right? Let’s take a look at some poor and excellent maintenance practices that may positively or negatively affect the life span of your diesel marine engine.

Poor Marine Diesel Engine Maintenance Practices

A marine diesel engine is supposed to last for an average of 5,000 hours. Unfortunately, a poorly-maintained marine diesel engine is liable to last a lot shorter.

Poor cooling

The first harm that could be done to a marine diesel engine is not ensuring it cools properly. At least 50% of marine diesel engines turn to scraps in time because of poor cooling system maintenance. Marine diesel engines have a high piston compression, several times that of gasoline engines. This high piston compression causes heat and calls for a commensurate cooling.

Inconsistent use

Inconsistent use is also a major factor affecting marine diesel engines. Most marine diesel engines run at low RPM which sometimes causes the engine not to warm up to operating temperature. Not using your diesel boat is just as harmful as not taking care of its cooling system.

Inproper engine load

Every engine is made to operate with a certain load. Getting the load right is just as important, perhaps the most important factor determining engine life span. An inproperly loaded engine is a recipe for disaster, as the engine will not run within its optimal range.

To calculate the right outboard motor size for a sailboat, read the article here (new tab).

Other poor engine maintenance practices include:

• Lack of regular inspection regular inspection
• Refusal to install the necessary sensors
• Inconsistent oil changes
• Engine ineptness

A well-maintained engine, on the other hand, is one that has the potential of running up to 8000 hours. It's basically just the opposite of a poorly maintained marine diesel engine as you would expect.

Healthy Marine Diesel Engine Maintenance Practices

A well-maintained engine is properly checked periodically. You want to ensure that easy fixes don’t turn into killer problems. This check also involves observing some basic routines.

Fuel check is essential because even the minutest of specks can damage the engine in the long run. The injectors are fragile and they require purified diesel because they spray on a seemingly microscopic level. You might be saving not only your injector but your engine altogether by doing this often.

The filters should also be constantly checked to ensure that the elements accumulated in them over time are emptied. Water is very dangerous to the engine and mostly at the fuel dock, its impossible to leave without having gotten a bit of water in the fuel tank. It is converted to steam and may harm the injectors, breed other organisms and create rust.

Use and installation of sensors are equally very important. Install strainers which ensure that foreign sea objects like grass and the likes are not unfiltered. Consistent use ensures that seawater which is supposed to keep the engine cool does not lead to sludge, eventually affecting the cooling system.

There are a lot of good maintenance practices to mention. Here are a few more important ways to properly maintain a marine diesel engine:

• Topping off fuel tank when the engine isn’t in use to aid fuel cleaning
• Use of clear filter glass bowls
• The constant change of oil every 150 hour

Why Does a Marine Diesel Engine Last Longer?

The main reason for the longevity marine diesel engines possess is the result of use and design. Maintenance factors and quality of the engine initially purchased will definitely affect the normal life expectancy of a marine diesel engine. Let’s look at the main reasons why it runs longer.

Bigger Structure

Marine diesel engines tend to be on the extra side as compared to gasoline engines when it comes to size. They usually have a

• Bigger crank
• Bigger crankshaft
• High oil capacity
• Gear Drives
• Multiple thermostats
• Piston cooling jet

Marine diesel engines are gear driven. This means that they make use of gear systems. They usually have no timing belt to break neither do they have gears that loose nor break. The fact that the thermostats are multiple implies that if one stops working, the other continues to work. This reduces the possibility of overheat. The piston cooling jet also keeps the piston cool; constantly lubricating it by spraying engine oil.

Great Lubricant

Diesel is light oil. It’s a lubricant and a decent one at that. While gasoline deteriorates and eats whatever comes in contact with it, diesel preserves.

It’s also a lot less volatile. The fact that it is injected at the point of combustion gives room for less danger when compared to gasoline which mixes air and fuel during combustion.

The last set of reasons why they may run longer is because they operate on less RPM and they go through less heating cycles.

Effects of Salt, Brackish and Fresh Water

Salt Water

Boat engines in salt water are constantly exposed to the most adverse environment there is for engines. A boat engine is mostly made of metals and salt water is no friend to metals. Its corroding effect is so high that most engines come with flushing systems to help get rid of saltwater and prevent it from settling into the motor after operations.

So you need to do constant maintenance in order to use the engine to the fullest. During a boat ride or a cruise, salt water will naturally touch some parts of the engine. Even with constant cleaning, continuous contact of a marine diesel engine with salt water will significantly shorten the life expectancy of a diesel motor faster than a motor used in brackish water and fresh water respectively.

Brackish Water

Brackish water is usually fresh water mixed with salt water in different degrees. The fact that there is a reasonable amount of salt in brackish water suggests the effect it could have on the life expectancy of a marine diesel motor. The bottom line is that salt is bad for any motor engine because it corrodes the metallic component very fast. Brackish water has a more subtle effect on marine diesel engines. Nonetheless, marine diesel engine motors that consistently come in contact with brackish water wouldn’t last as long as if it didn’t.

Freshwater

Freshwater is friendlier to a diesel motor. They don’t contain salts that are dangerous to the motor and don’t corrode engines as fast as salt and brackish water. On average, a diesel motor used on freshwater will last the longest.

In Conclusion

Conclusively, the beauty of a boat is in its effectiveness and longevity. And these all rest on maintenance. Using the tips in this article should give you the best chance of smooth sailing. The waters are just as enjoyable as the wellness of the boat gliding through its surface.