Knot It
Member
I do not have the link any more and for some reason, I dont show the PMs I sent to other members that asked for them. Perhaps they, XplicitInck, GrandMaster might still have the documents.
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Hey Knot It! I live on the Illinois side, have a friend or 2 at the marinas up in alton/grafton on the Mississippi.We recently purchased our '01 340 DA and could not be happier with the purchase...We LOVE it and have spent just about every weekend on her until last weekend when we winterized her:smt089.
As for the plastic through hulls and water intrusion, I have not heard of this being an issue, and have not seen any sign of it on our boat. Our gel coat is holding up very well and she looks like new after a bath. I must admit, I do need to give her a nice new wax job but she does shine and looks pretty. I have a few friends that have Rinkers, Chaps, Larsons, and Cruisers Yachts and I think mine (gel coat) looks as good or better than any of them.
Now on to the 7.4 Horizon and the dreaded water ingestion issue. I did EXTENSIVE research on this issue when we bought our 340. Our boat has the 7.4 Horizon and she had only 160 and 161 hours on the engines when we bought her so I was pretty concerned. In my research, I found that this issue occurred primarily in boats that are:
1.)1998-2001 model boats that operated in the salt water environment. It rarely, if ever, occurred in freshwater.
2.) Were the HORIZON models with V-drives. It was not only the 7.4 engines, it was reported to have occurred in the small block power packages as well.
3) Had the horizontal log style collector exhaust set up. In the salt water applications, the horizon's valve overlap (which was already purposefully extended to produce more power) was extended even further due to salt water corrossion slowing or not allowing the valves to seat properly thus creating an extended opportunity for the "reversion" to occurr which sometimes lead to catastrophic engine failure.
Sea Ray and Merc got together and a number of the engines that fell victim to this were replaced at no cost to the owners, some however were not so lucky. During my research, I was able to obtain Sea Rays internal SERVICE BULLETIN #02-07, dated 10/11/01. This bulletin explains the findings of the Sea Ray/Merc investigation of the "water ingestion" issue and the procedures for converting boats to the new water lift muffler. In the document, there was a procedure for owners of the '99-'01 model boats to get replacement of their damaged engines and or to have the conversion done. It also explains some safeguards and or preventative measures for those owners who were not having any problems. In cases where the log style mufflers were to remain the document lists/ explains the specific exhaust riser heights, tube length and down angles required by these engines for proper operation. I also found Mercruisers SERVICE BULLETIN #2001-13 which deals with the water ingestion issue from Merc's standpoint. I tried to upload the docs here but the system would not let me. I'll be glad to email these documents as well as another document about this issue to you if you would like.
So, in my shopping for a 340, I wanted the 7.4 Horizon for a number of reasons but primarily for the reliability and power they have as well as for the closed cooling. I worked with my dealer as well as my surveyor very closely in regards to the water ingestion issue to ensure I would be ok. So, as suggested in the Sea Ray and Merc service bulletins, here are the things I asked them to confirm in addition to the "regular survey" items.
1.) Exhaust tube length and down angle met or exceeded recommendations.
2.) Riser height extention had been completed and there were no signs of leaks in the riser joints.
3.) Hose clamp was installed in center of exhaust tubeing.
4.) Boat was infact a freshwater only boat. (had to speak to previous owners).
5.) Engines were original and had not been replaced.
Since our purchase, I have put almost 100 hours on her. We drove her home from just outside of Chicago down the Illinois river and boat on the Mississippi river and have not had any problems thus far. I also have a very good friend in my marina who owns a 1998 370 with the same engines and set up I have. He has 680 hours (all freshwater) on his engines and has had no problems either. Hope this helps.
Sam
Here are the documents I could find.
In a nut shell, what people are saying, is the 7.4L engine is a proven performer. The issue was with the type of muffler used (called a log style if memory serves). Water was able to be drawn up into the engine because the exhaust design was not very good. Boats with 7.4L engines and water lift mufflers never had the ingestion issue.Thanks. Yeah I realize this post is old, I was just hoping that Knot It would still be able to email the docs mentioned above. Thanks for the note on the coolant. It was investigated and not engine related.
Is your boat on the river or LOTO now? If so what is the name on it? I might know the boat/owner. Where are you going to keep your boat? I'd say with 700+ hours, you are going to be fine. The first thing id be looking at is the numbers on the compression test. All cylinders should be within 10% of each other. If not start asking lots of questions. Yes the 340 ER is tiny and tough to work in and is the primary reason I love a 380.
Good luck,
Sammy
Hey Sammy
The boat is at MarineMax at LOTO. Named “Knot Golfin”. Besides the survey, I am getting a compression test done on the genny and both motors. So excited, hoping/prayers for everything to check out good
Great info,
The one I am looking at, does have the riser, so I have that going for me!
Thank you
Chris 380, I hope maybe this can help you a little bit. The attached photos are of my engines and exhaust set up and was taken by the dealer at the time of my purchase. I had them agree to include the photos showing/confirming the measurements and down angles were in compliance with Sea Ray bulletin 02-07 and was included as part of our Survey and closing documents.View attachment 64804 View attachment 64805