Carver Owners Forum

Hey guys, I'm trying to become a Carver owner. Put an offer in on a nice 430 Carver CMY with cummins 6BT's . We really like the layout and this boat is very clean for the year with some nice upgrades. During the engine survey they noted (and I saw as well) an "alarming" amount of blowby coming out of the starboard engine. It ran fine but did get pretty hot, noted 220 deg at WOT. Oil samples came back with 633 parts iron on that engine listed as critical. The mechanic says the blowby combined with what would be high cylinder wear tells him the engine needs to be replaced.

The seller was quick acknowledge and is willing to deal. The brokers first offer is to split a new engine at estimated 30k.

I'm considering the boat still but my question to you guys is how hard is it to get engines out of these? The mechanic said sometimes they have to take out a window to get them out. Just wondering how much of the boat has to come apart to help me decide if its worth going this route and having the engine replaced.

Thanks for any info.

Split the cost? Is the boat at a price point that deducts the bad engine? I would simply inform the broker to call you when it is fixed right, and keep shopping. er

Biggest question is how is the engine accessed and can it be rebuilt in place. Sometimes the boat needs to be opened up to replace an engine. Really need to get input on this before you buy as the removal/installation could be more expensive than the engine.

Welcome and please keep us posted on your decision and how they remove the engine from the boat

Well split was his first offer. I said let me think about it of course I will probably hit him for more. Engine is under the salon floor. I guess I was hoping somebody with a 430 or 396 AC(or something like that) which is the same boat without cockpit might have done it and know.

I'm not local to the boat so I can't swing by and take measurements or anything for any mechanic. And I'm hoping to buy it and bring it from texas to louisiana before doing the repair. So I can't have a mechanic who's going to pull the motor look at it. I need some prior experience info really.

Many diesels utilize cylinder sleeves which makes it easier to rebuild in place. Having said that, this type of repair warrants careful failure and repair cost analysis. While one would think it's cheaper to rebuild in place, but depending on the application and the extent of the repair, it might be cheaper to remove the engine and do off site.

Hopefully someone with the same model that's gone through this will chime in with details about engine removal. It also wouldn't hurt to contact Carver as they would know exactly what's required to accomplish that task.

The B series Cummins do not have sleeves and would not be a candidate for a rebuild in the boat. Request that the broker get an itemized estimate from 2 repair facilities so you know what you are dealing with.

Thanks for the input so far guys. Having the guys over at boatdiesel look at the oil analysis they think both engines were run pretty hard. I'm going to let the broker know I'm going to pass on the boat unless the owner wants to make me a ridiculous offer to take it off his hands. Shame as I really like the boat.

Well I guess I'm now still looking for any input from those that have done it, again.

I killed the deal and walked. 2 weeks later now the broker has contacted me and the owner offered it to me at 36k off what I was originally buying it for. So I'm buying the boat now, its too good of a deal to pass up.

Well, you got your work cut out for ya. Hopefully it all works out for you. Posting details of the process to get the engine out would be great for others if you decide to proceed. Are you getting a boat survey before pulling the trigger? You only mentioned an engine survey.