Cummins 6CTA8.3 Marine Engine Aftercooler Servicing

Marine engine aftercoolers are often neglected but need regular maintenance. Here we remove, service, and reinstall a pair of 450 HP (Diamond Series) Cummins 6CTA8.3 turbocharged marine engine aftercoolers.

[@tombutler8201]

You were immensely helpful on cleaning my Cummins Aftercooler. I am impressed with your skills and fortitude. I only have a single, and I am younger than you, but it was still a challenge. Hats off.

[@chuckmayerchak3071]

Very interesting and informative video. Beside cleaning the water passages I also would be soaking the air side of the exchanger. In the supercharged intercooler lightning and Harley trucks, the wash them with brake parts cleaner or soak it in diluted purple power and rinse it well. Just a thought.

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

You'll see in next episode how I do exactly that. Well, simple green instead of purple power. But same drill.

[@steverizzuto6497]

That is a cool thing to know. If you don't sevice them on a schedule you may never get them apart again. By the way from what I've seen of your boat i like it very much.

[@tillmanxl6914]

It's always a pleasure watching your Videos, thank you. 😊 👍🏻

[@ShainAndrews]

That's a lot of engine for that rig. Like anything, keep up on the PMI and the equipment will treat a person well for a very long time.

[@islandbreezecharterscayman8879]

Great video, thank you very much, part 1 and 2 are so thorough. Very informative and will help me a lot when I do mine!

[@gerasimosa4441]

Having a hard time getting one core out. Got it flush with the housing on one side but wont budge anymore. Was thinking of getting a piece of wood cut to the exact diamter of the housing and hammering it down.

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

That's a reasonable approach. Or, try putting a couple bar clamps on and press it out.

[@randythomas2512]

very good video and very informative thanks for all you do

[@scruffy6151]

Started watching half way through the dozer build which I enjoyed. Now watching the boat maintenance and enjoying it also. Do we get to have a look around the boat after all the maintenance is done and maybe go for a short ride along.

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

Yes. That's coming in a couple weeks

[@timmywarren2349]

Very good video 👍 👍

[@jerrysmith8796]

I believe I would put me some kind of drain on the bottom of these things when I come in from a cruise every time.

[@Steezelouiz]

Great video, very informative! I have a question for you and I would appreciate any thoughts you may have. How many hours does the 6CTA last typically? I’m currently looks at 2 separate sea rays with these engines. 1100 hours one and 1450 hours on the other, they have records of maintenance ect. Regards, Robert

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

Engine life is contingent on conservative engine loading--and many boats are delivered over-propped. Be sure during sea trial that the engines run up to spec at WOT. If they don't reach 2600+ rpms at WOT when lightly loaded as the boat will be for a sea trial, then be very cautious as it may be over-propped and damage may have already been done. Get a certified marine Cummins tech to instrument the engines during sea trial. It will cost you $1500 or more to do that, but it's money well spent. I havd 2000 hours on my engines, near zero oil consumption, original turbos. I'd expect 5000 hours or more easily if propped and run conservatively.

[@watson7880]

How often do you think this should be done in time and running hours… Also can u give a link for the air filter you use?

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

sbmar.com is the website with details on this process and advice on service intervals. I do it every 4 years. Depends on you situation. In FL probably need to do it every 3 years. Running hours don't matter as much as "marine time' as Tony Athens at Seaboard Marine (sbmar) recommends. He's the expert. I use their high performance air filters.

[@ironmule5200]

I know that's a Tiara but is that the 3700 or??. What year?

[@shankarbirajdar1356]

Sir , Why two aftercooler are used on one engine ? One on intake manifold is not enough?

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

One aftercooler per engine.

[@mrrewog]

Is there a way that salt water can get into the engine from the aftercooler?

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

Yes. Since salt water circulates through the tube bundle, if there are leaks, that water will be carried into the engine's intake with the air from the turbo charger which passes over the outside of the tube bundle. That's the reason to do a pressure test prior to returning the after cooler to service.

[@mrrewog]

@@woodandmetalshoptime8048 Thanks for the response.

[@stuckcamping]

If the after-coolers are plugged would this create loss in performance/rpms?

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

Yes. Without adequate water flow, your air charge is not cooled as much, is less dense (less oxygen for combustion) and you wind up with an overly rich fuel mixture and unburned fuel out the exhaust. Loss of power and lots of black smoke. In the extreme, since this tube bundle is upstream of the heat exchanger and the exhaust/water mixing elbow, if the tubes are more than 75-80% blocked, you might not get enough flow to cool the engine's heat exchanger and, worst case, might overheat the exhaust system.

[@limbandtreeremoval]

Do standard live aboard trawlers have (katie Krogen/ Nordhavn/ ect...) intercoolers...? Didn't know this in-depth service/ maintenance scheduling... Sincerely Thank you Ric, VA

[@bryanness4827]

like your videos but you need to move the mic away from your mouth. I hear your heavy breathing and you swallowing more than what you are working on

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

Good feedback. I noticed that as well. Will take care of that. New microphone, working out the bugs, so to speak.