4BT 250's

[Capt B]

I'm in the process of finalizing a deal to replace my 41P's with a pair of 4 BT's. I know there have been a variety of experiences with the 4 BT's (initially it was vibration and cracking the housing with the injection pump, then the porcelain tips on the injectors) - any other problems. I anticpate putting in 630 A 1.5:1 gears.

Please share any other concerns you have experienced with the engines.

[Split Decision]

Brian, I think they got all the bugs worked out but not 100% sure.

Are these going to be new engines?

I think the biggest complaint that I heard was that it was under powered with those. Even heard it from Mac.

Why don't you talk to Larry about the new D-4 volvo. He is getting great performance with his.

If you tried the new commonrail, I think you will be surprised on how nice they run. Now if they made the 4-B in a QSB version, that might be the ticket also. The commonrail has a much better torque curve than the mechanical engines.

Come on down and I will give you a ride on mine so you can see how nice they really are.

[Capt B]

Tom.

I've spoken with Mac quite a bit on these regarding the gears, performance, etc. Should have a cruise in the vicinity of 24 kts. with a top end of 26-28 which is fast enough for me. I don't have a tower, so my 28 is probably a bit lighter that those with one. The engines are used, one was never in a boat - only a lab and the other one was installed in a 24' chris craft and has 25 hours on it - (it was too heavy for the boat and put the scuppers below the water line) - so the boat has been sitting in the owners garage. After my repower in the Shamrock and 2,000 trouble free hours, I'm definitely a Cummins man.

[Laukia]

lots of vibrartion and noise........

I looked at a CC28 without a tower with those engines. It was so loud at cruise you had to literally shout about 6" away to be heard. It had to struggle to come up to plane and break free. The largest Cummins dealer on the West Coast (Tony Athens) warned me off those engines. "Not socially acceptable" is how he put it. He said they (Cummins) needed to go back to engineering school on those engines. Pretty harsh criticism from a guy that has sold hundreds of Cummins engines. I passed on that boat (a 2001) and it still hasn't sold, almost a year later and 35K less than he was asking. It sure isn't because of the hull. You may want to do a search on boatdiesel.com. Just my 2 cents.

[backman]

Theres a CC28 w/ 4BT's at my marina

He was an honest 24 knot boat - he had the injector problem multiple times. The plus on those engines was good range; he was getting 1.5+ nmiles/gallon.

They are noisy and smoke, but your used to that w/ your 41's anyways.

[biteme]

4b250

i had a 2001 cc fully loaded with those engines. nothing but trouble. underpowered and neverending injector problems..i traded out of it to a 2003 cc w 315 yanmars spring of 04. the dealer still has the boat for sale on his website..good luck !!!

[CClassic28]

Brian,

I have the 250's in my boat and I am fairly happy with their performance. Yes, some additional HP's would be nice to get me up and out faster, but they run just fine. I don't think you will be dissapointed in the performance you will achieve with them.

As you know, Acme made me a set of wheels this winter and I have seen better #'s with them. Just something to think about.


You should cruise 25 knots +/- @ 2600 and just touch 30 @ wot.

Let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help in any way I can.


Good Luck,

Chris

[Capt B]

Chris,

What year are your 4 BT's? Have you replaced the injectors or had any problems with the injector bracket (cracked on some due to vibration)?

Thanks,

Brian

[biteme]

4b250

maybe my pair were just lemons !!!!

[BIg T]

ANother vote against 4BTA250s.

They tease you with wanting to cruise right at the edge of "hull breakaway" speed, and are noisier than hell.

I certainly wouldn't repower to get 4Bs...6Bs or D-4s maybe...


Big T

Ft Pierce, FL

[CClassic28]

Brian,

The boat and motors are 2001, and now have 500 hrs on them. I bought the boat with 170 hrs and the injectors had already been replaced at 150 hrs. Since then, the only trouble I have had has been with the water pumps (had to replace both @ 200 hrs & again @ 480 hrs).

My boat is fully loaded, tower, genny ... and as I said the performance is acceptable.

Being you are a hardtop boat you should see slightly better #'s.


Yes, these are mechanical motors and will smoke at start up but run pretty clean. They are fairly noisy compared to todays common rail diesels and do vibrate, but only @ 600 RPM's. Once the throttle is advanced slightly all vibration goes away.

Compared to your 41P's you will be very pleased with the package.

Again, this is only my opinion and as you can see some tend to disagree.
You must weigh your options and form your own opinion. I know that $$ play a big picture and the 250's slightly used are probably the best deal for the $$.


Good luck,

Chris

[kingpin]

4b's

I have 4b's and have been pretty happy with them.... the range is great and i cruise right along. I use the boat for charter and our fishing grouds are close... so speed is not that big of an issue, but we still move along at around 25 kts.. loaded with clients, fuel, and a tower.

I owned a yanmar in the past...... not always the easiest motor to work on and there seem to e a whole lot more cummins dealers than yanmar. I will say the yanmar got great range.... but the parts are expensive!!!!

[stanley111]

I also have 250's on a 2000 28 with tower and generator, I have had injector problems and cummins took care of them, I had a broken bracket on a return trip from Hatteras in 5-7' seas, a failed fuel injector pump and other small issues. The best thing I did was change to Acme props and realize when you go offshoe you need to limit your crew to a total of 3 plus gear.WHAT MAKES ME APPRECIATE THESE ENGINES IS I CAN RUN 60 MILES OFFSHORE, TROLL ALL DAY, RUN BACK TO STARTING POINT THEN RUN 2 HOURS HOME AND STILL HAVE 1/4 TANK LEFT, CRUISE AT 22 KNOTS WITH FULL LOAD AND 24-25 KNOTS NORMALLY, I NEVER RUN FULL THROTTLE THATS WHEN THE VIBRATION AND PROBLEMS START. I USE HOWES MEAN POWER CLEANER WITH EVERY FUEL UP AND HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM IN OVER A YEAR .SURE I WISH THEY WERE FASTER AND NOT AS LOUD, BUT MY BUDDY WITH A 30' BOSTON WHALER WITH 2-250 4 STROKES IS RIDING ON FUMES ON THE WAY IN. IT ALL BOILS DONE TO HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND INITIALLY AND LEARN FROM EVERYONE'S ADVICE.GOOD LUCK.THE BOAT IS UNQUESTIONABLY THE BEST I HAVE EVER OWNED.

[Agitator]

4b250

I have a pair of 4B's in a 2003 CC28 with no tower and no generator. The boat is kept on lift, so the bottom and running gear stay clean. The boat has about 800 hrs. of fairly trouble free offshore use. Cummins replaced the injectors at around 550 hrs and one more at 600 hrs. Other than routine maintenance, which I do and having the heat-exchangers pulled and cleaned at 500 hrs, the engines have been trouble-free. The boat is slow out of the hole, but cruises very comfotably at 24-26 kts at 2500 RPM. My boat tops out at almost 32 kts in the fall and winter and around 30 in the summer. I have the original props, which have not been pulled.
I do not find the engines to be particularly loud, but my wife says I'm selectively hard of hearing and I doubled the gaskets around the helm deck. Vibration is somewhat offensive at idle, but I do not idle that often. If you are getting vibration at cruise or above, you have probably have a prop problem.
We fish along the edge of the Gulf Stream off the Charleston area. A typical trip is from 160 to 200 NM. We burn from 120 to 150 gallons depending on load, sea conditions, and the time of year ( temp and relative hum ).
If I had it all to do over again, I might get the 6BTA300-330's. That decision would be based on resale and potential longevity. For 95% of the running and trolling that I do, these are very good engines. I anticipate 2500-3000 hrs and then I will be OLD!

Good Luck,
Agitator

PS I am very comfortable with my ability to troubleshoot and repair common ailments on these mechanical engines. I am not so sure about a soft ware or sensor problem 60 miles offshore.