Feedback on Detroit diesels 8.2 1988 vintage needed

row · May-05-2008, 06:07 AM

My buddy is looking at a 1988 Fexus (Mikelson)42 that has Detroit Diesels 8.2 with 850 hrs. He will get a full survey and mechanical inspection before buying but wanted to hear any pros or cons on these power plants as we have no experience with them.

My guess is that they are a bit noisy and smoky. They look in generally good condition. A little worried that the boat has not been used a lot and has sat at the dock as it was used as a live a board for some time.

Any and all comments are welcome and appreciated.

zigzag · May-05-2008, 08:22 AM

Blow by is fierce.Make sure you have a good set of Air Seps.Pull some oil and send out for lab testing.Low hours not a good thing.But not allways bad.Noted for oil leakage in the bilge.You need a good engine survey .Dont buy till you get it.Sea tril is going to tell the story.Who knows they may be good engines.TOp Rs for 1 hour flat and see what comes unscrewed.Good luck

af dreamer · May-05-2008, 08:45 AM

8.2s are a 4 cyc engine,no blow by or oil in the engine room.I have owned at least 4 sets of them.The weak link is the gasket under the turbo.I would keep fresh paint on the area and would replace the gasket when it would show some weeping.Med. duty engine,had them in a 37 striker and a 42ft custom spt fisher also a 41 hatteras.I would not consider them these day unless last resort.Tom

mongo75 · May-05-2008, 08:45 AM

I'd use blackstone-labs.com for oil analysis- if you send the sample out via USPS priority, you usually get results via email within 4-5 days

Afry · May-05-2008, 01:35 PM

What Tom said about turbo gaskets. I had to replace my exhaust elbows to turbo and they are a make as ordered part from GM. It was quicker to have them made out of stainless locally.

As memtioned they do not blow a lot of oil unless overfilled. I find that if I run my oil levels right at the low mark at the end of the dipstick I use very little oil but if I run at the full mark it will blow oil till it gets near the low mark and stay there.

Noisey and not big power but will run and run. My 38' Med will cruise @ 16-18 knots @ 1 nmpg and wot is 22 knots @ less nmpg.

Just keep the running temp under 210 degrees and preferably around 200 and they will last. Oil sample is good idea but better if you change it and run for a 10+ hours and then sample since it's been sitting.

drdiesel · May-05-2008, 03:03 PM

Just what Arnie said keep them running cool, if nthey run too hot or over heat, that could possibly crack the liner o-rings then its nothing but money from there on! Be preparred for oil leaks, they dont call them Drip-troits for nothing!