The Boating Forum - Cummins marine engine

Any views on the Cummins QSC8.3 540mhp @ 2600rpm? Pros /cons??

I have two. Good engines. Quiet, economical no smoke or stink and good power. I have had little trouble in 1000 hours.
540's are a few years old. As with any marine diesel care and maintainence is the key. If I were buying, I would look for correct propping, over 2600 at wot and a documented maintainence history. I would like to see an impeller change and an after cooler service. I would be less likely to buy a Marina Queen, a boat that has sat around with little use.
Regardless of the HP claims by the factory, the bloodlines of these engines is industrial use. They are going to last the longest if they chug along at low rpm (about 2000). How to tell? Look at the exhaust pipe coming into the turbo. If it looks like black coffee, the former owner has often used all 540 h.p. If it looks like latte, the former owner has had a light hand on the throttle.
They are very sensitive to dirty fuel. I have triple filters on mine--20, 10 and 2 micron. I use a maintainence dose of biocide on every fuel up.

Thanks Cazador!! reply appreciated

Any more opinions on the QSC model in general? Is Cummins a good make??

Mine is brand new 8.3 600hp, like it so far, I am curious about the filter set up, are they all inline, with 2 micron last? I get 3070 at WOT, but am advised that cruise is 2700. (67% load at cruise, 86% at WOT) per control computer dispay.
Also, is there any worth to the magnetic cannister placed inline ahead of the first filter?
There seems to be two camps, filter to hell and back, or polish (with the mentioned device)
Any opinions? Also, which additive? Cetane Boosters?
I'm an outboarder turned Inboard.

Mine is brand new 8.3 600hp, like it so far, I am curious about the filter set up, are they all inline, with 2 micron last? I get 3070 at WOT, but am advised that cruise is 2700. (67% load at cruise, 86% at WOT) per control computer dispay.
Also, is there any worth to the magnetic cannister placed inline ahead of the first filter?
There seems to be two camps, filter to hell and back, or polish (with the mentioned device)
Any opinions? Also, which additive? Cetane Boosters?
I'm an outboarder turned Inboard.

Hi Capt,
How many hours have you put in her? any smoke etc?? noise??

Hey Nabeela, I've got 8 hrs on it, Dealer may have put 20, I'll have to check.
No heavy noise, no smoke at all, very smooth for a deisel compared to most I've heard.

Thats very reassuring...!! Capt ,what boat do you have?

The 600 has a different power curve than the 540, it is rated for 3000 rpm. 67% load at 2700 cruise is a good number, sound like your props are correct.
For a filter setup, Google Seaboard Marnine. Tony Atherns has an article on filtration for common rail Cummins' and sells the kits.
I kept my stock Racor setup and added a bulk 20 micron as a primary.
These are good engines but will bite you if they get a load of dirty fuel.