Opti blew-up

[FreeTrader]

So, feeling very big after yesterday, went to Carteret today in F5-6. Great blast, but engine cut out mysteriously a couple of times. Restarted fine though.

On way back blasting along at 40 knots, suddenly, engine starts running really badly only going to 2000 rpm, like a few cylinders aren't firing. 2 mins later, there was a loud bang, and then fire started coming out of the cowling.

Quick blast with fire extinguisher, anchor down, and then a half hour wait for a mate to tow us home. No real drama, but until I get the engineers to take a look, I'm not sure what to think.

Any guesses? My best guess, is that one bank of the V6 stopped getting oil, and then threw a piston.

Bit gutted really as re-engining the boat after 2 weeks use makes this the most expensive trip to Carteret I've done!

[Rogue Wave]

Did you come down hard from the air just before the engine went to 2000 revs

[FreeTrader]

No, that was the confusing thing. Engine cutouts on the way out were after hard landings, but on the way back it was pretty smooth.

[Rogue Wave]

the opti compresser didn't used to like hard landings. I woinder if it failed. ? Did you overheat the engine....did you have no warnings from the system. i.e was the 2000 limit then engine going into Guardian mode?

[Andy Moore]

Is the engine still under warranty?

[Rogue Wave]

i hope so!

[BogMonster]

Bad luck. I guess I am not the only one who has had a &&&& weekend with their boat

[FreeTrader]

No warnings at all. Temp running at 113, oil pressure etc all looked normal.

Engine is 4 years old, so I'm goosed.

[Richard B]

That's terrible news, really sorry to hear that.

It's also possible that a cooling fault caused the prob, although if the temperature was showing normal, that would seem to eliminate that. Is 113 normal for an Opti? I assume that's engine block temperature, not coolant temperature?

Was the tell-tale strong before the failure (ie. really jetting out into the sea, not just a limp dribble)? How many hours on the engine?

[FreeTrader]

Checked tell tale on departure, and good stream. 436 hours on engine. Plus, when I bought the boat I had the local Mercury specialist check it all out, and he gave the engine the thumbs up - average rpm 4200 - a well run, well-serviced engine.

Sh*t happens!