Maxum 1800mx what to look for

[m2bl3]

Hi al, new here and looking for a Maxum 1800mx (UK Based) I'm going to be spending around £5000-10000 on a boat and just wondered what to look out for when buying second hand.

I already own a Fletcher speedboat with outboard but obviously the Maxum with inboard will be quite different.

Any suggestions could be very helpful.

Mark (UK)

[mmwjr]

What to look for is general for boats, soft spots in the floor and overall condition. Regarding the power check for signs of water in the gear lube and engine oil. Metal filings on the I/O drain plug magnet. Overall engine health, take her for a test ride and put it through the paces.

[biggerseagar]

What Mike said plus take a marine mechanic with you when you find a boat. The seller should be telling you all about how and when it was serviced. Just the outward appearance should tell you how the boat was taken care of. Good luck.

Roger

[m2bl3]

Thank you so far, although I have a boat it's an outboard and as I'm now moving to inboard things start to change.

Do all 1800mx 3litre engines beep when the key is first turned? Just before starting the engine?

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by m2bl3

Thank you so far, although I have a boat it's an outboard and as I'm now moving to inboard things start to change.

Do all 1800mx 3litre engines beep when the key is first turned? Just before starting the engine?

Yes, it's to test the alarm function. The reason this happens is the alarm monitors three things, coolant temp, oil pressure, and gear lube level. When starting there is no oil pressure so that switch is closed until the engine starts and this is what sounds the alarm.

[m2bl3]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Yes, it's to test the alarm function. The reason this happens is the alarm monitors three things, coolant temp, oil pressure, and gear lube level. When starting there is no oil pressure so that switch is closed until the engine starts and this is what sounds the alarm.

OK I recently viewed a 2004 boat with mercruiser 3lt engine and when the key was turned to start the engine it turned over but there was no sound from the alarm. Could this indicate a possible problem?

When the engine was running the oil pressure gauge did not register any pressure. It did take quite a few turns of the key to start the engine and because of the above I left it. So do all mercruiser engines have the beep sound at startup?

Cheers

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by m2bl3

OK I recently viewed a 2004 boat with mercruiser 3lt engine and when the key was turned to start the engine it turned over but there was no sound from the alarm. Could this indicate a possible problem?

When the engine was running the oil pressure gauge did not register any pressure. It did take quite a few turns of the key to start the engine and because of the above I left it. So do all mercruiser engines have the beep sound at startup?

Cheers

I'm not sure they all beep at start up. Some folks say theirs does other say no then again some say it only does some times. The oil gauge uses a sendor that is separate from the alarm oil pressure switch sendor. If an engine had no oil pressure it would be making a rattle or knocking noise and would not run for long.

[m2bl3]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

I'm not sure they all beep at start up. Some folks say theirs does other say no then again some say it only does some times. The oil gauge uses a sendor that is separate from the alarm oil pressure switch sendor. If an engine had no oil pressure it would be making a rattle or knocking noise and would not run for long.

Cheers Mike, No oil pressure = rattle after a short time. Maybe the oil pressure gauge was not working then.

I will be looking at more boats till I find one I like so this information will definitely help if I come across this again.

Maybe the boat was better than I thought.

[mmwjr]

Good luck

[shrew]

Make sure the alarm wasn't disconnected to hide a problem.

[m2bl3]

Originally Posted by shrew

Make sure the alarm wasn't disconnected to hide a problem.

That thought had also passed my mind.

Anyone know where the connection (wire colour) might be located?

It's all helpful to know and helps build a picture of things to watch out for.

Thank you

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by m2bl3

That thought had also passed my mind.

Anyone know where the connection (wire colour) might be located?

It's all helpful to know and helps build a picture of things to watch out for.

Thank you

Wiring diagram is in the engine manual which can be found under Documents of this site.

[shrew]

The alarm itself should be underneath the helm. That is commonly where it is disconnected. You could also jump 12v to it to see if the alarm module itself is actually working.

[m2bl3]

Cheers and than you again, I am learning all the time.