View Full Version : 8.1L Issues?
Hope someone can help me here. Looking at buying a 2008 X-45 with the 8.1L engine. The boat I found has 190 hrs on it and compression test, etc is all normal. A few folks have told me that the 8.1L has been discontinued and they DO NOT recommend the engine due to the problems it's had. Can anyone shed light on if there are concerns or things to watch out for?
etnovass
08-28-2010, 02:01 PM
i have the 8.1 in my x-45. i like it. it has more power than need. i feel the boat with about 3500lb of ballast and 6 people i have no problem moving it. the fuel usage is not the best. it stalls on me some times when i go from forward to reverse to netrual fast but it always starts again other than that. it is great. they burn more oil than the 6.0 or 5.7
Sodar
08-28-2010, 02:15 PM
There were issues with the 8.1l very early on, but those have been rectified with an ECU reflash. Search on here for more on the topic.
Several here swear by the 8.1l and have experience no oil burn. The 8.1L is a great engine for the X-45.
TallRedRider
08-28-2010, 05:30 PM
i have the 8.1 in my x-45. i like it. it has more power than need. i feel the boat with about 3500lb of ballast and 6 people i have no problem moving it. the fuel usage is not the best. it stalls on me some times when i go from forward to reverse to netrual fast but it always starts again other than that. it is great. they burn more oil than the 6.0 or 5.7
I thought I was loading my 45 pretty heavy with 2K ballast plus people for wakeboarding, wow!. No wonder you go through a lot of fuel. I am pretty pleased with the fuel consumption on my boat. About 10-12 gallons per engine hour while wakeboarding. I actually may even get better than that when tubing unballasted.
I have never experienced the stalling issue, but am very careful about not going from forward to reverse quickly.
A post 2007 8.1 is an incredible engine and I would not hesitate to pull the trigger. I had mine for sale a few weeks ago, and it was amazing to see how many other boats for sale had new 8.1 L engines in them. Mine was replaced in December 2008. So there were lots of problems earlier, but I have not heard of any replacements since early 2007.
Thanks for the feedback. I pulled the trigger today so I'll let you know if there are any issues - I don't expect there will be. I better be ready for the visits to the gas station!
BGcraft
08-28-2010, 09:46 PM
Drive it like you stole it!
Grats!!
Enjoy!!
BG
etnovass
08-28-2010, 11:00 PM
man i feel like i have a bad motor now. i use all the weight for surfing (huge wake). i only wakeboard with about 2500lb, the stall is from stoping the boat like not hiting the dock. to kept the boat from jerking the rope from the boarder. it is never put in reverse from under power. the dealer said that it was common with the 8.1. mine has 123hrs on it the no oil burn yet but i was told to expect it after awhile. it is a 2007 should i get it reflashed. im worried about the stalling now.
etnovass
08-28-2010, 11:00 PM
sorry didnt mean to post jack
prostar205
08-29-2010, 12:48 AM
I have an early 8.1L (July 2001) and it runs flawlessly - no oil burn, no stalling. I have 430 trouble free hours on it and I would not have anything else in an X-45. My 8.1L is in an X-30.
sand2snow22
08-29-2010, 01:05 AM
Taking a 8.1 for a test drive tomorrow. What should I look for? Any way to look for oil burn without at compression test?
PaulW
08-29-2010, 11:21 AM
I have an early 8.1L (July 2001) and it runs flawlessly - no oil burn, no stalling. I have 430 trouble free hours on it and I would not have anything else in an X-45. My 8.1L is in an X-30.
WOW that is a lot of motor in that boat. I had an 01 with the 330 ltr and was happy. It must be a rocket ship to 50 mph.
Ole Miss Rebels
08-29-2010, 02:14 PM
Taking a 8.1 for a test drive tomorrow. What should I look for? Any way to look for oil burn without at compression test?
ABSOLUTELYdo not buy any used engine without a compression test. it is easy to do. take a mechanic with you and pay him $100 for his time but run a compression test. end of discussion. (that is not me being a know it all. i am very un-knowledgeable regarding mechanical issues but all of my mechanically minded friends have told me that PLUS, when i traded for my new xsttar two years ago the dealership i ordere the new xstar from trusted me on my description of my trade-in but he required a compression test before he would take my boat on trade). that tole me all i needed to know about how improtant they are. a $100K boat deal and all the dealer cared about personally checking was the compression on the engine of the boat he was trading for.
scott023
08-29-2010, 02:55 PM
There were issues with the 8.1l very early on, but those have been rectified with an ECU reflash. Search on here for more on the topic.
Several here swear by the 8.1l and have experience no oil burn. The 8.1L is a great engine for the X-45.
I have the 8.1 in our 45... no issues at all with it. Fuel economy has been better than I expected as well. More that enough power for the 45 as well... if the price is right, buy it up.