Details
Weichai 6WH17C900-3 Marine Diesel Engine – 900HP 661kW Marine Propulsion Solution
The Weichai 6WH17C900-3 Marine Diesel Engine is a high-performance medium-speed marine propulsion engine designed for commercial marine applications requiring reliable power output, fuel efficiency, and long service life. As a member of the advanced Weichai WH17 Marine Engine family, this engine delivers 661kW (900HP) at 1350rpm, making it suitable for fishing vessels, coastal cargo ships, ferries, trawlers, workboats, and patrol vessels.
At HekoPower, we supply genuine Weichai 6WH17C900-3 marine engine assemblies, replacement parts, overhaul kits, and technical support services for customers worldwide. Whether you are looking to buy a Weichai 900HP marine diesel engine, replace an aging propulsion system, or source original spare parts, our team can provide professional assistance and global logistics support.
Tech Specs of Weichai 6WH17C900-3
General Engine Data
Engine Model: Weichai 6WH17C900-3
Cylinder Count: 6 Cylinders in Line
Engine Type: Inline, 4-Stroke, Water-Cooled, Direct Injection
Total Engine Displacement: 30.22 L
Bore * Stroke: 170 mm × 222 mm
Dry Weight (Engine Only): 3500 kg
Overall Dimension: 2355 mm × 1210 mm × 1615 mm
Key Performance Data
Rated Power: 661 kW / 900 HP
Rated Speed: 1350 RPM
Idle Speed: 500 RPM
Minimum fuel consumption rate: 190 g/kW.h
Oil consumption rate: ≤0.3 g/kW·h
More Technical Data
Certification: IMO Tier II / China Stage II Inland Marine
Aspiration: turbocharged and aftercooled
Starting system: Electrical
Rotation(facing the flywheel) : Counter-clockwise
Fuel system: HPCR
Power rating: P1
Advanced High-Pressure Common Rail Combustion
Unlike legacy mechanical injection systems that suffer from incomplete fuel atomization at lower operating speeds, the 6WH17C900-3 common rail marine engine relies on an electronically controlled high-pressure common rail (HPCR) loop. The engine control unit (ECU) dynamically manages fuel injection timing, duration, and injection pressure across variable engine loads. This specialized management ensures clean, uniform fuel dispersion inside the combustion chamber, widening the engine's peak economic operation window.
The optimized fuel injection profile works alongside an integrated, newly engineered bleed valve turbocharger and a pulse supercharging network. This balance enables the engine to hit an impressive torque reserve of more than 25%. In practical maritime applications, the engine can achieve 115% of its rated torque at just 50% of its rated calibration speed. This low-speed responsiveness ensures exceptional vessel acceleration, immediate headwind maneuverability, and reliable bollard pull power when running against strong currents.
High-Rigidity Metallurgy and Structural Configuration
To manage intense mechanical stresses, the cylinder block of the Weichai 6-cylinder marine diesel engine is cast entirely from premium vermicular graphite iron. This metallurgy offers superior fatigue resistance and tensile strength compared to conventional gray cast iron while reducing overall weight. The cylinder head layout features a 4-valve configuration per cylinder, maximizing volumetric air flow and scavenging efficiency. The air intake channels utilize a proprietary tangential intake port matched with an eccentric chamfer design, creating an optimal fuel-air swirl ratio that promotes complete combustion.
To ensure long-term mechanical reliability, the internal power train uses a hardened steel crankshaft and premium wet cylinder liners. This structure is combined with an advanced oil-control configuration consisting of a three-piston-ring layout paired with a specialized scraping carbon ring. This unique combination ensures clean cylinder walls, preventing combustion carbon deposits from migrating into the crankcase. Consequently, it achieves an exceptionally low Weichai 6WH17C900-3 fuel consumption rate of down to 185g/kW·h, while lowering lube oil consumption to less than 0.3g/kW·h.
Technical Comparisons: 6WH17C900-3 vs. Companion Profiles
When sourcing from a commercial Weichai marine engine assembly supplier, understanding the subtle variations in operating profiles across the product family is essential for maximizing hull efficiency and machinery lifespans.
Architectural Differentiation and Selection Logic
While both the 6WH17C900-3 and the 6WH17C900-5 models deliver an equivalent 900 horsepower, their differing calibration speeds create distinct operating behaviors. The 1350 rpm speed of the -3 variant yields a lower mean piston speed 9.99 m/s compared to the 11.10 m/s speed of the 1500 rpm -5 variant. This lower speed limits frictional losses, keeps operating temperatures cooler, and lowers mechanical wear across internal components.
For heavy displacement commercial vessels, choosing the Weichai 1350 rpm propulsion engine over high-speed variants extends component life and shortens downtime. Conversely, the 1000 horsepower variant (6WH17C1000-5) increases power output through higher fuel injection volume and increased turbocharger boost. This model is well-suited for high-demand workboats, though it experiences greater peak thermal loads than the -3 model.
Real-World Application Scenarios
The unique torque curve and robust construction of the Weichai IMO II Marine Engine make it an ideal power solution for diverse commercial maritime environments. As an international Weichai marine engine distributor, HekoPower supplies this engine series to power several critical vessel classes.
Heavy-Duty Marine Propulsion for Cargo Vessels & Bulk Carriers
For heavy displacement hulls operating along coastal lines and inland waterways, consistent propulsion torque is essential. This heavy duty marine engine for bulk carriers 900hp easily handles long journeys under full load. Its high torque at lower engine speeds allows captain blocks to maintain steady hull velocity even when fighting river currents or hauling massive trailing barges. The engine's wide economic operation window ensures that fleet managers can lower overall fuel expenditures during prolonged transit routes.
Marine Propulsion Engine for Trawlers & Ocean-Going Fishing Boats
Deep-sea fishing vessels demand reliable power that can handle varying operational roles. This marine engine for fishing boats switches seamlessly between high-speed transit out to open waters and low-speed, high-load towing when pulling heavy nets. Its water-jacketed exhaust manifold and insulated tailpipes effectively lower engine room temperatures, improving onboard safety during extended fishing expeditions far from port.
Marine Engine for Passenger Ferries & Coastal Transport
For passenger transport operators, maintaining strict timetables and ensuring passenger comfort are vital. The marine engine for passenger ferry deployments capitalizes on the electronic common rail infrastructure to reduce combustion knock, vibration, and noise, ensuring a smoother ride. Additionally, its compliance with China Stage II and Weichai IMO II certified marine engine global standards makes it ideal for operating near strictly monitored ports and coastal conservation areas.
Maintenance, Replacement, and Spare Parts Support
To maximize the service life of your Weichai 6WH17 Series Engine and achieve its targeted 20,000-hour major overhaul lifecycle, operators must follow a strict, preventative maintenance schedule. As a dedicated Weichai marine engine spare parts supplier, HekoPower stocks a full line of Weichai OEM marine engine components, ensuring your fleet stays operational.
Mandatory Preventative Maintenance Intervals
- Every 250 Hours: Change the engine lubrication oil and replace the switchable oil filters. Check the tension on all accessory drive belts and inspect the air filter restriction indicator.
- Every 1,000 Hours: Flush and replace primary and secondary fuel filters using genuine Weichai marine engine spare parts. Inspect the sacrificial zinc anodes inside the cast-aluminum seawater heat exchanger to prevent galvanic corrosion. Inspect and test fuel injectors for proper atomization.
- Every 5,000 Hours: Calibrate valve clearances on the 4-valve cylinder heads. Check the operation of the turbocharger bleed valve mechanism. Inspect the high-pressure fuel line connections and leak monitoring lines.
- Every 10,000 Hours: Perform a top-end service using a certified Weichai marine engine repair kit. Replace cylinder head gaskets, inspect valve guides, and change out flexible coolant hoses and the gear-driven seawater pump impeller.
- 20,000 Hours (Major Overhaul Interval): Complete a structural rebuild using genuine Weichai 6WH17 overhaul parts. Replace the wet cylinder liners, main bearing shells, connecting rod bearings, and the three-piston-ring assembly to restore original compression ratios.
Critical Spare Parts Management for Fleet Operators
To protect against unexpected downtime during offshore operations, vessel managers should keep an inventory of critical parts on board. HekoPower provides comprehensive parts support, offering individual components as well as complete maintenance kits.
Weichai 6WH17 series marine diesel engine, original products from Weichai. This series mainly includes 6WH17C650-1, 6WH17C680-2, 6WH17C700-1, 6WH17C718-2, 6WH17C750-2, 6WH17C850-2, 6WH17C900-3, 6WH17C900-5, 6WH17C1000-5, 6WH17C1100-5.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the exact dimensions and weight of the Weichai 6WH17C900-3?
The physical envelope of the engine measures 2355 mm in length, 1220 mm in width, and 1615 mm in height, with a net dry weight of 3500 kg. This compact design allows it to fit easily into standard engine rooms on medium-sized commercial vessels and fishing trawlers.
Does this engine comply with international marine emissions standards?
Yes, the 6WH17C900-3 is fully certified under IMO Tier II and China Stage II marine environmental regulations. Its precise common rail injection control reduces nitrous oxide emissions, allowing it to operate globally in international waters and regulated coastal zones.
Where can I buy genuine Weichai 6WH17C900-3 engines and components?
HekoPower is a specialized global Weichai 900hp marine diesel engine supplier and genuine Weichai marine engine exporter. We supply complete factory-tested marine engine assemblies along with genuine spare parts, complete with major classification society certifications (such as CCS and BV).
What makes the FEV-designed WH17 series different from older Weichai models like the X6170?
The WH17 series features modern engineering improvements over older mechanical pump engines like the X6170 series. Key upgrades include a vermicular graphite iron block that handles higher combustion pressures, an electronically controlled high-pressure common rail system, a 4-valve cylinder head design, and an extended 20,000-hour overhaul interval. These features combine to improve fuel efficiency and performance across the entire RPM range.
How does the stormy wave mode protect the vessel in rough seas?
The engine's original ECU features a specialized "stormy wave mode" program. When activated in severe weather conditions, the ECU overrides minor, non-critical sensor faults and alters fuel governing parameters. This prevents safety shut-downs during heavy seas, keeping the propulsion line online when the vessel needs it most.
