Volvo Diesels

[silverp40]

Hello

Not sure how to contact you off forum, perhaps you could help.

We have a D255 that I would like to ask one question if you will as well as why Volvos are the Green Grief....

Thanks

[Brent Swain]

Aussies call them the "Green Death" The above mentioned problems are typical of volvos. I have never met any Volvo owner who hasn't found them a constant source of failures.
My brother, a high performance auto mechanic, shuddered when his wife insisted on owning Volvo. He, likewise, found it an abortion in constant need of repair, until they sold it.
The SSCA, years ago, had a survey of it's members equipment , and Volvos were roundly condemned by all. One aircraft flight mechanic said his new Volvo needed constant repair, and replacement of parts, until he dumped it.
Another friend, after years of struggling to keep his Volvo running, replaced it with a Yanmar. As , given their reputation , he couldn't get anything for the Volvo, everyone who had one needed parts. So he advertised it for parts, and got $1500 for the parts.
You will soon need the following bumper sticker.
"Any parts found falling off my Volvo, are of the finest Swedish craftsmanship. "

[sded]

I have had a Volvo 2003t for over 23 years, have been very pleased with it after 4000+ hours, and would happily buy another one. But it is currently running great. Almost no problems; even though parts are expensive I haven't used many. Now you have met one. Add it to your anecdotes.

[Sandero]

Mine MD17D is going on 26 and has over 4000 hrs. Only one major repair - broken valve spring, one replace fresh water pump.

Over the years I have re done the injectors, replaced hoses and belts, impellors, upgraded the alternator and recently replaced an o ring in the injector pump.

All the routine maintenance plus the valve job etc. probably cost $10,000 over 25 yrs or $400/ yr or less.

[Brent Swain]

That's two , in almost 40 years of messing around in boats. Not much of a reccomendation for any diesel. My Isuzu ,since 1996 has only had her oil changed, and a starter motor repaired, less than $50 a year in repairs.

[colemj]

Please to meet you Brent - we have two Volvo-Penta MD2030's with no problems after 12 years and 2500hrs.

I realize you strove hard to make your point, but I fail to see how experiences with Volvo automobile and Volvo aircraft engines have any relationship to experiences with Volvo marine engines.

Volvo marine engines are designed and manufactured in Japan by the Ishikawajima Shibaura Machinery Company and sold to Perkins, who then resell it to Volvo-Penta. Perhaps you also know as many people with modern Perkin engines with similar problems?

Or perhaps you meant to describe a specific Volvo engine (some were bad designs), and not dismiss all with such a broad brush?

Volvo Automobile, Volvo Aero and Volvo-Penta are separate and independently run subsidiaries of the parent company. Perhaps you did not know that.

Glad I could help. I wouldn't want you to be seen by the readership here as a reactionary person prone to disjointed hyperbole containing few actual facts.

Mark

edit: in the above, I am speaking solely about Volvo's small diesel engines, and not their large commercial diesel or gas engines.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by colemj

... Volvo marine engines are designed and manufactured in Japan by the Ishikawajima Shibaura Machinery Company and sold to Perkins, who then resell it to Volvo-Penta. Perhaps you also know as many people with modern Perkin engines with similar problems? ...

The name of Ishikawajima-Shibaura Machinery Co., Ltd. changed to 'IHI Shibaura Machinery Corporation' in 2007.

See also ➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...rts-42152.html

And ➥ engine derivations

[silverp40]

We have had ours since 2003 with really no problems. The block is a Perkins.

Lately, the diesel tends to run rough at the lowest idle upon startup. However, after a few minutes of warming up at over 700-800 rpms, the issue goes away. (I am thinking it could be no enough fuel to the injectors)

Anyone familiar with this issue that can clarify the matter would be greatly appreciated....

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by silverp40

We have had ours since 2003 with really no problems. The block is a Perkins...

Hmm, sorry but for once its not. The 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2003 Turbo range were actually produced by Volvo themselves rather than bought in and marinised.

In there day not bad engines and whilst the latest diesels with glow plugs and larger alternators are an improvement, if you own an older 2003 which is working fine, there is little to gain from changing it. A bit of TLC and regular oil changes will hopefully keep our 21 year old going for many more years.

Pete

[silverp40]

Hello Pete

Here is a shot of the Perkins nameplate. You can just barely make out "Perkins built in England" ( not Japan). Also I do not plan to change the diesel out..

[Pete7]

Where about is the name plate? been all over ours and haven't seen that.

Pete

[silverp40]

Hello Pete

It is under the air intake muffler, right above the flywheel case facing upwards...

[roverhi]

Had an MD2 in our Westsail. Faithful servant for more than 10 years. Really liked the hand crank start ability. The Dynamotor broke a mounting bolt in the block and fell off. Hand cranked that bugger for most of the 10 years we owned it. The second owners of the boat finally replaced the motor after another 10 years. Never found out whether it was for more power, they installed a 50 horse, or some problem with the engine.

I'd buy another MD2 if they were still available. It was a strong, relatively low rpm, fuel sipping, engine. The hand crank let me sleep well at night knowing that I'd always be able to get it started.

[silverp40]

Hey roverhi

Check out this link.

1980 Pearson P 40 sailboat for sale in Texas

Cheers

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Hmm, sorry but for once its not. The 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2003 Turbo range were actually produced by Volvo themselves rather than bought in and marinised.

In there day not bad engines and whilst the latest diesels with glow plugs and larger alternators are an improvement, if you own an older 2003 which is working fine, there is little to gain from changing it. A bit of TLC and regular oil changes will hopefully keep our 21 year old going for many more years.

Pete

I think his meaning was that he has owned his engine since 2003, not that it was a 2003 series engine.

Mark