How to determine number of hours on diesel engine

[swflguy]

We bought an 2006 Elan 434 this spring. The digital hour meter no longer works.
My objective is to install an analog hour meter in the engine compartment and reset the meter to reflect the the number of hours currently on the engine.
Any suggestions as to choosing an hour meter, installation and how to determine the number of hours currently on the engine is appreciated.
The engine is a Volvo-Penta D75 saildrive.
Thank you!

[tomdidit]

This should be interesting! Was there any paperwork with the boat? Logbook, service receipts anything to develop an average yearly hour to work with?

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by swflguy

........
Any suggestions as to choosing an hour meter, installation and how to determine the number of hours currently on the engine is appreciated.
The engine is a Volvo-Penta D75 saildrive.
Thank you!

I personally like this style of an Hobbs meter
https://www.aircraftspruce.eu/hobbs-...eter-85094.htm

But really there is an endless variety of hour meters available and mainly it is a personal choice.

I prefer to wire it so the 12+ve come from the engine ON switch and the 12-ve comes via a oil pressure switch however you may need to confirm if your existing oil pressure switch is suitable (hint - most likely it won't be ). You can add a relay if the existing oil pressure switch isn't suitable rather to hunt down a suitable switch.

However many (most?) don't worry about using the oil pressure switch in the Hobbs meter circuit. The minor downside is the hour meter is ticking over anytime the engine ON switch is on even though the engine might not be running.

[model 10]

If you have no idea of the total time on an engine that runs well, you start with about 1/3 of it's TBO. That could be way off for sure but you need to start somewhere. So if you disregard all the BS about engines lasting 14,000 hrs and go with the average TBO of about 4,000 hrs, you are at about 1300 hrs.

[J.Kitchens]

When I purchased my boat it didn't have an hour meter so I flew in the engine whisperer Volvo keeps on staff in Germany. He placed his hand on the engine block and not even a second after he touched it he jumped back quickly. His face turned white and he told me I needed a new engine immediately. Luckily, Volvo was there for me and I had a brand new engine and gear box installed within a week. I have to say it was worth it; I haven't had an engine problem yet. PM me I'll get you in contact with him.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by J.Kitchens

When I purchased my boat it didn't have an hour meter so I flew in the engine whisperer Volvo keeps on staff in Germany. He placed his hand on the engine block and not even a second after he touched it he jumped back quickly. His face turned white and he told me I needed a new engine immediately. Luckily, Volvo was there for me and I had a brand new engine and gear box installed within a week. I have to say it was worth it; I haven't had an engine problem yet. PM me I'll get you in contact with him.

At least you saved the cost of buying a separate aftermarket hour meter.😅

[Tillsbury]

If you do a search for Volvo hour meter repair, you’ll find various references to dismantling the dial and cleaning the ribbon contacts leading to the lcd display. This can often recover the display, at least long enough for you to read off the value. Apparently, the hours keep recording even though they don’t display. This will allow you to set the new hour meter correctly when you replace it.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

If you do a search for Volvo hour meter repair, you’ll find various references to dismantling the dial and cleaning the ribbon contacts leading to the lcd display. This can often recover the display, at least long enough for you to read off the value. Apparently, the hours keep recording even though they don’t display. This will allow you to set the new hour meter correctly when you replace it.

Now that's VERY useful information!

[Dsanduril]

Is the engine original? At 2006 you're right at the edge of Volvo's MDI installations. If the actual model number ends in 'B' or higher then it should have the MDI. In which case Volvo would be happy to sell you a Bluetooth interface for your engine which would allow you to read the hours even if the display is not working (and maybe even save you the installation of a meter). If the engine is an 'A' or not lettered then it is too old for this option.

If it is of interest check out Volvo EasyConnect (not affiliated in any way, just find that their instruments are a bit lacking and this is a relatively inexpensive way of getting a bit more data from the engines).

[valhalla360]

If you don't know the hours, setting pre-setting the meter to some hour starting point is a fools errand and unlikely to provide any benefit.

Simply put a plaque next to the meter stating: "This meter was installed on XX/XX/XX date. Hours prior to this date are unknown."

This will give a future buyer or mechanic all the information that you have.

[Ostinato]

Sometimes external alternator regulators record their hours which should be very close. An example is the Balmar 612. Let us know how you work it out.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

If you don't know the hours, setting pre-setting the meter to some hour starting point is a fools errand and unlikely to provide any benefit.

Simply put a plaque next to the meter stating: "This meter was installed on XX/XX/XX date. Hours prior to this date are unknown."

This will give a future buyer or mechanic all the information that you have.

Amen.


Just making up some quantity of hours is bad practice; possibly even fraud.

[svHyLyte]

If the boat's records include a fuel log, you can estimate run time by adding up the fuel purchased and dividing that by the engine's average fuel burn. For example, if the total fuel purchased were 100 gallons, and the average fuel consumption for the engine is .75 gal per hour, a good estimate of hours run is 100 ÷ .75 = 133.33 hours. For the sake of conservatism, ad 10% (13.3 hours) and a safe estimate would be ≈147 hours. List that on a plastic plate mounted next to the new hour meter.

FWIW...

[model 10]

Just making up some quantity of hours is bad practice; possibly even fraud.




Actually that is how you recreate lost engine logs for an aircraft engine. as per the FAR's.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Ecos

Just making up some quantity of hours is bad practice; possibly even fraud.


Actually that is how you recreate lost engine logs for an aircraft engine. as per the FAR's.

Care to quote the rule? I'll give you 10-1 there is a base level of history before you can just make things up.