penpal
Well-Known Member
I am considering two Corvettes, one is 1993 and has 600 hours on the clock the other is 1994 and has 800 hours. I am not sure what is considered to be a lot of mileage on volvo engines. Any advise would be appreciated.
800 hours-is that a lot?
- Thread starter penpal
- Start date
hlb
RIP
Mine had done 600 hours when I bought it, and 1700 hours now. Hope that helps.
Bandit
Well-Known Member
In this situation maintenance proper regular servicing and TLC is more important than hours run.
The biggest enemy of an engine of this age is underuse, corrosion and irregular servicing.
What ever you do get a professional survey and an engineer from a franchised dealer to go through the engines and not an engineer who has looked after the boathimself who has a vested interest the size of a cliff. Ask for invoices demonstrating the service history and look for gaps.
The biggest enemy of an engine of this age is underuse, corrosion and irregular servicing.
What ever you do get a professional survey and an engineer from a franchised dealer to go through the engines and not an engineer who has looked after the boathimself who has a vested interest the size of a cliff. Ask for invoices demonstrating the service history and look for gaps.
db631018
Well-Known Member
Hi
I think boats are better being used than sitting around doing nothing so for me hours are not an issue as long as the servicing has been done.
If the service records are ok get a good engineer to check things out, you cant do much more.
I would look at the service history
I think boats are better being used than sitting around doing nothing so for me hours are not an issue as long as the servicing has been done.
If the service records are ok get a good engineer to check things out, you cant do much more.
I would look at the service history
Piers
Well-Known Member
Get an oil analysis on both. If anything's amiss with the engines, it'll show up. Then get a good engineer to pass judgement.
nonitoo
Well-Known Member
Can I ask just how important it is to have servicing done by an engine agent ?
As my engine is still under warranty I have had the outdrive and engine serviced by the local agent and I specifically requested that I be there.
Watching the basic service it was quite apparent that I was perfectly capable of doing the work myself.
Outdrive 1.Anodes 2.oil change 3.Check bellows. 4.Grease nipples.
Engine 1.Anodes 2.Oil/filter change 3.Replace fuel filters 4.Replace impeller 5.Grease and lubricate as per service manual.
Would a prospective buyer not accept receipts for the purchase of these items and information in the maintenance book of work done ?
looking at the prices I have been charged for materials (more than I could have purchased from online sources) and the labour costs (certainly fair compared to car agencies) , I could easily half my maintenance costs and it would be interesting to do the work as I have the full manual for the engine.
Of course I exclude major work from this scenario, I am only referring to routine maintenance.
What are your thoughts............
Tom
As my engine is still under warranty I have had the outdrive and engine serviced by the local agent and I specifically requested that I be there.
Watching the basic service it was quite apparent that I was perfectly capable of doing the work myself.
Outdrive 1.Anodes 2.oil change 3.Check bellows. 4.Grease nipples.
Engine 1.Anodes 2.Oil/filter change 3.Replace fuel filters 4.Replace impeller 5.Grease and lubricate as per service manual.
Would a prospective buyer not accept receipts for the purchase of these items and information in the maintenance book of work done ?
looking at the prices I have been charged for materials (more than I could have purchased from online sources) and the labour costs (certainly fair compared to car agencies) , I could easily half my maintenance costs and it would be interesting to do the work as I have the full manual for the engine.
Of course I exclude major work from this scenario, I am only referring to routine maintenance.
What are your thoughts............
Tom
Whitelighter
Well-Known Member
would you think a 10 year old car with 32000 miles on the clock was a lot? No?, well that would have done 800 hours at an average 40mph
Piers
Well-Known Member
Hi Tom. Good qn. I wanted to do my own servicing but was concerned that a future buyer may be wary of me not being an authorised service agent.
Therefore, I undertook the 2 day technicians course on the Cummins engines which allowed me to service the engines even during the warranty period. It was great fun, especially since I was the only one on the course!
With that qualification and a full and detailed service history includung parts used etc, I believe the servicing is arguably better than having had a agent do it. What I mean here is that when I say, for example, oil filters, fuel filter and so on were changed, I know they were. When tappets (valve lash as the Americans call it) are checked, they really are checked, and so on.
So, not only do I save money, but I believe the vessel is better maintained.
But do get an engine oil analysis. It will show whether any particular parts are becoming problematic, and can even show if bore glazing is present. Perfick, as they say.
Therefore, I undertook the 2 day technicians course on the Cummins engines which allowed me to service the engines even during the warranty period. It was great fun, especially since I was the only one on the course!
With that qualification and a full and detailed service history includung parts used etc, I believe the servicing is arguably better than having had a agent do it. What I mean here is that when I say, for example, oil filters, fuel filter and so on were changed, I know they were. When tappets (valve lash as the Americans call it) are checked, they really are checked, and so on.
So, not only do I save money, but I believe the vessel is better maintained.
But do get an engine oil analysis. It will show whether any particular parts are becoming problematic, and can even show if bore glazing is present. Perfick, as they say.
bobgoode
Well-Known Member
8oo hours...pah...I've got 500 hours on my volvo and it's a yacht which spends most of it's time under sail.
nonitoo
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that Piers, taking the Cummins course would be interesting and productive. Hadn't thought of that.
I'll do it before next winter.
Tom
I'll do it before next winter.
Tom
blueglass
Well-Known Member
With both those boats I would be more concerned that the hours are too low, not high. The 2003 one has averaged 42 hours a year which to me is pretty much underused.
pheran
Well-Known Member
I regularly put well in excess of 200 hours a years on my engines. Just changed boats and the 'new' one has done 848 hours since 2002. I thought that was low!!. But engine passed every test.
thefatlady
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Can I ask just how important it is to have servicing done by an engine agent ?
Would a prospective buyer not accept receipts for the purchase of these items and information in the maintenance book of work done ?
[/ QUOTE ] I have always done my own work, both routine maintenance and some larger jobs. I have presented receipts to prospective buyers to demonstrate work done and had no problems. I have also been present at buyer's surveys and left the surveyor happy that I knew what I was doing. In fact, with the last boat I sold, the buyer said that the surveyor told him it was the best one he had seen in a long time.
It is usually apparent when an engine has been looked after and I don't trust agents to do that to my standards.
Can I ask just how important it is to have servicing done by an engine agent ?
Would a prospective buyer not accept receipts for the purchase of these items and information in the maintenance book of work done ?
[/ QUOTE ] I have always done my own work, both routine maintenance and some larger jobs. I have presented receipts to prospective buyers to demonstrate work done and had no problems. I have also been present at buyer's surveys and left the surveyor happy that I knew what I was doing. In fact, with the last boat I sold, the buyer said that the surveyor told him it was the best one he had seen in a long time.
It is usually apparent when an engine has been looked after and I don't trust agents to do that to my standards.
JOHNOO
Well-Known Member
I understand there is a fishing boat in Weymouth that has done 11000 Hrs!!!!!
Bandit
Well-Known Member
It is probable that if the servicing is not undertaken by an authorised dealer during the warranty period that the warranty is voided.
If you were buying a second hand car and the owner who was not a car mechanic had serviced it himself and there was an identical car that had been main dealer maintained which would you buy?
The magic words in a car advert "full service history" mean a lot.
The advantage of using a main dealer is that they work on probably hundreds of the same engine and know what to look for and have the experience of that engine.
I looked at a secondhand 45ft boat last year that had been maintained by the owners brother, I declined it and it was bought by a scandinavian chap on departure from CI's it nearly sank because the colling water hose from the engine to the gearbox split as it was perished also the filters on the outside of the engines that were difficult to get to had not been changed since new.
The problem is that "service" appears to mean a lot of different things to different people and some people will cut corners when thay do it for themselves.
If you were buying a second hand car and the owner who was not a car mechanic had serviced it himself and there was an identical car that had been main dealer maintained which would you buy?
The magic words in a car advert "full service history" mean a lot.
The advantage of using a main dealer is that they work on probably hundreds of the same engine and know what to look for and have the experience of that engine.
I looked at a secondhand 45ft boat last year that had been maintained by the owners brother, I declined it and it was bought by a scandinavian chap on departure from CI's it nearly sank because the colling water hose from the engine to the gearbox split as it was perished also the filters on the outside of the engines that were difficult to get to had not been changed since new.
The problem is that "service" appears to mean a lot of different things to different people and some people will cut corners when thay do it for themselves.
thefatlady
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
If you were buying a second hand car and the owner who was not a car mechanic had serviced it himself and there was an identical car that had been main dealer maintained which would you buy?
[/ QUOTE ] Been there, done that, some years ago with a 4.2 XJ6, which had a reputation for being poorly serviced. Having spent the day looking at lots in dealers with FSH and feeling very disappointed, the last one looked beautiful. When I asked about service history, there was none. Then the son rolled up on a big bike and the owner showed me photos of him and his son racing Jags over the years. They were not "car mechanics" (actually senior "white collar"), but the car was in superb condition throughout. He wouldn't budge on price because he knew what he had and didn't really care if he didn't sell it. I bought it and it was the best car I have ever had. I kept it for quite a few years until SWMBO wrote it off.
You're confidence in the motor trade is touching. I've had work done by car/boat "mechanics" and been appalled. My philosophy is to assess the vehicle/boat, and regard the pieces of paper as a not-very-reliable back-up. It hasn't let me or my buyers down yet.
[ QUOTE ]
The problem is that "service" appears to mean a lot of different things to different people and some people will cut corners when thay do it for themselves.
[/ QUOTE ] The same applies to the trade (except that they still charge for it!) and they don't have the time do to the extra things that a conciencious owner will do.
If you were buying a second hand car and the owner who was not a car mechanic had serviced it himself and there was an identical car that had been main dealer maintained which would you buy?
[/ QUOTE ] Been there, done that, some years ago with a 4.2 XJ6, which had a reputation for being poorly serviced. Having spent the day looking at lots in dealers with FSH and feeling very disappointed, the last one looked beautiful. When I asked about service history, there was none. Then the son rolled up on a big bike and the owner showed me photos of him and his son racing Jags over the years. They were not "car mechanics" (actually senior "white collar"), but the car was in superb condition throughout. He wouldn't budge on price because he knew what he had and didn't really care if he didn't sell it. I bought it and it was the best car I have ever had. I kept it for quite a few years until SWMBO wrote it off.
You're confidence in the motor trade is touching. I've had work done by car/boat "mechanics" and been appalled. My philosophy is to assess the vehicle/boat, and regard the pieces of paper as a not-very-reliable back-up. It hasn't let me or my buyers down yet.
[ QUOTE ]
The problem is that "service" appears to mean a lot of different things to different people and some people will cut corners when thay do it for themselves.
[/ QUOTE ] The same applies to the trade (except that they still charge for it!) and they don't have the time do to the extra things that a conciencious owner will do.
tony345
Well-Known Member
Someone once told me to think of 100 marine hours as 10,000 miles - This perhaps slighlty overstates the mileage I think.
Most marine boat engines are adapatations of car or truck engines - and at 3 litre plus will have been designed to do hundreds of thousands of miles.
The issue is more around maintenance and how well the engine has been looked after. My recent experiences with 'dealers' have confirmed my view that for most jobs, you're better off learning how to do it yourself. At least that way you know the job has been done properly and you'll save a fortune.
This is particuarly true of routine servicing on my petrol engine - plugs, points, belts oil, filters, impeller, coolant and tappets are all within the range of the home mechanic. The job takes an afternoon and I save £400 plus vat which was the labour element of my last quote from the local boatyard.
Most marine boat engines are adapatations of car or truck engines - and at 3 litre plus will have been designed to do hundreds of thousands of miles.
The issue is more around maintenance and how well the engine has been looked after. My recent experiences with 'dealers' have confirmed my view that for most jobs, you're better off learning how to do it yourself. At least that way you know the job has been done properly and you'll save a fortune.
This is particuarly true of routine servicing on my petrol engine - plugs, points, belts oil, filters, impeller, coolant and tappets are all within the range of the home mechanic. The job takes an afternoon and I save £400 plus vat which was the labour element of my last quote from the local boatyard.
nonitoo
Well-Known Member
Hi Piers, thanks for that.
Tom
Tom
