Are KAD 300s an hp too far?

[Guest]

So KAD 44s can drop a valve, and my mechanic says if you want longevity look elsewhere. Distinct feeling of unease. Have spent months talking swmbo into it and am just about there. I like the Sealine F37, but it comes with KAD 300s. She loves it too. I would intend to keep it quite a few years and worse news... if I make 50 hours a year I'll be lucky.

Are all those hours of gentle pursuasion lost? Assuming I bite the bullet and go for it, are the 300s going to fall apart in 7 years? I can hear it now. "Why did you buy a boat with C£$P engines?"

So perhaps I need an insurance policy. Does anyone have experience of these mechanical insurances... you know, keep regularly serviced and for a thick wad of notes they give you some cover? Or are they just like the extended warranty on a car and the majority of things that fall off/knacker or could generally be regarded as being suspect design are put down to wear and tear/not nuff use/too much use/right amount of use but an act of God/war/terrorism.....

John

 

[ChrisP]

Like all equipment that lives on the edge of it's design they will be fine if you follow the inspection and serviceing plans. But like race engines they need to be loved and tended to by realy competant people not the run of the mill back yard mechanic. As Kim found out some of the places that claim to be Volvo approved centres are actually a long way below standard. My advice is to find a realy good service establiment preferably by word of mouth, and stick with them. They at least will get to know your engine and look after it properly. The down side it that it's going to cost you big time.

Good luck

 

[ccscott49]

For Volvos' I would reccomend, M. E. Looe, they are good people who care about you and they're reputation, a small privately owned oufit! Volvo approved. The guys working on your engines are the ones with the qualifications on the wall of the office!

 

[miket]

If this is a new boat, is it not available with non-Volvo engines?

 

[Guest]

Colin where are M E Looe ?

 

[ccscott49]

Its actually marine engineering, looe cornwall, they do however, have a base in torquay and they are mobile, but mainly in the south west, I think, I knew them in Dartmouth and a guy I know well works for them, he is one of the best marine engineers I know and I know a few! Name of Dave Hill, but any of the guys are very good!

 

[Guest]

Re: yes

these are the ones with turbo AND supercharger, yes? And they rev to 3800 rpm. Hardly seems a recipe for reliabilty, more like winner of the loony-power small-block championships for boatbuilders who use a load of heavy chipboard. My car (petrol) engine is 4.3 v8 and also turns out around 280hp. It does seem a bit much to get the same out of a 3.6 diesel.

 

[adarcy]

Re: yes Matts but..

The latest VW turboD gives 150bhp plus 220+ f/lb torque from 1.9lit 4 cylinder and it has a broad powerband, broader than Volvo's marine aimed engine without bothering with a supercharger to fill in the bottom end. It all depends on higher pressure direct injection system as in Merc's cdi and even Renault's dci.
I don't think the KAD or even ? any other marine engine has that level of sophistication yet. Naturally marine environment will be a worry for them but I understand most of the smart new setups have a limp home capability.

I think the figures on the next generation of engines will be interesting. Of course I'm a bit worried about the stresses and wear probs as stated earlier and am tempted to stay w unstressed Cats.

Anthony

 

[petem]

Is this a first boat? If so then buy it because you'll flog it again long before the warranty has expired.

In any case I wouldn't worry about the reliability too much. Surely Volvo would be pretty confident of the reliability? Also things like oil have improved so much over the years which will obviously help.

 

[BarryH]

Re: yes

I can see what your saying matts, but the engine in your car delivers the power in a different way, the one thing no one seems to realise is that the engines will not be running at max revs ALL the time, the main thing for these engines (regarding the valve train failures) is to keep the valve/tappet clearences within the allowed tolerances, and it goes without saying keep the oil clean with plenty of changes. But PLEASE use the correct grade as being turbo,d and supercharged it goes thru hell. Dont use the cheapo stuff either its a false economy.