Engine Inspection

[kevinfromspain]

I own a Sessa 34 which is based in Mallorca and I've had since new (2003) The boat has two Volvo Penta KAD43 Z Drive engines which have been serviced every year in accordance with the Volvo Schedule and the books stamped.

The Engines have done just under 500 hours each and never missed a beat in the last 8 years.

I am being told that both engines require a 'full inspection' and they must remove both engines and take them apart to replace many parts.

The cost is around 7,000 Euros

Do I need this work done?

 

[VicS]

I own a Sessa 34 which is based in Mallorca and I've had since new (2003) The boat has two Volvo Penta KAD43 Z Drive engines which have been serviced every year in accordance with the Volvo Schedule and the books stamped.

The Engines have done just under 500 hours each and never missed a beat in the last 8 years.

I am being told that both engines require a 'full inspection' and they must remove both engines and take them apart to replace many parts.

The cost is around 7,000 Euros

Do I need this work done?

Without inspecting the engines it would be difficult to tell. I assume these are marinised vehicle engines. If so 500 hours is next to nothing. You'd expect several thousand hours without requiring a major overhaul.

 

[DownWest]

Is this from Volvo's hand book or some local outfit looking for a nice job?

 

[rotrax]

I own a Sessa 34 which is based in Mallorca and I've had since new (2003) The boat has two Volvo Penta KAD43 Z Drive engines which have been serviced every year in accordance with the Volvo Schedule and the books stamped.

The Engines have done just under 500 hours each and never missed a beat in the last 8 years.

I am being told that both engines require a 'full inspection' and they must remove both engines and take them apart to replace many parts.

The cost is around 7,000 Euros

Do I need this work done?

If it aint broke dont fix it! If the engines start well, perform to your satisfaction without heavy oil consumption,unusual noise or any oil or water leakage it is unlikely that they require attention.It is possibly a scam,but if you know the dealer who is suggesting this you may have a better insight. If it were your car would you have this work carried out on the say so of a repair shop who obviously has a financial interest in doing work of this nature. You could check with Volvo and enquire if the work suggested is required at the time/hours your engines have done. Personaly, I smell a rat!

 

[VicS]

Is this from Volvo's hand book or some local outfit looking for a nice job?

At 500 hrs the owners manual, q.v, only specifies changing a couple of belts and a propeller seal in addition to the other routine service items

 

[Stu Jackson]

If it's a Saildrive, how do you service the seals without engine removal?

 

[VicS]

If it's a Saildrive, how do you service the seals without engine removal?

Sail Drive on a KAD43 ?

Stern drive !!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thanks, Vic, then it really does sound like a "make work" issue.

 

[Heckler]

I own a Sessa 34 which is based in Mallorca and I've had since new (2003) The boat has two Volvo Penta KAD43 Z Drive engines which have been serviced every year in accordance with the Volvo Schedule and the books stamped.

The Engines have done just under 500 hours each and never missed a beat in the last 8 years.

I am being told that both engines require a 'full inspection' and they must remove both engines and take them apart to replace many parts.

The cost is around 7,000 Euros

Do I need this work done?

NO!!!
Stu

 

[nigelmercier]

I own a Sessa 34 which is based in Mallorca ...

Tell them "Vete a la mierda"

 

[VicS]

Tell them "Vete a la mierda"

. . . . .

 

[kevinfromspain]

Thanks everyone

I will look into more and get some independent advice

 

[vyv_cox]

You may find this page of my website useful.

As has been said, 500 hours is a very small lifetime indeed for an engine. As an example, my Yanmar has done 1900 and has only ever had one belt change, other than routine maintenance, in its life. I know of heavily used engines in flotilla lead boats that have done an estimated 15,000 hours with nothing other than routine maintenance.

 

[Skylark]

I own a Sessa 34 which is based in Mallorca and I've had since new (2003) The boat has two Volvo Penta KAD43 Z Drive engines which have been serviced every year in accordance with the Volvo Schedule and the books stamped.

The Engines have done just under 500 hours each and never missed a beat in the last 8 years.

I am being told that both engines require a 'full inspection' and they must remove both engines and take them apart to replace many parts.

The cost is around 7,000 Euros

Do I need this work done?

In a nutshell, quite simply ridiculous. It beggars belief that a normal production engine should be removed and stripped as part of a full inspection.

Unless there is a gross misunderstanding, someone is taking the pi$$.

 

[Lakesailor]

Thanks everyone

I will look into more and get some independent advice

You've had the independent advice.

 

[daveyw]

Unless you are using the boat for commercial use? Here in the uk I believe full strip down is required every so often to maintain certain coding???

 

[rotrax]

Unless you are using the boat for commercial use? Here in the uk I believe full strip down is required every so often to maintain certain coding???

Really?

 

[cliff]

Unless you are using the boat for commercial use? Here in the uk I believe full strip down is required every so often to maintain certain coding???

And I suppose you believe in Santa Claus too
Aircraft engines possibly as they tend to fall out of the sky upon engine failure.

 

[Plevier]

Traditional type light aircraft piston engines (Continental and Lycoming) are mostly lifed at around 2000hrs to compulsory strip overhaul in commercial use. In recreational use there is no limit, it's all by condition, to go to 4000hrs is not uncommon.

BTW In engine failure they don't fall out of the sky, they glide and more often than not make successful field landings!

 

[oldgit]

You may find it worthwhile posting this over on the MotorBoat Forum.
I suspect you may have a water ingress problem with your outdrive legs.
Because of C*rap rubbish design and general rubbishess of outdrives ,some engines have to be moved to get at bolts and stuff to resolve some outdrive problems.
They may be telling you the truth.Pop over to MoBo forum.