Ever had a diesel engine just stop for no reason?

[LittleSister]

I swear I was actually thinking only moments earlier that although I was initially a little wary of it, it's been absolutely 100% reliable and easy to use in practice.

Well, there's the cause then!

 

[Assassin]

No engine made simply stops for no reason and this needs investigating and a conclusion reached, Google is your friend if used correctly and a little research into similar issues may give you an insight or direction in which to head by using logic and knowledge of the conditions under which you were acting.

 

[jim.howes]

Hi Julians why are you so optimistic in this world of doom, gloom and despondency ? Jim

 

[julians]

Hi Julians why are you so optimistic in this world of doom, gloom and despondency ? Jim

Ha , having owned a vp d4 engined boat for the last 4 years ,i am well versed on what goes wrong with them, wish i wasnt though

 

[prv]

if the motor draws too much current while changing gear,the ecu shuts down the engine because it fears that it will not be able to shift back into neutral, ie it doesnt want you stuck in gear with the engine running ( debatable whether this is the best course of action by the ecu)

As someone who sometimes has to write machinery-control firmware like this, I suspect it might not be thought through as far as "don't want you to get stuck in gear", but is simply "motor is drawing more than the hardware designers told us it ever would, something must have gone wrong mechanically, stop everything to avoid damage".

Though maybe Volvo's designers (and lawyers) think further ahead than me

Pete

 

[petem]

Ha , having owned a vp d4 engined boat for the last 4 years ,i am well versed on what goes wrong with them, wish i wasnt though

Sadly most marine engines have a pretty predictable set of issues. It amuses my colleagues when I tell them the next thing that will break with mine (turbos I suspect)!

 

[Portofino]

Sadly most marine engines have a pretty predictable set of issues. It amuses my colleagues when I tell them the next thing that will break with mine (turbos I suspect)!

Not quite correct in my view and experience Pete .
I would say the engines made in Germany are trouble free compared to the ubiquitous Swedish brand .
A bit like there cars there’s an engineering integrity to the design and manufacture with a close control of component quality and standards .

The number of posts on here regarding breakdowns and problems during the season ,often repeat items ( different formulites ) speaks volumes .

 

[julians]

Not quite correct in my view and experience Pete .
I would say the engines made in Germany are trouble free compared to the ubiquitous Swedish brand .
A bit like there cars there’s an engineering integrity to the design and manufacture with a close control of component quality and standards .

The number of posts on here regarding breakdowns and problems during the season ,often repeat items ( different formulites ) speaks volumes .

Its definitely the case that vp engines have predictable issues, but i wonder whether a lot of these issues could be prevented by a more explicit maintenance routine specified by volvo.

Eg every 4 years replace gear cable - this would prevent the issue nick is talking about in this thread.

 

[julians]

Its definitely the case that vp engines have predictable issues, but i wonder whether a lot of these issues could be prevented by a more explicit maintenance routine specified by volvo.

Eg every 4 years replace gear cable - this would prevent the issue nick is talking about in this thread.

Just checked the manaual for the d4, it says every 600 hours or 5 years to check the operation of the gear shift cable.

Clearly few people do this, hence the issues we all see.

The maintenance routine specified by vp in the manual does cover most of the common issues (except for the steering rams problem), so i suspect all the issues are caused by us owners (or the people we appoint to look after these engines) not following the maintenance schedule to the letter .

 

[Uricanejack]

I was going from forward to reverse I think, albeit fairly gently and all at tickover, all was well under control (at that point..!)

I have never had a Diesel stop for no reason. I have certainly had a diesel stop for a reason which was unknown to me.

One of which was a sudden increase in load on an idling engine. Needless to say at an inconvenient moment.
Going Astern. The explanation, the idling engine stalled. Due to the sudden load of trying to make the propeller turn against the flow of water going past it.
Bottom line. Engine was not a good match with the prop. (The vessel had been re engine)
Solution. Increase idle speed. Not ideal.
If you were moving slowly through the water it may be your gear change.

My suggestion don't be to "gentle" When going into astern put in gear smartly and give it a brief burst of revs then back down to idle.

 

[[2068]]

That sticky shift cable could damage an actuator, which would be a big bill, But there's also a smaller chance of blowing the PCU, which is when Uncle Very Big BIll arrives.

 

[Nick Burnham]

Out for a new shift cable today!

Many thanks for all the advice, it was most helpful.

 

[alt]

Nice boat. Almost bought one when I was in the sub 30ft category. Was very envious of my friends 805 when I had an S23. To prove my manliness, bought a 37 footer

From what I remember, reasonable space in the engine bay with the KAD43, so a cable change shouldn't be too much work, all depending on where the actuator is mounted, I guess.

 

[Nick Burnham]

Thank you, I'm absolutely thrilled with it, it's proving to be a great boat.

Sadly my bank balance isn't manly enough for a 37 footer!