How many hours will a Volvo 30/40 series engine last for?

[Elza_Skip]

Reading other threads on engine hours got me thinking about this "how long is a piece of string question"

So on the assumption the engines are serviced properly to the schedule but given the adverse effects of long periods of inaction, when would say a KAD32 or a TAMD41 be realistically considered "old"

My TAMD41bs are 20 years old and have done 1050 hours. They run well but are now a bit more smokey and a bit down on power but start well and run smooth. The most obvious items to wear and reduce performance I would think are the turbos but I shall leave well alone so as not to put more stress on the rest of the engine. I have i mind that another 2-300 hours will probably all I will get away with.

 

[[2068]]

I would have guessed at 2500-3000hrs being a reasonable interval between rebuilds.
But specific things can cause them to need major TLC before then.

i.e. it's not about hours, and it's not just age either.

 

[AdeOlly]

If I remember a previous thread on a similar vain, it was fuel consumed that was the most relevant figure with regard to engine life... though I have no idea what those figures might be.

 

[Divemaster1]

How long is a piece of string ? .... there are so many factors that springs to mind...

Load ... overpropped and not reaching full WOT, but still cruising at 200 RPM below what manufacturer state is recommended .. ie running at 100% load..... or running at comfortable RPM for engine that gets to full operating temp etc., but no more than 50% load ... big diffence in life expectancy in the two extremes...

Service and feeding the engine with clean fuel, oil and air.... neglecting this may mean Big Bill arriving early..

Environmental issues, such as salt water sloshing around in the bilge under engines....

Frequent use... most leisure marine engines stand to death rather than bein used to death ... and when started up are expected to perform at 100% ... a right killer...

Tell us more about use, configuration etc., and we may understand the question better.....

 

[oldgit]

My 40As had 4500 hours and were still running perfectly well .Looked at a boat that had 10.000. !

 

[jrudge]

A typical engine in a light aircraft is lifed at 2400 hrs. It will probably have had a top overhaul at half life.

Bear in mind this is a 50 year old air cooled design.

A modern marine engine ( and in the context of the aircraft 20 yrs is sprightly) must last twice as long! Usage patern, or lack of, is similar to a boat.

 

[oldgit]

A typical engine in a light aircraft is lifed at 2400 hrs. It will probably have had a top overhaul at half life.

Bear in mind this is a 50 year old air cooled design.

A modern marine engine ( and in the context of the aircraft 20 yrs is sprightly) must last twice as long! Usage patern, or lack of, is similar to a boat.

The Lycoming design has been around since early 1930s ?

 

[rosssavage]

My 61a's are coming up to 3000 hrs, had turbos done at about 1800, injectors done two weeks ago. Serviced IAW the schedule to the letter, run beautifully at the moment. I need another five years really!

Friends got a pair of 30yr old 60b's with 6000 hrs on hem - bit smokey, but start on the button and run well.

 

[Latestarter1]

Marine engine age breaks down into two factors, durability and reliability.

Effects of 'marine age' of engine hang on's such as charge coolers and heat exchanger impact on long term reliability. This is the BIG deal.

Durability of base motor is far less important issue for pleasure use. Cat have a very simple and common sense approach, they quote base engine B50 life as a factor of total fuel burn and NOT engine hours.

 

[volvopaul]

I have stripped 41 series motor due to poor starting and uneven running when started from cold , to find ring gap 4 times max tolerance yet pistons and liner wear minimal to the point it can be re rung if the bores are still ok after glaze busting. Volvo don't sell the liner as a separate part but k s do so its readable on a budget to re ring and liner the engine. The last one I stripped had done less than 2000 hours . The build made a real difference to cold starting and even idle when cold .

 

[boatmike]

I have stripped 41 series motor due to poor starting and uneven running when started from cold , to find ring gap 4 times max tolerance yet pistons and liner wear minimal to the point it can be re rung if the bores are still ok after glaze busting. Volvo don't sell the liner as a separate part but k s do so its readable on a budget to re ring and liner the engine. The last one I stripped had done less than 2000 hours . The build made a real difference to cold starting and even idle when cold .

Hi Paul, Interested as always in your post. Have just completed overhaul and service of my 2 TAMD 41a engines. They have done about 750 hrs (according to the meter anyway) Both had no turbo issues and after re-wiring even the exhaust choke flaps work well. Cleared some salt deposits from intercooler and pipes and flushed out heat exchangers and fitted new anodes but apart from leaks from the fresh water circulation pumps that now have new seals, shafts and bearings (pig of a job but eventually successful) there was little to do. Pressure test of each cylinder showed good results and valve clearances were spot on without adjustment. They now run like swiss watches, start easily and only smoke when cold as they all do. In an Aquastar Oceanranger 33 I get 22 knots flat out so I think it will be a long time before they are considered old! Luckily the boat has always been overwintered well and engines put to bed properly each year. You mention " k s " supply liners etc. Don't need liners of course but are they a good source for other parts that might become necessary? Who and where are they please?

 

[volvopaul]

Hi Paul, Interested as always in your post. Have just completed overhaul and service of my 2 TAMD 41a engines. They have done about 750 hrs (according to the meter anyway) Both had no turbo issues and after re-wiring even the exhaust choke flaps work well. Cleared some salt deposits from intercooler and pipes and flushed out heat exchangers and fitted new anodes but apart from leaks from the fresh water circulation pumps that now have new seals, shafts and bearings (pig of a job but eventually successful) there was little to do. Pressure test of each cylinder showed good results and valve clearances were spot on without adjustment. They now run like swiss watches, start easily and only smoke when cold as they all do. In an Aquastar Oceanranger 33 I get 22 knots flat out so I think it will be a long time before they are considered old! Luckily the boat has always been overwintered well and engines put to bed properly each year. You mention " k s " supply liners etc. Don't need liners of course but are they a good source for other parts that might become necessary? Who and where are they please?

Kolben Schmidt is a German manufacturer of engine components you need a dealer

 

[spannerman]

We once took in px against a new motor a 41 that had 9000 hrs on it with no major overhaul, it had been in a commercial boat and we cleaned it up and sold it on as it still ran perfectly.

 

[boatmike]

We once took in px against a new motor a 41 that had 9000 hrs on it with no major overhaul, it had been in a commercial boat and we cleaned it up and sold it on as it still ran perfectly.

No reason why not really. As I have demonstrated on here previously I am not a marine diesel expert but I have restored many old cars, tractors, motorbikes and other things from a vintage Bugatti to an Ivory Calthorpe bike. If an engine has regular oil and filter changes and is generally looked after it should last many thousands of hours. My current vehicle is a Volvo XC90 and has 165000 miles on the clock. At say an average of 35 miles per hour that equates to around 4714 hours. Apart from 2 cambelt changes it still runs superbly. I think marine engines usually die of neglect, mis-use and corrosion due to being left overwinter in damp cold conditions not normal wear....