Najad 361 Engine replacement

[chrischand]

My 1997 Najad 361 is need of a new engine. The volvo penta D2-50 has been suggested but the fuel and oil filters, dipstick and injectors are all on the opposite side of the engine from the original MD22L. Does anybody have experience of having a D2 fitted to a Najad 361? In particular is it possible to access the filters ?

 

[Tranona]

Unless you can cut an access hatch on the starboard side then the only access will be from the top or the side. The fuel filter is right at the back..

Suspect you will find most replacements will have at least some service items on the starboard side - for example the Beta and Nanni have the oil filter on the front port side but oil dipstick fuel filter and sump pump on the starboard side.

 

[Concerto]

If I were buying a new engine, Volvo would be at the bottom of the list due to the cost of spare parts. You would be better off checking with marinised industrial engines like Beta, Nanni, Yanmar, and see which meets your requirements.

 

[Tranona]

That is a bit of a myth. Service parts - filters, belts etc are no different from other makes. The expensive bits such as unique marinisation parts (heat exchangers pumps etc) are similar. however these parts are very rarely needed and the overall service costs are similar as big users such as charter operators know. The reality is that modern freshwater cooled marine engines are extremely reliable and long lived needing little more than oil and filter changes throughout their lives. My last Volvo (2030) ran 3500 hours with just oil and filter changes.

There really is very little to choose between the different makes in terms of reliability and lifetime costs.

 

[Concerto]

Maybe my memory of a powerboat with Volvo's that required Volvo oil - 20 gallons- to ensure the guarantee was a cost too far. This may have changed with EU rules, but this was in the late 80's and cost the owner then over £200.

A couple of years ago I tried helping a Dutch yacht with a blowing Volvo exhaust. He eventually had to get a Volvo engineer come with a Volvo specific replacement part and a bill of over £500.

If travelling outside Europe, then having a marinised industrial engine means regular spare parts are readily available anywhere in the world.

 

[Nina Lucia]

My 1997 Najad 361 is need of a new engine. The volvo penta D2-50 has been suggested but the fuel and oil filters, dipstick and injectors are all on the opposite side of the engine from the original MD22L. Does anybody have experience of having a D2 fitted to a Najad 361? In particular is it possible to access the filters ?

We keep repairing our old 2003t on our Aphrodite Najad 36, probably very similar lay out as yours, sometime is better devil you know?

 

[Tranona]

If travelling outside Europe, then having a marinised industrial engine means regular spare parts are readily available anywhere in the world.

Sorry to disagree - but it is rather the opposite. There is really no difficulty with service items of either type of engine - they are all basically Japanese engines!, But Volvo and Yanmar in particular have extensive service networks whereas the smaller marinisers such as Beta do not to the same extent. As already suggested the potential difficulties and expense are with the marinisation bits, not the industrial base engines - and the base engines for Volvo D1 nd D2 are Perkins Shibaura industrial engines anyway!

There are other factors that have more influence over replacement engine choice (including financial) such as layout of service items, compatibility with existing components, availability of transmission options and even colour.

 

[WoodyP]

My 1997 Najad 361 is need of a new engine. The volvo penta D2-50 has been suggested but the fuel and oil filters, dipstick and injectors are all on the opposite side of the engine from the original MD22L. Does anybody have experience of having a D2 fitted to a Najad 361? In particular is it possible to access the filters ?

Not doubting you, but what's wrong with the engine that can't be fixed?

 

[doug748]

Forum member Patrick Laine is not thrilled with Volvo:

But sometimes you are just stuck with what you have.

.

 

[Bobc]

Fit a Beta 50. A far better engine and cheaper too. Sits directly onto the same engine bearers and service items are on the starboard side, the same as the MD22.

I'm well impressed with my one, and the parts are about a 5th of the price of VP bits.

 

[Tranona]

Fit a Beta 50. A far better engine and cheaper too. Sits directly onto the same engine bearers and service items are on the starboard side, the same as the MD22.

I'm well impressed with my one, and the parts are about a 5th of the price of VP bits.

That is not the case. The MD22 has all the service parts on the port side looking forward and the heat exchanger/exhaust on the starboard - exactly the opposite of most modern engines - including Volvos. A real problem for the OP as I guess his engine room access is all on the port side because of this and there is no easy access to the other side.

Out of interest what parts have you needed on your almost new engine that were a fifth of the price of the Volvo equivalent?

 

[Laysula]

You can get kits to remote mount your oil filter and it shouldn't be difficult to move the fuel filter.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Beta engines are good with the aftersales service being excellent. Even the marinisation bits are not expensive - in my opinion... I chose the Beta as it had better access to the service items - unlike some I looked at. In addition Beta are good at making special parts for particular engines and installations. I had special feet made so didn't have to move the engine bearers.

 

[doug748]

Assuming this is the right boat:



And this the original engine:



If it's not you can disregard this lot...............


Then the front and side access looks fine. Lots of stuff can be done from the front on Beta engines and the 50 looks no different. The air filter would be at the back stbd side but should be no problem. The oil drain pump would be also there but might work very well - it may even be particularly handy to reach across from the good port side access panel with an empty gallon can. If not, it's a remote pump and no doubt could be re-sited.
Port side access for the heat exchanger work would be excellent, also for draining and refilling the gearbox.

Tricky stuff might be the injection tackle but the boat seems to have very good vertical clearance above the engine and it's not something that is routine concern.

Mind you with luck someone will be along who has actually owned the boat and has direct experience.

.

.

 

[Bobc]

That is not the case. The MD22 has all the service parts on the port side looking forward and the heat exchanger/exhaust on the starboard - exactly the opposite of most modern engines - including Volvos. A real problem for the OP as I guess his engine room access is all on the port side because of this and there is no easy access to the other side.

Out of interest what parts have you needed on your almost new engine that were a fifth of the price of the Volvo equivalent?

You are correct. Having thought about it further, all the service parts are on the other side, which is not a problem for me as I have inspection hatches on both sides of the engine bay, but would be no good for the OP.

 

[doris]

My 1997 Najad 361 is need of a new engine. The volvo penta D2-50 has been suggested but the fuel and oil filters, dipstick and injectors are all on the opposite side of the engine from the original MD22L. Does anybody have experience of having a D2 fitted to a Najad 361? In particular is it possible to access the filters ?

Why do yo need such a big engine? If going the Volvo route, surely a D1-30 would be more than enough??

 

[Bobc]

Why do yo need such a big engine? If going the Volvo route, surely a D1-30 would be more than enough??

I did wonder that myself, but people seem to like over-powering their boats these days. I would have thought that a 30hp would be plenty.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Our Volvo Penta 2003t
Parts are very expensive, couple of weeks ago we bought six rubber washers from Volvo-£36.00!

 

[Nina Lucia]

Our Volvo Penta 2003t
Parts are very expensive

 

[Nina Lucia]

Forum member Patrick Laine is not thrilled with Volvo:

But sometimes you are just stuck with what you have.

.

Price of Volvo parts, how they can justify ?!