Newbee needs advice KAD 32

[Ancoha]

Hello, I am new at this forum. We are planning to buy a Leader 705, year 2001 with a KA`D 32 with 618 hours. I love diesel engines in a boat. In meantime I have been reading a lot about this engine. If I understnd correctly it has a supercharger and a “regular’ turbo, the supercharger is activated by a clutch, ( like on a ac compressor in a car ). The clutch is activated after you start the engine, when a certain temperature is reached it kick out, When accelerating it kicks in around 1700 rpm and out again at 2500 rpm. Is that correct or is this clutch always activated ?.

 

[DavidJ]

If it’s like my KAD43’s the clutch is only activated by the rpm measurements you mention. I think it is only some electronic engines that it kicks in on start up until a temperature is reached
Await confirmation from others

 

[Momac]

The supercharger cuts in an out according to engine speed.
It does not cut in on cold start up as you suggest.

 

[madabouttheboat]

The supercharger cuts in an out according to engine speed.
It does not cut in on cold start up as you suggest.

Correct. That info probably came from the KAD44 and KAD300, which do cut in on start up.

 

[Mr Googler]

It does not cut in on cold start up as you suggest.

It does on kad44 and above

It has a “kick down” switch too so if you pin the throttle full open….the sc cuts in regardless of revs

 

[Ancoha]

Thanks for your responses. I have been reading somewhere : ( cannot find it at this moment ) the clutch from the supercharger will be engaged ( kicks in ) at the moment the engine will be started and running, after the engine is at working temperature ( 85 degrees celcius ) it will kick out. KAD-32 We started yesterday the motor for the first time, RPM meter was not working, alarm was sounding, battery light was on, voltage 11.5 volt. We run the motor for about twenty minutes, but the clutch of the supercharger always stays engaged. We didn’t take the boat out to sea. Want first have the charging problem fixed. But is it normal the clutch from the supercharger is still engaged after more then twenty minutes running at idle ?.

 

[alt]

As has been said already, the KAD32 supercharger does not kick in at idle when cold (This is on the KAD300, and possibly the KAD44)

Alarm sounding + 11.5v + no RPM gauge = alternator not charging, but could be as simple as a loose wire. Replacing alternator(s) is cheap and easy, I wouldn't let that put me off (could just have gotten soaked with a leaking sea water pump). I've had to replace my alternator on my KAD300 (I originally had it 'rebuilt' .... went again after a few hours, replaced and no issues 2 years later).

 

[simonfraser]

'could just have gotten soaked with a leaking sea water pump'

indeed, check carefully nothing else got damaged by the salt water being sprayed due to the rotating alternator

 

[Momac]

Alternator fault or corroded wires/broken wire spade connectors could well be the main issue as the tachometer isn't working and it seems the battery is not being charged with the engine running. Maybe the resulting low voltage explains the faulty supercharger operation. Or perhaps the supercharger clutch and speed relay are faulty.
The alternator doesn't look corroded in the photograph. But the Volvo Penta design here with the alternator below the sea water pump isn't a great feature.

 

[DavidJ]

May seem an odd question but are you sure the supercharger is engaged? You may see it rotating but not engaged. Does it make the characteristic howling noise. If at stand still you rev up to say 1800 rpm do you hear it kick in
I will repeat your engine supercharger does not kick in at cold

 

[Mr Googler]

Good video showing sc cutting in and out

 

[Ancoha]

Thanks for all information. Mr Googler, thanks for the video. I do understand how these clutches work, they are the same principle as on a AC compressor from a car. 12 volt is supplied to a coil and the pulley at the front is pulled inward cuasing the supercharer to turn. At the boat, the pulley is always engaged, the supercharger ( shaft ) turns always. Maybe I can disconnect the 12 volt supply to the coil ??. Maybe somebody can tell me the color of the wire and where is the “black box” of the electronics of the supercharger ?

About the Alternator : I did check for leacks at or underneath the waterpump, but all was dry, could not find any oxidation, but I am sure the alternator is not charging ; alarm was sounding, light battery was on and voltmeter showed only 11.5 volts. I cannot believe this not charging will effect the electronics from the supercharger, causing it to be engaging continue the pulley, maybe somebody knows ?

Tomorrow we do have a second meeting with the ships handler, they will show us the story / maintenance / repairs done in the 23 year life of the boat.

Another thing I noticed on the engine a connection hose, it was blown up a little, like there was a lot of pressure on it, I ad a phote from a similar engine showing the location of the hose. Why ?, is this a problem ?.

 

[alt]

I wouldn't let the dud alternator put me off - worst case, you need a new one. 20 min job. (The new alternator won't come with a pulley... I just used an impact gun to take loosen the nut).

 

[volvopaul]

The clutch is permanently engaged due to 2 reasons ,
1. It’s got that hot the linings have melted together, very rare .
2. The kick down switch has failed which tells the relay to give power to the clutch , disconnect the plug to the clutch and see if it alters .

 

[petem]

Thanks for all information. Mr Googler, thanks for the video. I do understand how these clutches work, they are the same principle as on a AC compressor from a car. 12 volt is supplied to a coil and the pulley at the front is pulled inward cuasing the supercharer to turn. At the boat, the pulley is always engaged, the supercharger ( shaft ) turns always. Maybe I can disconnect the 12 volt supply to the coil ??. Maybe somebody can tell me the color of the wire and where is the “black box” of the electronics of the supercharger ?

About the Alternator : I did check for leacks at or underneath the waterpump, but all was dry, could not find any oxidation, but I am sure the alternator is not charging ; alarm was sounding, light battery was on and voltmeter showed only 11.5 volts. I cannot believe this not charging will effect the electronics from the supercharger, causing it to be engaging continue the pulley, maybe somebody knows ?

Tomorrow we do have a second meeting with the ships handler, they will show us the story / maintenance / repairs done in the 23 year life of the boat.

Another thing I noticed on the engine a connection hose, it was blown up a little, like there was a lot of pressure on it, I ad a phote from a similar engine showing the location of the hose. Why ?, is this a problem ?.

Note the brown (ruts) stained coolant header tank which suggests that the coolant hasn't been changed at the prescribed frequencies.

Also, I believe that the Supercharger controller was on back order with VP (and had been for some time) so I'd check availability with Volvo if I were you.

 

[stelican]

Note the brown (ruts) stained coolant header tank which suggests that the coolant hasn't been changed at the prescribed frequencies.

Also, I believe that the Supercharger controller was on back order with VP (and had been for some time) so I'd check availability with Volvo if I were you.

Are you you referring to #1

 

[petem]

Are you you referring to #1

Yes (unless it's yellow coolant)? I'm used to the green stuff.

 

[Momac]

Whats that multi coloured tape on the wiring loom and why is the loom routed like that ?
Maybe the loom is damaged ?

 

[Momac]

On my kad32's the loom sits like this

The only coloured tape is green for starboard and red for port

 

[Momac]

Also note the coolant tank on my image is not stained. But the photograph was taken soon after the tank had been cleaned. Some staining of the header tank is very common. Two years should be considered a maximum for coolant changes.