Service costs

[david_e]

Never had a diesel service b4, as part of the 3 year warranty my 100 hour one is due soon. Any idea on costs and what is involved?

The engine is a Volvo 2030

 

[nicho]

David, whatever you do, shop around and get a price in advance. It seems that many owners do not, and get "stung". I have just had my 2030's 1st service with RK Marine (Swanick, on the Hamble), and they were the only ones who would quote, (£104 + VAT, inclusive of parts, oil, time, travelling etc). Others would only quote their hourly rate, and so many pence per mile travelling etc. I was talking to someone last week, who for the same engine were charges almost £200, and that was for exactly the same first service. RK even left the balance of the engine oil on the boat. If you are in the Hamble area, they are recommended, but whoever you use do get a firm quote first.

Incidentally, this is the first experience I've had of a sailing boats service costs - compare that with the £1400+ we used to spend on our motor cruisers two diesel monsters!!

Cheers

Mike N

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[david_e]

Thanks Nicho, boat is up in N Wales. I read from what you are saying that any Volvo agent can complete the service as part of the warranty.

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[aod]

They change the oil filter, change the oil, check and clean or change the air filter, change the fuel filters (if you stipulate the change) and then charge you a small morgage.
I have a Yanmar 2GM20 and having had the first service from new (in order to maintain the warranty) I have always done all the rest of the services myself.

I do it twice a year and have saved shed loads of cash. For what they do it's a rip off (like most things in the boating world).

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[nicho]

That's how I see it. However, I'm sure that in the eyes of EEC law these days, as long as the service engineer is fully qualified AND he uses genuine Volve parts, then the manufacturers warranty HAS to be upheld. Not that I would particularly like to put it to the test however, but perhaps someone on the forum can confirm that?.

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[david_e]

Thanks, I can, and would prefer to do these things myself, but have to have the service done by a dealer to maintain the warranty. Not sure how good the warranty is. Volvo have recently reduced it from three to one year which is ominous.

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[nicho]

I think the reduction to one year only applies to their smaller yacht engines. The bigger stuff still gets three! As you suggest, what do Volvo know that we don't (yet!)

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[david_e]

That's interesting so it should give some options at least.

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[BalmainBug]

I'm thinking of starting doing it myself (after some serious training from a mechanic friend).

Any Ideas where I can get a service manual for a Volvo MD7B.

I know I don't need this for oil change filters etc, but it might be handy at a later date..

Cheers

Mark

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[Paulka]

Make a "Search" on Amazon.
They usually find even out of print books.

Good luck.

Paul

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[billmacfarlane]

I've got the same engine David, and was charged £158.00 for its first warranty service.

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[John7]

From my experience of not finding out fully what a service would cost, travelling of and service over £500 (£250 for two trips!). They a failed to reconnect the alternator wiring properly or tighten it up properly, a paper gasket fitted with a speed seal (caused it to leek until I found it) and charged for parts not fitted and replaced others that did not need replacing (a belt used for under 20 hours!) The only reliable way is to do it your self, go on one of the RYA diesel courses, well worth it. As you will need to check every thing they were meant to do any way and if you do it your self you will get a much better idea of what to do if things go wrong.

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[david_e]

Thanks Bill.

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