VolPen Owners Club

[boatone]

Would be interested to get some idea of how many here would actively support some sort of owners association for Volvo Penta marine engines?

Not thinking of rallies on the M25 with engines in car boot (although I'm sure some might suggest a 'boot' sale would be a good idea ! ) but rather a collective knowledge base for spares, fault reporting etc etc which might actually be able to raise awareness of unsatisfactory issues or perhaps even offer a fair picture of reliability and useage, maintenance etc?

Obviously would need to be objective rather than emotional but a well structured collective voice might have its merits. What think you all?

' shouldn't cost much to put that right....or is it a v*lv*? ;-)'

www.boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[cngarrod]

Hi Tony,

Sounds like a good idea to me... may not be able to offer any great depths of advice or similar... but will do my best!

I think that any facility where a collective can share views or act as a combined force has to be of benefit. The vast array of views that will be generated ranging from "in favour of" to major objections, can only stand to benefit the majority and at least allow more than one view on any particular point in question.

Count me in!

Craig.

 

[PGD]

Hi, great idea, count me in, have had both petrol and diesel engines and as you all know, done the transplant bit too.

Happy to help out on any marketing you need to.

Regards

Peter

Not everything is black and white if you prove otherwise you’ll get run over on a zebra crossing

 

[KevB]

Good idea. It'll be interesting to see the pros and cons of owning a Volvo engine. Maybe it could contain area's for owners of other engines for comparison?

Politically incorrect and proud of it.

 

[Gludy]

As I mentioned in a previous thread, I am producing a web site that enables folks to view alternative parts for Volvo engines - a database of info. It would be easy to extend this into a web site that could support your proposal.

The site will offer the same service for other makes apart from Volvo but will be structured so that each one is kept separate.

Naturally, it will be a totally free to use site.

As I plan to put this together in the next week, any ideas etc would be welcome. At he moment I can get it up by working this weekend because my Volvo engine has a problem and has to be fixed - so my crusing plans are scuppered. (some sort of natural justice there).

The site would also offer free advertising to any volvo or other service engineer to advertise their services.

If you want to form an owners association etc, then I will offer ensure that the site supports your agreed aims.

I do not see it as a Volvo bashing site, just a very honest, open information source that is developed over time to suit its users requirments.


Paul

 

[hlb]

Looks like you got compitition already! But suggest that being as your all ready on the case. To carry on.

We'll need a flag too. How about an anchor with a cross through it and an engine on the end of a chain, underneath!!

Spare fuel and bulkhead filters arrived this morning from Key Part. No fuss. Thats got you started so no excuse.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[PGD]

Balance is key here, we need to ensure we meet our aims but also cover any expensces with ad income. Now Volvo Ocean Race pop ups then.

Suggested Aims for discussion

1 to provide timely and accurate information
2 give users the opportunity to compare engines / parts etc.
3 have the opportunity to ask questions / comment

Outside of this we need to ensure we don't have junk data, anyone posting data must do so on the basis that it is a true account and not mud slinging or that we vet the info prior to publication.

You'll need a privicy policy and a no liabilty statement to say that the info is offered with the best of intensions but we can't be held liable for accuracy, only that we'd do our best to ensure it was accurate in the first place.

peter


Not everything is black and white if you prove otherwise you’ll get run over on a zebra crossing

 

[boatone]

Totally agree.
My thoughts are to establish a 'user group' with three key objectives:
1. To provide an information base
2. To enable users to communicate with each other
on matters regarding VP engines, stern drives etc.
3. To communicate customer service issues to Volvo Penta

It MUST be objective and accurate to be credible and would have to crack down hard on anything that might be detrimental to that, and I would certainly not entertain it being a 'moaners' club.. Item 3 above would only really start to have clout if the membership base is significant, although we might be able to help individuals to decide how best to raise their problems with VP. I would certainly intend to let VP know of our existence and try to set up a dialogue for mutual benifit.

I am happy to set it up as a voluntary activity initially (have already registered volpen.org.uk for this purpose) and I would not intend to take trade advertising initially to avoid any early conflict of interest. If and when significant time management and other costs start to arise then we would need to consider how best to raise revenue, which might include a membership fee and/or ads from service co's and dealers etc
It would certainly need support from quite a few of you if it is to get off the ground. An information base with no information is not much of an incentive for people to join!



' shouldn't cost much to put that right....or is it a v*lv*? ;-)'

www.boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[Gludy]

Sounds great to me, go ahead and count on my support. I will put mine on the backburner.
Wish you every success.

Paul

 

[Scubadoo]

Count me in, I'll do my best to give as much information on my three years with my Volvo engine and other makes if needed.

Just point me in the right direction and off I go.

RM.

 

[Tucepi]

As the owner of two volvo TAM 31a I would certainly be interested.

 

[Guest]

Please, please, please count me in!!! I have a nasty V8 petrol with low compression in one cylinder...just bought her and it's been standing for some time...hope to God it's a gummed up cylinder and that a good engine flush will sort it.
When dry tested it was 75 PSI..wet tested was 110 PSI.
Could this be a 'gummed up cylinder?? Please everybody tell me it might be..sniff..sniff...boo hoo...or is this the curse of Volvo??
HELP.............................................................................................

 

[BarryH]

I had that, mine turned out to be a couple of burnt valves. But if you say the compression goes up when its wet, i presume your putting a squirt of oil in it, then it sounds like rings to me. It should'nt cost much, and pigs take off from heathrow!!

Go to a car place for the bits, or real steel or somebody, GM V8, sposed to be unburstable, till volvo put their name on it

Smile. its only money!

 

[Col]

Nothing wrong with the V8, to unstick the rings, try running engine up to temp, then squirt a mixture of diesel and white spirit down the spark plug hole, and let soak. don't forget to do an oil chage after.
A common cause of lost compression on the chevy, is a "belled" valve
ie: the stem will protrude into rocker cover more than the others, a quick check with a straight edge along the top of the valve springs will confirm this.

 

[oddball]

Count me in two having 2 Petrol V8's know most of the pit falls and Key parts are 10/10

 

[trev]

Definitely has my support.

Trev

 

[tripleace]

I'M IN, GOT THREE VOLVO / DIESEL / AD41 DUO

 

[boatone]

OK - looks like there are enough of you interested to try and get this thing rolling.
Off on the boat now till sunday evening but will get it up and running early next week.


' shouldn't cost much to put that right....or is it a v*lv*? ;-)'

www.boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[Chris771]

As I now have my Skibsplast 700 with ultra reliable Yamnar 140 up for sale, and have ordered an Antares 760 with a 200 Volvo I feel that I had better join any owners association.

Reading the threads over the last couple of months has made me question the wisdom of my choice. Perhaps I should have opted for the Nanni/Toyota 175 instead, which would probably travel a couple of knots slower (reliably)?

Chris

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Having just shelled out multiple £000s on binning a petrol engine to replace it with a string of letters ending in 200HP I'm interested in this one too.

Couldn't fit a GM V8 diesel in, so reliability of smae seemed irrelevant.