Volv D4 Engines

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David of Essex

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1st year boating,any advise on keeping the D4 running for a long time. Had 1st 50 hour service and not impressed with the quality of work or customer service. 3.1/2 litre short of oil. Any pitfulls in carrying out future servicing myself.
Cheers David1
 
Name and shame the dealer we should not put up with it, good job us private lads in this game do a great job we never have to spend silly money on advertising, ive got all my work over the last 17 years of working on my own all word of mouth.

Who did it " STEVIE WONDER MARINE".
 
They probably didn't top up the oil after starting it up, your missing 3.5 ltrs is what is used to fill the two large oil filters which don't drain down when you turn it off due to Volvos unique valve which stops them dumping 3.5 ltrs of black oil over your engine when you take them off.
These engines need 13 ltrs to refill after an oil change.
 
The D series from posts on this forum seem to be having their problems (do a search) My advice is for the next couple of years at least to have the servicing work done by Volvo proper. At least then you will maximise your chances if you have to make a claim, even outside the warrenty period.
 
We got our first D6 failure yesterday, the guy said he noticed it was down on power compared to the other motor (Windy Khamsin) so he turned for home then all the lights and alarms came on and the oil light lit up.
He motored back on the other, it had dumped the oil out through the crankcase breather and I had to put in 15 ltrs out of the normal 20 so I could run it.
There was horrible clattering sounds and loads of blowby from the oil filler, so have just ordered a new lump for him.
Its very indicative of an injector problem causing the oil to wash off the cylinder walls and causing ring failure. at 130 hrs.
 
Re: Eeeek!!!

To date around 32 D4/D6's have failed here in Norway, is it a problem in the UK too, as there don't seem to be any problems in Sweden or Denmark, so now norwegian diesel is being examined to see if 'our' blend is different from other countries as most problems seem to be injector related.
 
Re: Eeeek!!!

If it's any comfort mine has done 270hrs, no problems so far. Am I going to regret saying this ? I have said 'so far'! I know of two other D4's with similar hours and no problems.

Up to now mine has been very quiet (apart from supercharger), very clean, very economical and very responsive. Long may it stay that way. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Eeeek!!!

It would seem that these diesels could potentially have problems with injectors and red diesel fuel. Would a diesel fuel additive be a benefit or not. If OK what make would you recommend
 
Not Eeeek!!!

From what I have read on here, injector sleeve problems seem to be related to fuel issues in Scandanavia, maybe they have a lower Cetane number. I usually fuel from CPL in Poole who quote a Cetane no. of 51, which is good. Anything below 45 could cause poor, delayed ignition combustion with potential for engine harm of some sort. Not sure what Volvo recommend, must look it up, but upper 40's should be OK.

I bung some Soltron in, when I think of it - not very often, but doubt this has any Cetane improver action, although some claim it.

The thing is, we only tend to hear of problems, which may distort the true picture. I work for a Vauxhall dealership, and we see new cars with anything from sqeaks to blown engines. Would tend to make me think Vauxhalls are rubbish. But this is not the case, I drive plenty which are great, when you only see the problems it distorts things.
 
Re: Eeeek!!!

[ QUOTE ]
As long as they will run OK on Spanish diesel, that's fine by me!!

[/ QUOTE ]


The trouble is even if yours does run on Spanish plonk the reliability of the D series will be such that few will want a boat with them in.

ac25a11bf769168d2199b39eb05162ec.jpg


There were a few issues with a few BMW marine engines and the whole company failed, even boats with modified BMW engines which had not been any problem became unwanted and have to be sold at bargain prices, Petrol boats are more sort after than BMW diesels !

Volvo Penta are far too popular to loose reputation over one engine model but boats with D series in may be tricky to sell if Volvo Penta dont get their act together.

They need to modify the old units not just relaunch DII series
 
Re: Eeeek!!!

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
As long as they will run OK on Spanish diesel, that's fine by me!!

[/ QUOTE ]


The trouble is even if yours does run on Spanish plonk the reliability of the D series will be such that few will want a boat with them in.


[/ QUOTE ]

A bit of a sweeping statement methinks...??
I would have thought that unless the motors are thrashed within an inch of their lives and/or sadly neglected in the service department, no conclusion can be drawn that they are all "bad apples".

I can see the D4-300/320's being a bit stressed due to the immense amount of power that is being generated from a same-sized block, and I can understand why the Volvo T5 car engine derived D3 could have similar issues (mainly because I blew two of those up on motorways during moments of extreme...errr...urgency!!!)

.....not sure I'd accept that "few" will want a D4 powered boat, because at the moment, EVERYONE wants a D4 powered boat, rather than older generation engines, if boat manufacturers/distributors are to be believed.

However, we will see - only time will tell.
 
Re: Eeeek!!!

I saw Brendan's post too: Here is the thread to the original posting

Seems to refer mainly to
(a) D6's
and
(b) potential injector problems, bringing me neatly back to my point about Spanish plonk!!

Actually I just re-read it and it makes reference to injector <span style="color:red">sleeving </span> which I didn't spot before

Do Volvo make their own injectors, or buy them in??? It's my guess that they are a commercially available one....

Interesting read though - thanks for making me aware of it.
 
Re: Eeeek!!!

What we ARE talking about is issues that seem to be related to Norway, for whatever reason. I've not heard of any such things happening to engines in other locations. Perhaps someone can correct me on this.

All other diesels are noisy, smelly, smokey 'orrible things compared with D series. Now there's a sweeping statement.

Must admit, a bit worried about tempting fate and sticking up for the D's, what will this seanon bring.
 
Re: Eeeek!!!

[ QUOTE ]
What we ARE talking about is issues that seem to be related to Norway, for whatever reason. I've not heard of any such things happening to engines in other locations. Perhaps someone can correct me on this.



[/ QUOTE ]

Search engine is not working very well but a search from today reveals 2 or 3 separate issues.

D4 replaced
300D
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php?C...0&fpart=all
and of course the Norway 'hick up'

If 30-40 engines in Norway have blown up after a few years, then UK boats will almost certainly follow suit shortly.

If the problem is truly with low grade diesel then UK diesel sat in tanks of low use boats will deteriorate and the problem will unfold here soon.

I know Petrol looses its octane value after a winter and presume diesel will also degrade between August and May ????????????
There are boats in our club with 10 year old diesel in their tanks, many buy second hand heating oil from disused tanks, my old Volvo 41 series ran perfectly on it (little smoke), but the D series /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

No facts but enough to stop me going offshore with the dodgy D series.

EDIT

Nothing at all against your boat Geoff, it is almost Brand new /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
when I post I should make it clear I am looking from a second users point of view and expect a marine diesel engine to last for 15-20 years.

An engine that only lasts 5-6 years from my point of view is no use and unreliable.

But agreed from the new user who will change after 3 years it is a nice engine.
 
Re: Eeeek!!!

I take your points, Pete. I just question whether the label 'dodgy D' is deserved. Will it be around in 20 years time? I don't know, you'd probably say you doubt it. But I doubt there are many engines around of that age that haven't had major rebuilds. Lots of boats that age have been re engined at least once.

I guess there are plenty of old Sabres and things like that, but light one of them up, and the world disappears. Similar true of AD41's, our good friend Col used to describe his as 'emission impossible' when he pushed the throttles forward and a black hole appeared astern.

It is unfortunate that any engine, be it Volvo, Yanmar, Yamaha or CMD can go bang at any time, especially if neglected. And yes, we do seem to hear of more Volvos going bang than others (seen some horror stories of Kad's over the years). But I'd guess that 75% of boats under 50ft built in the last 10 years have Volvo engines, so bound to hear of them more often.

A modern engine has to meet all of the latest regulations, which means electronics. I worry like mad about all the electronics on mine. Bound to make them less reliable than agricultural mechanical injection systems. And yes, try and use 10 year old second hand heating fuel, probably asking for trouble in anything more sophisitcated than a donking old Lister or Petter. I used to have a two cylinder Petter in a narrow boat, that would probably run on small coal. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

So I do think the things that are being said are unfair, there are thousands out there running with no trouble and a few dozen horror stories. 10 years time who knows, and I may well change my tune if I come back here in the summer with a molten piston in my oily paw. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Re: Eeeek!!!

Perhaps I was a little pessimistic and unfair to use the term dodgy, sorry Geoff.

For every issue you hear about there will be a dozen more keeping quiet.
I know of other issues with the D series,but respect the privacy of the owners.

Also point out for every boat that actually gets used there are 20 just sat in the marina year round not in use that will never develop the fault.

We had an Alpha 1 leg seize up after crossing from Le Harve, it went just passed the Nab and we were under tow by friends within 10 mins.

I had a new leg fitted but SWMBO still forced me to sell the boat.

Any little hick up, even after repair will force many to sell their boats or give up all together.

Volvo are still market leaders and make cracking engines sort after by the majority, I just feel pressure should be put on Volvo Penta to modify the injectors and dodgy dials, even if it means giving away a free set of dials to all owners new and used alike.

I once had a Jabsco loo pump fail, I phoned jabsco to order a new part . I was surprised what they said, there was a design fault 5 years ago, my bog was 4 years old, they sent me the new pump free of charge, they were protecting their good reputation.

The part had lasted 4 years and still they sent me a free one.

I wish you and all D series owners 100% reliability lasting long enough for me to enjoy your boats at an age that I can afford them /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers
Pete
 
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