Volvo D3's

[jettdt]

I am starting to think about upgrading my boat for something a bit bigger and more suitable to the UK weather.

I have looked at some SC29's and these seem a good compromise with two small kids, one thing that has been putting me off is I am aware of a couple of people having problems with the D3 engines and EDC.

I wondered what the general views were of these engines and have the problems with them been ironed out?

Thanks

 

[BartW]

hi,

last year we did 140 hrs,
and this season 145 hrs until today
with my twin D3-190's
without any major problem.

I guess that there are quite a few D3's around,
so I don't believe that VP can afford any continuing problem with this model.

just one advice,
I have slightly overpowered my boat (2 x 190 HP in a 2.8 Ton , 26ft Hull)
and this really is great fun to drive !

 

[BlueJasper]

4 years and 400 hours and apart from 2 injectors all has been fine. Efficient, quiet and for me reliable. I have had more trouble with the cables to them not being clipped up. I spoke to a Volvo engineer 2 weeks ago and I asked him if they were any good, he said after Volvo ironed out the early problems they are generally O.K.

 

[jettdt]

Thanks for those replies, that puts my mind at rest a bit, do either of you have EDC? If so what are the advantages/pit falls.

Thanks

 

[Geoffs]

I have a D4 with EVC, similar sort of electronic control. It always worries me saying this, but after 560hrs no problems at all.

I have to say EVC is a bit of a worry. There was a case in Weymouth a while back where an EVC equipped boat stuck in foreward gear and the engine went to full power. Huge amounts of damage done. As I say, a bit of aworry.

 

[BartW]

Thanks for those replies, that puts my mind at rest a bit, do either of you have EDC? If so what are the advantages/pit falls.

Thanks

as far as I know, all D3's are delivered with EVC.
Basically it is a computer controlled engine monitoring system, so for the gauches, the controll display's and warning lights.
we didn't have any problem with it so far,
and as far as I undertstand, a lot can go wrong with the EVC before the engine stops working

the throttle controll on a D3 is purely mechanical, so nothing to do with the EVC,
this is different on a D4.

 

[durnfjm]

I have a D3-110 : 3 years, 300odd hours, no problem at all with the engine - once I can get it to start. I use the boat in the winter, and the cold start performance is dreadful. 2 different Volvo techs have spent lots of time trying to solve the issue (under warentee), and slightly improved it, but it still takes up to 7 or 8 minutes to start when it's really cold. (No heater plugs). Last comment I had from Volvo's technical was - "this engine is normally installed in a heated engine room, and cold starting is not a problem" - not very helpful to me when I want to go fishing on a bright and frosty February morning!

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has had cold-start problems with this engine

MikeD

 

[me2]

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has had cold-start problems with this engine

MikeD

I had the same engine as you it was a total nightmare . It just would not start like yours , I had over 40 visits from Volvo , in the end they told me it was fine then I told them I was rejecting the boat , gave them a time limit , they could not sort it so I did reject it after almost 12 months. I now have a Yanmar and I am very happy with it.

 

[durnfjm]

Well done you!!!

But otherwise I am well happy with the boat. and actually the engine has never failed, just a pain, so I don't really want to reject, just solve the problem. There must be a solution - does anyone have it?

MikeD

 

[me2]

I was happy with the first boat, they gave me a new boat the same as the other one just with the Yanmar in it.
Does it start then stop, start then stop all the time until it runs right ?

 

[durnfjm]

no, once mine starts, it behaves perfectly. And above about 10 or 12 degC ambient, it starts reliably within 15 or 20 secs. It's only below 7 or 8 C ambient that it becomes a real problem.

MikeD

 

[wattsn]

no, once mine starts, it behaves perfectly. And above about 10 or 12 degC ambient, it starts reliably within 15 or 20 secs. It's only below 7 or 8 C ambient that it becomes a real problem.

MikeD

Hmm. Install tube heaters in the engine bay, on thermostatic timers?

 

[U4]

I am starting to think about upgrading my boat for something a bit bigger and more suitable to the UK weather.

I have looked at some SC29's and these seem a good compromise with two small kids, one thing that has been putting me off is I am aware of a couple of people having problems with the D3 engines and EDC.

I wondered what the general views were of these engines and have the problems with them been ironed out?

Thanks

Last Christmas I upgraded from a 22ft Searay cuddy to a 2007 Sealine SC29 with D3 190's and EVC and have to say I love it!!

Obviously I haven’t had it all that long however I have used it an awful lot since I took ownership and haven’t had any problems other than a cracked ignition barrel (which I replaced myself in about 10 mins).

I have two small children and the roof design of the SC29 and the security it offers is truly brilliant....!

 

[jettdt]

Last Christmas I upgraded from a 22ft Searay cuddy to a 2007 Sealine SC29 with D3 190's and EVC and have to say I love it!!

Obviously I haven’t had it all that long however I have used it an awful lot since I took ownership and haven’t had any problems other than a cracked ignition barrel (which I replaced myself in about 10 mins).

I have two small children and the roof design of the SC29 and the security it offers is truly brilliant....!

I must say with two fearless kids of three and seven it is the cockpit design that I particularly like the look of, it has nice high sides and feels almost enclosed without totally losing the open feel.

 

[ari]

I have a D3-110 : 3 years, 300odd hours, no problem at all with the engine - once I can get it to start. I use the boat in the winter, and the cold start performance is dreadful. 2 different Volvo techs have spent lots of time trying to solve the issue (under warentee), and slightly improved it, but it still takes up to 7 or 8 minutes to start when it's really cold. (No heater plugs). Last comment I had from Volvo's technical was - "this engine is normally installed in a heated engine room, and cold starting is not a problem" - not very helpful to me when I want to go fishing on a bright and frosty February morning!

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has had cold-start problems with this engine

MikeD

HAHAHA!!! You gotta love the marine industry!

Imagine having a car that won't start in winter and being told "well people normally park them in heated garages".

How many boats have "heated engine-rooms" anyway? I know a lot slip a bar heater in there in the winter but I cannot believe that would have any effect on engine internal temperatures.