Volvo D4-300 problems?

[mcanderson]

Just looked at a boat that has D4-300 engines. The boat is early this decade and has had both engines replaced under warranty a couple of years ago. The boat in question is fitted with the joystick option so I don't know if that could be a factor, but surely it would be more likely to cause issues on the outdrives rather than the engines.

Anyone got any ideas as to issues with the D4-300 engines from the early 2010s?

I don't want to give out too many details on the boat in case someone swoops in.

 

[Whitelighter]

When were they replaced under warranty?
If the boat is 2010 are the engines later, or were they replaced very low hours?

 

[mcanderson]

Not sure abou the hours, but yes to under warranty. The new engines are still covered by a warranty.

 

[Whitelighter]

So rather than 2010 engines surely you are interested in issues concerning 2014/5 engines? Since the VP warranty is 2 years

 

[mcanderson]

True, but also wondering why two engines would be swapped out.

 

[AllanG]

Can't you just ask the current owner, or broker, or whoever carried out the change?

 

[mcanderson]

Yes, and I have. Got an answer, but in broker speak in a language that isn't my first. Rough translation - there was a problem, Volvo swapped both engines.

 

[AllanG]

Oh!! Not much help then, Richard!!

 

[Whitelighter]

I know you are just trying to do due dilligence but Im struggling to see why it matters?
Ok, if both engined had been changed by the owner id suspect maybe a partial sinking or somthing but as they were changed by VP under warranty it cant have anything to do with that - because sinking your donkeys is definitly not a warranty fault.
I think id rather have a boat with 2014 engines than 2010 engines, assuming they were installed correctly by VP (and I assume they were as the warranty is active)

Does it matter what caused the warranty claim? unless you are going to avoid all D4 engined boats, which frnakly is going to restrict your market somewhat

 

[mcanderson]

That's where I basically am. Should I care. I don't think so, but worth asking. I don't want give too much away.

 

[mcanderson]

Sorry for the sporadic answers, cooking, drinking and I have a glass fibre splinter in my thumb which is really getting on my wick!!

 

[ICTM]

My boat was re-engined by the previous owner with D4 300's at the end of 2008, so slightly earlier than the ones you are looking at. Volvopaul did the engine survey for me when I bought the boat and clearly knows these very well. They seem to suffer more with the bits that are bolted on to them - heat exchangers etc which appear to be their weak point. They are very smooth, smoke free and although I have never worked out the exact economy they are quite frugal. One comment that does appear reasonably regularly is the difficulty in re-building them. The one issue I have had turned out to be a loose jubilee clip......Hopefully somebody slightly more technically minded may be along to enlighten you further.

 

[mcanderson]

Thanks.

 

[Whitelighter]

I think as long as they check out on survey I wouldnt be concerned about the fact they were new. id see it as a plus rather than a negative

Good luck, and I fully understand your reasons for being coy

 

[mcanderson]

I thought you might.

 

[[2068]]

I'm not aware of D4-300s failing in large numbers, which leads me to the concern that I do have, which is that if the failure was a one-off "it broke", then fine, and having newer engines is almost always a good thing.

But if the failure was due to a problem with the installation (e.g. water in fuel / poor fuel filtration / water up turbo because riser too short), then I'd want to know that the installation problem had been fixed as well as changing out engines. Otherwise the same thing could happen to you in three years time, which at £20k per side would count as "serious wallet damage".

 

[Whitelighter]

Would Volvo warrant that?
Also i suppose 'warranty' could mean boat manufacturer rather than Volvo

 

[mcanderson]

Might be a moot point. 2nd viewing today. Figures will have to be outstanding for it to work out. A great boat, but my wife didn't come away doing mini fist pumps. Hanging space might be the issue.