volvo dph steering rams

[julians]

Hi all,
Im thinking of buying a boat that has a volvo penta dph drive. Im aware that these drives have had issues with the hydraulic steering rams failing frequently.

Have these problems now been sorted? I know they released a new design of ram,but im not sure it actually permanently cures the problem.

Does anyone have any views on the latest situation with these rams.

Cheers

 

[rafiki_]

The basic problem is that the rams are under water, and originally they were supplied without sleeves, so when moored, crud or crustations adhered to the ram, which then scored the seals when the steering was used. The fix was to supply a rubber sleeve for the ram. However this has to vent to allow it to concertina, so crud can still get at the ram. Best fix is to move the rams inboard. Clearly this is not possible for current boats, and requires a major redesign.

 

[volvopaul]

Volvo are on third generation design now, first one had alloy end cap and no gator so end cap worked as an anode!!

Second one had gator fitted with brass type end cap, still leaked.

Third one seems ok as a new one was designed for joystick control.

They have come down in price so budget for rams when looking at boats.

With dph it stil doesn't end there, but that's life!!

 

[z1ppy]

We allowed for rams to be pretty much consumable items at the service each year. There is a company in the midlands that will re-furb them and supposed to be better spec than new.

 

[Ian h]

We allowed for rams to be pretty much consumable items at the service each year. There is a company in the midlands that will re-furb them and supposed to be better spec than new.

Is that Unwin Hydraulics by any chance ?

 

[z1ppy]

aye. i think Seapower in Hamble were trying to set up an exchange programme with them. dont know if they managed it.

 

[julians]

We allowed for rams to be pretty much consumable items at the service each year. There is a company in the midlands that will re-furb them and supposed to be better spec than new.

Thanks all for the answers. Does that mean that they are still a problem even if replaced with the very latest spec rams, and do I take it that I should budget to replace these rams frequently?

I had heard that volvo had reduced the price on the rams significantly, but still I could do without replacing them every year.

I am wondering whether I should avoid this outdrive completely, but then that seriously restricts the boats I can buy. I'm aware that no outdrive is cheap to service ( I currently own a boat with a merc alpha 1 drive) , but this just seems like asking for trouble.

 

[volvopaul]

Thanks all for the answers. Does that mean that they are still a problem even if replaced with the very latest spec rams, and do I take it that I should budget to replace these rams frequently?

I had heard that volvo had reduced the price on the rams significantly, but still I could do without replacing them every year.

I am wondering whether I should avoid this outdrive completely, but then that seriously restricts the boats I can buy. I'm aware that no outdrive is cheap to service ( I currently own a boat with a merc alpha 1 drive) , but this just seems like asking for trouble.

I would not be put off by the dph an d you won't need new rams every year, to be honest all the rams I've fitted over the last say three years I've not yet had to replace one.

 

[julians]

I would not be put off by the dph an d you won't need new rams every year, to be honest all the rams I've fitted over the last say three years I've not yet had to replace one.

Thanks, thatsmore reassuring.

Are there any known issues with the D4-260 engine/anciliaries?

Looking at windy 25 with this engine/drive combo.

 

[Geoffs]

Thanks, thatsmore reassuring.

Are there any known issues with the D4-260 engine/anciliaries?

Looking at windy 25 with this engine/drive combo.

I have a D4-260/DPH wiTh 900hrs on clock, and all has been quite good. Had hydraulic hoses replaced, but that's to be expected. Mine is dry berthed, so never had any steering g ram issues, so far!

Currently have an issue with gear shift actuator, keeps generating errors and causing engine to shut down. Can't seem to get a definitive answer as to whether it should be replaced. Quite big money!

 

[Bertramdriver]

Thanks for reminding me why I hate volvos

 

[GrahamHR]

Volvo are on third generation design now, first one had alloy end cap and no gator so end cap worked as an anode!!

Second one had gator fitted with brass type end cap, still leaked.

Third one seems ok as a new one was designed for joystick control.

They have come down in price so budget for rams when looking at boats.

With dph it stil doesn't end there, but that's life!!

Around what sort of date did the later (latest) type of ram start to be factory fitted ? Is there any externally visual way of telling the difference between a gen 1 that has had the gaitor retrofitted, a gen 2 and the gen 3 ?

 

[aquatom]

Where is the boat to be kept? In the med we are still changing them most years.

We used to reseal them but with the new reduced price it's worth just fitting new.

 

[julians]

Where is the boat to be kept? In the med we are still changing them most years.

We used to reseal them but with the new reduced price it's worth just fitting new.

It will be in Mallorca.

How much exactly is it to fit new rams to a single engined boat?

Can you reduce the replacement cost by leaving the drive turned fully in the same direction each time you leave it , so that at least only one ram is exposed and needs replacement?

What a stupid situation this is - if they really havent got a proper solution by now, volvo should be ashamed.

 

[volvopaul]

It will be in Mallorca.

How much exactly is it to fit new rams to a single engined boat?

Can you reduce the replacement cost by leaving the drive turned fully in the same direction each time you leave it , so that at least only one ram is exposed and needs replacement?

What a stupid situation this is - if they really havent got a proper solution by now, volvo should be ashamed.

They seem to have solved it for now, I think by changing supplier for the rams, I'd say the med warmer water is to blame for ram failures. The change from dpe to dph was required to take the torque and higher hp of the d range engines, the old drive would not handle the new engine. The old design steering helmet wears out bushes and pins, it would not have suited the new drive in my view. The new rams should really be made from a good marine grade stainless built to last and a fit once in a lifetime.

 

[beejay190]

I have been following this forum for a few years now and have read about problems with D3s, D4s and D6s, and am coming to the conclusion
the older KAD series engines are a safer bet.

 

[GrahamHR]

Around what sort of date did the later (latest) type of ram start to be factory fitted ? Is there any externally visual way of telling the difference between a gen 1 that has had the gaitor retrofitted, a gen 2 and the gen 3 ?

So, does no-one know from which serial number (or even vaguely from which date) the latest type of ram started to be fitted?

 

[Divemaster1]

Thanks for reminding me why I hate volvos

BD ... you don't really want to know what generation your DD 71's are do you ??