Volvo Engines - avoid or not?

[Turnbuckle]

I am looking for a Westerly - Berwick would be ideal, but similar is good - but have been told to avoid Volvo engines. Not sure why, but I've been avoiding some good sounding boats because they have Volvo engines. Am I correct? Or is this just hearsay?

 

[jordanbasset]

You sometimes here that, for myself never had a problem with Volvo engines

 

[Bobc]

I'm not a big fan, however I wouldn't walk away from a good boat just because it had a VP engine.

The biggest gripes with them are usually about the cost of parts, but there are a few VP engine models which suffer with corrosion and/or electrical issues.

I had a VP engine in my boat, but when I came to re-power it last year, I chose a Beta, which is a far better engine in my opinion.

 

[pvb]

Volvo Penta engines are fine. People moan about parts prices, but in reality just about all marine engine parts prices are high - this reflects low volumes and the cost of maintaining parts availability for many years. However, parts aren't available for ever, so if you're looking at a 30 year old engine you should be aware that parts might be a problem. Many Westerly boats have been re-engined, and this might give you more reassurance on parts availability in the future.

 

[RichardS]

I believe that, generally, small Yanmar engines are preferred to small VP engines, referring to 30bhp and below, but , as said above, if it is the right boat and the engine is in good condition then I wouldn't worry about it.

Richard

 

[ghostlymoron]

There are hundreds or thousands of VP engines clunking away in British and foreign boats quite happily. Parts are expensive but so are Yanmar, Bukh and other makes. Marine engines that are based on industrial units tend to have cheaper parts and readily available.
Some later VP engines are basically re badged units of other manufacturers so if you use parts from the base engine and not painted green can be reasonably priced.
My only direct experience of VP is a venerable single cylinder MD 1 which was still happily clonking away despite being 40 years old.
I wouldn't be put off by a VP engine provided you run it before purchasing and listen for strange noises and smokey exhaust.

 

[Stemar]

The VP 2001, 2, & 3 have a reputation for being difficult to start, but that's because of their slightly odd cold starting procedure and an issue with the gearbox shaft which will have been fixed by now. Once you know it, they're no better or worse than any other engine of the period. A good one certainly wouldn't frighten me off. You'll always find someone who's had a bad experience with anything and proclaims it to the wold

Any Berwick with its original engine must be coming up to replacement time, and parts are likely to be difficult to find, making a refurb expensive or impracticable, but factor this into your offer and that old thumper could go on thumping for years.

 

[watercraft]

My MD22L Penta (Perkins relabeled) is 25 years old and never needed any major work apart from the expected alternator, starter motor and servicing. I needed a new VP logic warning light system (alternator, water oil) that was expensive for what it was. Although a lot of parts can be obtained from Perkins dealers/car specialists at a fraction of VP cost. I've just been to the boat where she's been sat there for 3 months & started 1st time. Don't be put off unless there's lots of smoke and knocking noises.

 

[MoodySabre]

My VP2003 is 32 years old and started immediately yesterday. First time started since January. A bit noisier than a brand new Beta etc but provided it has been serviced regularly then it's not a deal breaker IMO.

 

[john_morris_uk]

All the above. And for people who say VP prices are expensive, they obviously haven’t bought Yanmar engine parts recently.
(We have a Volvo 2040 in our current boat. ) It starts first time every time.

 

[Robin]

the very old volvos were a nightmare, the 2000 series were either good or very bad, later ones were rebadged perkins and pretty decent, we had a MD22L, a rebadged perkins prima 50hp fitted to our then W33 that was brilliant apart from using oil on very long motoring runs. IIRC The 2000 series had gearbox spline issues most of those still surviving would maybe have been fixed.

 

[scottie]

Volvo suffered from a parts pricing policy of allowing older engine part prices to rise in line with inflation rather than their perceived value which caused a lot of older but repairable engines to be scrapped causing justifiable resistance to replacing with same brand again.

 

[scottie]

the very old volvos were a nightmare, the 2000 series were either good or very bad, later ones were rebadged perkins and pretty decent, we had a MD22L, a rebadged perkins prima 50hp fitted to our then W33 that was brilliant apart from using oil on very long motoring runs. IIRC The 2000 series had gearbox spline issues most of those still surviving would maybe have been fixed.

2000 series are only OLD not VERY OLD but by your own definition there is still an awful lot lot of old engines still running to be that bad how many cars of that era are still on the road?

 

[duncan99210]

Just to add that our now 20 year old MD2030 is still going strong, starts on the button and hasn’t caused any problems beyond the usual wear and tear items. It’s done 4500+ hours, doesn’t burn oil and is easy to work on. I’d be much more concerned with the state of the engine (appearance, some evidence of maintenance, does it start easily from cold) rather than the make.

 

[38mess]

My Perkins perama is identical to the Volvo 2030, starts first time without smoke and runs all day without hitch. Parts are relatively cheap as I believe the lump was also used in mini diggers. Parts for the Volvo are expensive.

 

[Slowtack]

I had a VP2003 engine that was reliable. The only problem was the excessive price of parts, and it became to expensive to maintain.
I now have a 2017 VP D1-30 that is on its THIRD control box in about about 200 hours of use. Mechanically its fine, the problem lies in the unreliability of the electronics. The local VP dealer has been very good about replacement under warranty. In the event the engine fails to start at sea the only remedy is to short the starter motor. This problem is a general one and well covered in sailing websites.

 

[Graham376]

The standard fit on the Berwick was the raw water cooled 23hp MD11C , which will by now most likely be about time expired. Although easy to work on, engine and gearbox parts are expensive and I would be looking for one which has been re-engined (preferably with a Beta) or, cheap enough to allow for a new engine and gearbox.

 

[Robin]

2000 series are only OLD not VERY OLD but by your own definition there is still an awful lot lot of old engines still running to be that bad how many cars of that era are still on the road?

By very old I meant like MD, MD1B,, not 2000 series, My friends with 2000 series often had starting problems from cold yet others did not. Gearbox spline issues were well publicised and a repair/upgrade kit issued so many will have had this fix. Y ou could tell the Volvo engined ones by the grey/black stripe across transoms. I bought a green MD22L rather than the blue perkins prima because Volvo gave a 5 yr warranty ( albeit only if serviced by a main dealer.) and perkins would not warrant cover the alternator if we used a 'smart' regulator like an Adverc which we did. the MD22L we had would use no oil over multiple short runs, ie normal use in/out of harbour but when run continuously for say 24 hrs would take quite a bit to top up, no smoke though. IIRC the MD22 turbo verion had an oil cooler as standard which maybe is a clue why.

However if I were looking now and a good boat had a 2001/2002 I would check it out and not be put off per se. Personally would not like one with the 43hp 2003/T as the turbo is another concern.

 

[johnalison]

My 2002 on an older boat had a problem and had to be replaced, but this is very uncommon. The fresh-water cooled replacement was much better than the its raw-water predecessor. the 200X series was famously easy to service.

 

[Sailfree]

I bought a new dufour 36 in 1999 and volvo folding propeller twice failed. In the end they refunded my money with difficulty.

I bought new dufour 38 in 2001 and engine failed by seizing after only 13months. Volvo refused cost of repair. At that time Volvo agent had 3 seized volvo engines in for repair. Next the clutch went. Next the drive shaft bearings went necessitating new bearings and shaft. All from new in first 3yrs.

Sold boat in 2005 and major selection criteria for new boat is must have Yanmar engine. Bought a Jeanneau fitted with Yanmar engine. No problems in some 4000hrs and 15yrs

New buyer of Dufour then had saildrive leg shear off outside Cherbourg. Towed back to UK thinking gearbox problem and no drive and on checking oil level by removing dip stick sea water shot up! It was only then they discovered saildrive leg sheared off. I suspect the saildrive bearing seized and prop momentum cause it to shear. Not to anyones surprise the owner replace complete unit with a Yamar saildrive unit.

While my experience may be unique what I did not like is Volvos attitude of trying to avoid any responsibility and difficulty of getting them to honour guarantees - I dont think that is unique!