Volvo engines KAD32 vs. D3-160

Getting at the turbo exhaust down-pipe is supposed to be an inspection at service - can you get at it? I'd agree that the the seals around the turbo look the worst for wear or have already been taken apart and not cleaned and sealed properly afterwards.
Also, can you get at the starter motor? Under the heat exchanger, port side. It will certainly need attention if it has ever been swamped.
 
Thanks all, for the good pointers and advice
I just received these pics myself today and didnt realize how tight it was until I saw these :( there also seems to be a fair but of rust and neglect on the covers and engine so I will certainly ask for maintainance records etc

will keep everyone updated

btw , a D3-160 in the same engine bay looks like this

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That kind of swings the argument the other way, D3 obviously fits the boat although still not brilliant access. I'd look for one with D3-190 or another boat.
 
At least you can work around the D3. Even removing the air filter on that KAD32 installation looks difficult.

The other issue on a small, high performance boat is weight. KAD32 weighs something like 500kg. D3 with a duoprop is 330kg, slightly less again for an SX drive. Depending on the boat, this can be a plus or minus point.

dv.
 
I know two people who D3's in their boats and both have had fairly big problems with them. Of course all the others may be ok but I doubt it.
 
gimmesunshine said:
although i am fan of kad32 over d3
the access is very poor, so despite it having more electronics to go wrong the access would easily sway me to d3
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Based on the comments on this post, and my own happy experience of twin KAD 32s it would sway me towards a different boat with a KAD32
 
Little while back I was reviewing a few boat options with a broker I know quite well, one was immediately dismissed by him with the words "Ohh D3's, best give that one a miss; not Volvo's best effort!" When I queried this he went on to say they can be troublesome lumps and are less reliable than KADs. Only one person's opinion of course.....

FWIW the KAD32 in my previous boat was excellent, though I didn't like the whine of the compressor at low speeds, and neither did guests. We often ended up going slower than we could have to avoid it cutting in. If course better soundproofing would have helped in this regard.
 
lot of negative comments on here that I don't fully agree,

the Kad looks quite good for a 7 year old engine,
having seen working such a engine in a professional boat, I know it is a very relaible lump,
with this little usage 300hr, could be a very good deal,
everything looks quite clean for the age. and not "worked on", so it didn't have any special service / repairs

the only questions to me would be; how about the condition of the drive ?
and
is the ballance Weight versus HP OK,
I think this combination is not very fast.
the service sensitive parts such as oil and air filter, impellor, ARE accesable.
how much more service does a traditional diesel engine normally need ???

the D3's much has been written on here about them,
can only say that I am Very happy with them
very good power to weight factor. (the 190HP would have been better ;))

poor argument to refuse this boat because engine acces is not that good,
this is a Very good and Very nice boat,
and a rare diesel driven vezel in this boat size,
if it had the mercruiser diesel engine option I wouldn't even look at it.

all IMHO
and ofcause subjective as I am a happy owner of a Karnic / VP combination :)
 
I am glad I didnt ask to compare Merc/Cummings vs. VP D3/KAD :p that would have started the Mfg bashing propperly !

I have just booked 2 tickets to SoF / Nice for a long weekend with the missus 18-21 sept cruising the coast (with a car :confused: ) , and we'll be looking at both boats , taking our time inspecting them , taking them out for test runs. As I have never owned a boat with a KAD engine before I dont know what to expect from the compressor "whine" but will certainly be on the alert for that as I spend as much time going slow <10kts as fast (most of the netherlands inland waters are <10Kts only, Amsterdam is even < 4Kts! )

after that we'll go out for dinner(s) and drink(s) and when I get back home list all pro's and con's for each boat and decide if and how much to offer for each

At least there's no definate "no, dont buy that one because the engine will blow up each time while you're 30 miles at sea" for either engine and I assume that with proper normal maintenance both will perform for another few years doing 150-200 hours a year
 
Well, in defence of the D3 again I have to say that in 400 hours now, apart from a couple of injectors, my D3s have been great. Quiet, efficient and reliable. I spoke to a Volvo engineer in the summer and he agreed, after their initial teething problems they have now settled down and are no worse than any other engine. You have to question that if they were that bad, would so many boats have them fitted?

I should also add that my engine bay is nice and dry and clean!
 
BlueJasper said:
Well, in defence of the D3 again I have to say that in 400 hours now, apart from a couple of injectors, my D3s have been great. Quiet, efficient and reliable. I spoke to a Volvo engineer in the summer and he agreed, after their initial teething problems they have now settled down and are no worse than any other engine. You have to question that if they were that bad, would so many boats have them fitted?

I should also add that my engine bay is nice and dry and clean!
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at least two members in the happy D3 owners Club :D :D :D
 
My now 4 1/2 year old D3-160's have been a complete pain in the arris since i got the boat. The most annoying thing was the lies from Volvo and some of their agents....."Oh! Overheating on that engine? Thats caused by the calorifier :eek:

Newer versions may be better but I wouldnt like to comment.
 
novanta said:
And? Did you buy the boat with the Kad 32???
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I did put a bid on the boat with the KAD32 last tuesday, 3 days after seeing the boat in person, but I have not yet had a response back. I will contact the agent on monday asking for a response (any response) letting him know I do expect a response soon (positive, negative or counteroffer) else I will persue the other boat (with D3-160) in the same area whose owner is out of the country till 2-Oct

will keep you posted :)
 
Glad to see you went with the better choice.

We have done 300 hours with our KAD32 this year and it has never let us down (reaches around to look for some wood to touch) . Change the oil and filters at 100 hour intervals, seems to keep it happy and off you go. Ours is a little easier to get at though with more room in the engine bay (squeezed into the bay of a Sealine S23) so servicing isnt too bad and the impellor housing is situated so changing the impellor is a 5 minute job.

You wont regret your choice. Just make sure it has a full service if you dont know its history.
 
a full service is definitely one of the points of the negotiations , the current owner suggested that he would have one done in France before handover.

I just called the agent and he is in the process of translating (from English to French) my assessment and offer to give to the current owner

to be continued....
 
Rene,

have you been able to do a sea trial with the boats for sale ?
just out of interest,
what kind of speed could you cruise ?
 
Hi Bart

top we had during trail was 26-28 Kts (with the KAD32) in a bit of a rough sea surface (but comparable to "normal" northsea conditions @ 4 - 5 Bft :)

I normally cruise just below 20Kts and that was a perfect ride, but it went up to 24Kts during cruise very easily
 
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