Volvo MD11C life span

[sailingat45]

we are considering buying a 1979 westerly which still has the original 23hp MD11C volvo engine. We have no idea what the engine hours are or its service history. Can anyone give us an idea/advice on the likely life of this type of engine assuming it has been looked after.

Thanks

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

we are considering buying a 1979 westerly which still has the original 23hp MD11C volvo engine. We have no idea what the engine hours are or its service history. Can anyone give us an idea/advice on the likely life of this type of engine assuming it has been looked after.

Thanks

Service parts are still available, but major parts are becoming difficult to obtain, and if available, astronomically expensive. If the engine starts enthusiastically, there are no knocking sounds, no excessive smoke and the electrics seem OK then with regular servicing there is no reason why it should not last for some years, but if any of the former are doubtful, then beware! Also check the gearbox.

 

[VicS]

They are built like the proverbial brick outhouses

Cooling issues can be a problem due to scaling and corrosion as result of running on seawater cooling ( I reckon one with fresh water cooling would run for ever and back again )

 

[Bilgediver]

Service parts are still available, but major parts are becoming difficult to obtain, and if available, astronomically expensive. If the engine starts enthusiastically, there are no knocking sounds, no excessive smoke and the electrics seem OK then with regular servicing there is no reason why it should not last for some years, but if any of the former are doubtful, then beware! Also check the gearbox.

These engines come with hand start....Easy to see if the engine is very good...good .....or doubtful on comression by checking the cylinders with the decompressers in the run position. If godd then trying to turn against compression there will be a good bounce back and holding weight on the handle for each cylinder will take possibly 20/30 seconds before the engine goes over compression. Both cylinders should be similar. If there is a spongy resistance and the engine goes over compression after say about 5.10 seconds then some leakage some where. If the engine hardy pauses and can be almost wound round continually then you have a fixer upper... This may not be a big deal as most problems are head related but reason to drop the offer price.

As some owners think a first class service comes in an aerosol of green Volvo paint do not be taken in by first appearances

A well serviced MD 11 should see you through a few years but this simple test will help decide.

You can identify if the reason for poor compression is due to rings or valves by squirting some oil into the inlet valves and then repeating the test. If compression is no good and bouncy you have worn rings with excessive gap clearance...Beware any second hand ones offered by Vic .. If the compression is still poor then valves and seats need attention...

If you do not feel able to do this simple test ask a friend or pay a fella!

A new engine could set you back £5000.

Rings valves and gaskets are available and many small engineering shops can fit new valve seats and do a valve job.

 

[maxi]

I converted mine to indirect (fresh water) cooling, the engine thought I had given it Viagra.

The added benefits were the elimination of leaks around the manifolds an the need for regular clearing of waterways and, free hot water. Plusses all around. The engine should go on pretty much forever, the worry being around the clutch lining.

 

[vyv_cox]

You might find this useful. http://coxengineering.co.uk/faults1.aspx

 

[sailingat45]

Thank you all for your advice and comments they are very much appreciated.
It seems that not only are the Westerly range of boats bullet proof but so are the original engines if properly maintained. But iIts a little worrying splashing out on an old boat when a new engine can set you back sooooo much money.
When we get to survey time I shall be armed with the Cox Engineering Engine Faults paper ..... the surveyor will certainly earn his money that day.
Thanks again

 

[KellysEye]

>They are built like the proverbial brick outhouses

They are indeed including the MD17 series. I don't think there is a design life, they will run forever if looked after. Obviously eventually you start burning oil you need new rings and you eventually need to replace the injectors and the fuel lift pump but nothing else I can think of. We have an MD17C.

Modern engines have a design life of 8,00 hours and I once asked Volvo how much they would need to sell a modern engine for built to the same quality of the MDs. Given that a modern Volvo is c.UKP 8,000 they said the MD equivalent quality would be UKP16,000. They went on to say that it wouldn't be competitive so they build to modern prices.

 

[richardsn9]

They always seem to go on forever, and are simple to work on, but check the cooling system very carefully, ideally on a sea trial, and try some sharp turns. They can block up around the gear box passages, and also have problems with the water pump. I would try to knock the current owner down to at least part of the cost of a new engine.

 

[Topcat47]

Some parts are unobtainable. Sadly these seem to be the most vulnerable on the raw water cooled versions. Be aware, though, that this is not insurmountable. I swapped my old Volvo for a 1GM10 because the exhaust manifold was unobtainable and the mountings were stupidly expensive (I had a top-end overhaul kit in my spares locker). I found a fabricator who could have made a manifold from box section after re-engining. If you can spare the time to shop around like that, the engine could go on for ever, as long as you are prepared to pay Volvo's prices for spares.

 

[Tranona]

>
Modern engines have a design life of 8,00 hours and I once asked Volvo how much they would need to sell a modern engine for built to the same quality of the MDs. Given that a modern Volvo is c.UKP 8,000 they said the MD equivalent quality would be UKP16,000. They went on to say that it wouldn't be competitive so they build to modern prices.

Given that most yacht auxiliaries do less than 100 hours a year and die from neglect or lack of use suggests they made the right decision!

 

[pottyYachtie]

I converted mine to indirect (fresh water) cooling, the engine thought I had given it Viagra.

The added benefits were the elimination of leaks around the manifolds an the need for regular clearing of waterways and, free hot water. Plusses all around. The engine should go on pretty much forever, the worry being around the clutch lining.

Any pointers on how to do this conversion, Maxi?