Volvo MD30 what is the base engine block

joha

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 Feb 2008
Messages
264
Location
gosport
Visit site
Hi
I am looking at a boat that has an MD30 fitted 65hp raw water cooled with under 700hrs on the clock which seems low for a 1985 engine, does anyone know what the base engine was and would it help to fit a heat exchanger at this late date, or best to leave alone.
The engine has been serviced as per the manual so I'm told and compresion is good. I just havent come across this engine before.
I would appreciate any views on this

Thanks in advance

J
 
Havent had experience of the MD30 but owned MD31 X 2 in a twin engined boat.I am sure the MD30 and the MD31 are basically the same.The MD31,s I had were very reliable,didnt use any oil but do smoke a bit on start up .they also threw quite a bit of diesel out the exhausts when at tickover,say in a lock.Once above 1500 revs no probs.My friend has an Aquastar with MD30 and it is very reliable..The MD 30 has a heat exchanger built in,are you getting confused over something else?
 
If you Google it you will get the Volvo page with a breakdown of the components. Shows it is freshwater cooled in all the variants listed. Only in production from 83-86. May be a Peugeot base but don't know for sure.
 
Mmh seller says raw water cooled and from the pics I can't see a heat exchanger but will be seeing it at the weekend so will find out for sure, you could well be right about the Peugeot block as I recall a lot of volvo diesels were supplied by Peugeot back then.

Thanks for the info regards reliability etc every bit helps in building a picture.

J
 
Mmh seller says raw water cooled and from the pics I can't see a heat exchanger but will be seeing it at the weekend so will find out for sure, you could well be right about the Peugeot block as I recall a lot of volvo diesels were supplied by Peugeot back then.

Thanks for the info regards reliability etc every bit helps in building a picture.

J
Im pretty sure it was a Peugeot block and they had alloy heads, so hope it isnt raw water cooled!
Stu
 
Just had a word with my friend and the MD30 is a Volvo engine,as I thought, it is also cast iron.It is not Peugeot based.Hope that helps.
 
MD30 was all vp own work although some industrial units D30 were built all the marine versions were fresh water cooled
The early 30 (4 cyl) and 40 (6cyl) heat exchangers suffered from corrosion so may be some one has modified the cooling
As the same unit devolved into the KAMD32 @ twice the output it should be not over stressed
 
When we had some hassle with Volvo units in the late 70s, we found that the engines were made by Indenor. Mostly owned by Peugeot (now totally?) So anything in a Volvo or Ford owes it to them. Looking a bit after, Indenor made all the Pug engines as well as Volvo auto units. Perkins were the source of later varients , MD 22 and the smaller 3 cyln units
A
 
When we had some hassle with Volvo units in the late 70s, we found that the engines were made by Indenor. Mostly owned by Peugeot (now totally?) So anything in a Volvo or Ford owes it to them. Looking a bit after, Indenor made all the Pug engines as well as Volvo auto units. Perkins were the source of later varients , MD 22 and the smaller 3 cyln units
A
If my memory serves me right the 404 Pug engine, (70s) was the base for the MD30, and you post tends to confirm that. The block was cast iron, the head was aluminium. Does it look like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1DDWGm11eo
Stu
 
Last edited:
From the p[ics the engine looks well cared for and very clean, It doesn't look like the one on youtube Skipper Stu, it looks more square and compact with air manifolds going to the top of the engine, yes ally head would not be good! I shall take some pics at the weekend and post.
Joha
 
Go to Volvo penta site look up engine database for leisure engines type in MD30A
Scottie
I dont want to get in to a pissin contest, basically the vast majority of VP base engines are made by other manufacturers. The MD2030 series are perkins, made in japan, the MD22 series are perkins peramas/montego. I always check the volvo spares site to crosss reference, BUT they dont tell you what the base engines are!
Stu
 
Stu, that would be Prima/Montego? Aren't the Peramas the smaller 3 cyl? The ones I refered earlier to were 6cyl 120hp with i/o units. Pretty certain they were iron headed, but it was a long time ago.
A
Knowing your experience that was a typo :<))
 
If my memory serves me right the 404 Pug engine, (70s) was the base for the MD30, and you post tends to confirm that. The block was cast iron, the head was aluminium. Does it look like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1DDWGm11eo
Stu

You may be thinking of the MD21/32 series, which were based on the Indenor (Industrie du Nord Est, later Peugeot) 4 cylinder XDP4.90 (Peugeot 504, Sierra 2.1D, Citroen J7, Mahindra Jeep, Opel Blitz, etc..) and 6 cylinder XDP6.90 bases.
That youtube clip appears to be an XDP4.90.
The XDP4.90 was also marinised by Vetus as the P4.21, by Lehman as the 4D61.
 
The majority of vp engines are own design and build
From the 1950s they used Mercedes for the md4
Peugot for the 19-21 & 29-32

They built a new factory vara for the 40 series engine in the late 70/80s
The md5 was built for them in Norway
The md6 was an albin which developed into the Md7
the 2000 series was the last small engine built by Volvo
The vast majority of engines are 6 cyl in line and over 5 litres up to 16 ltrs all designed and built in house with the addition of some deutz (joint owned)
The current small deisels are a Perkins rebadged
All petrol engines are GM
 
Stu, that would be Prima/Montego? Aren't the Peramas the smaller 3 cyl? The ones I refered earlier to were 6cyl 120hp with i/o units. Pretty certain they were iron headed, but it was a long time ago.
A
Knowing your experience that was a typo :<))
Correct!
Stu
 
The majority of vp engines are own design and build
From the 1950s they used Mercedes for the md4
Peugot for the 19-21 & 29-32

They built a new factory vara for the 40 series engine in the late 70/80s
The md5 was built for them in Norway
The md6 was an albin which developed into the Md7
the 2000 series was the last small engine built by Volvo
The vast majority of engines are 6 cyl in line and over 5 litres up to 16 ltrs all designed and built in house with the addition of some deutz (joint owned)
The current small deisels are a Perkins rebadged
All petrol engines are GM
Stop pissin!
MD20X0 series, MD22 series, previous other series made from the Pug engine, vast majority? and since we are talking about SMALL yacht engines why talk about 6 cyl and 5 litre to 16 liters?
I did say if my memory serves me right and Steve N has come up with the goods!
Stu
 
Having been in the factory and watched a very Nordic young lady torqueing up the timing case with a pneumatic wrench is still a very strong image in my mind please accept that the md30 is an all Volvo engine and not a bought in unit
 
Thanks guys, I shall remember the Nordic young lady with a torque wrench when I look at it on Saturday Scottie! Am beginning to get an idea about them now.

Joha
 
Top