Volvo MD7 A 14h.p.

[ghilliedhu]

I am considering buying a yacht powered by a 1979 Volvo MDA 7 The engine was rebuilt about 10 years ago and has been regularly serviced and winterised.
Is there anything in particular that I should be aware of about these engines. Any advice welcome.
Thanks David

 

[jonayuen]

Hi David,

We have one in our Hallberg Mistress. The alternator is rather small (35 amps) but seems to be enough for us, but we have almost no electrical devices running when we sail during the day. You can download a manual and the smaller two-page descriptions at Volvo's site:

http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/global/en-gb/marineengines/older_engines_1/

Parts are still (somewhat) available here but are not cheap (but what is?). I spoke to a Volvo rep at a boat show and he said that they don't generally stock parts after 20 years.

We're contemplating changing the engine -- I bargained off the price of a replacement 2 years ago when we bought the boat but the engine is still running.

Jonathan

 

[stevebirch2002]

Good solid engine. Spare are available at an awful price and works out cheaper to buy a new engine that rebuilding the MD7A completely. The Series III Vegas all had teh MD7A and prior they had teh MD6A (Same engine but less capacity in the bore). They go on forever if well looked after but beware the price of spares!!

 

[capt_courageous]

Hi
As said Volvo parts are very expensive but equivalent oil/fuel filters are easy and cheap to get from motor factors. Check the part where the cooling water in put into the exhaust system for rust. That said they are solid as the proverbial brick built toilet block.

 

[VicS]

The cooling system becomes a pain if it is running on salt water. See the current thread on the md2b and similar questions that I seem to answer on an annual basis.

 

[AvanLoon]

Hi,
if your' interested I can mail you the MD7 workshop manual (English), which isn't set available on the Volvo site. Just send me an Email with the subject Volvo MD7A
Regards.