Volvo Penta 18 hp

[MJWB]

I'm going to look at a boat in a few days which looks promising. However I'm mindful that the engine is the original (I understand). Volvo Penta 18 hp. Boat is 30 years old so engine the same. Initial enquiries indicate it has been very well maintained by the current owner but prior to that I don't know. No idea on total hours. Can anyone please give me some pointers on these engines, good or bad, things to look out for, reasonable expectation on service life, spares and consumables availability, the full lot.
It's not a pricey boat so engine condition is key.
Many thanks.

 

[peteK]

You will need the model number as they had more than one Volvo penta 18 hp.

 

[springer]

Assuming date of build around 1990 then engine can be either, VP 2002 / MS2B package, Volvo Penta in house designed and built yacht engine, loved or despised by many. 2 Cylinder direct injection engine.

Or VP MD2020/MS2B or MS10, Perkins assembled predecessor to the current VP range. 3 Cylinder indirect Injection, always fresh water cooled from factory.;

The 2002 was mostly supplied as raw water cooled, (seawater), although fresh water cooling was an option and sold as an accessory.
All of the MD2020 are fresh water cooled.

Therefore identification should be fairly easy.

Hope this helps
Springer

 

[scottie]

On the 2002 the oil filter is on the front of the engine

 

[Stemar]

If it's the 2002, they're a decent engine. Use the correct starting procedure, feed them clean fuel, oil and water and they'll go on for years. Expect smoke on starting from cold, clearing as it warms up. I've got its big brother and, in many ways, I'd rather have it than a common rail system loaded with electronics. However, it's an old engine and some parts are getting difficult to find. It wouldn't put me off an otherwise suitable boat, but I'd be thinking ahead to a possible replacement as major repairs are likely to be uneconomic, the same as for any engine of that age.

 

[MJWB]

You will need the model number as they had more than one Volvo penta 18 hp.

Thanks

 

[pvb]

If the engine has been well cared for, and is running well, it could last for many more years. However, at 30 years old, parts availability is starting to get tricky, depending which parts are needed. For instance, the tube stack for the 2002 heat exchanger isn't available, although you can buy a complete heat exchanger for £1240.

 

[MJWB]

Th

Assuming date of build around 1990 then engine can be either, VP 2002 / MS2B package, Volvo Penta in house designed and built yacht engine, loved or despised by many. 2 Cylinder direct injection engine.

Or VP MD2020/MS2B or MS10, Perkins assembled predecessor to the current VP range. 3 Cylinder indirect Injection, always fresh water cooled from factory.;

The 2002 was mostly supplied as raw water cooled, (seawater), although fresh water cooling was an option and sold as an accessory.
All of the MD2020 are fresh water cooled.

Therefore identification should be fairly easy.

Hope this helps
Springer

Thanks. It's direct seawater cooled so that should be the one. I know the seller has paperwork.
Do you know of issues with this model?
Wondering about damage due to seawater cooling over the years?
Also likely service life?

 

[MJWB]

On the 2002 the oil filter is on the front of the engine

Thanks. The pictures confirm by the looks. Thanks.

 

[MJWB]

If the engine has been well cared for, and is running well, it could last for many more years. However, at 30 years old, parts availability is starting to get tricky, depending which parts are needed. For instance, the tube stack for the 2002 heat exchanger isn't available, although you can buy a complete heat exchanger for £1240.

Thanks

 

[MJWB]

If it's the 2002, they're a decent engine. Use the correct starting procedure, feed them clean fuel, oil and water and they'll go on for years. Expect smoke on starting from cold, clearing as it warms up. I've got its big brother and, in many ways, I'd rather have it than a common rail system loaded with electronics. However, it's an old engine and some parts are getting difficult to find. It wouldn't put me off an otherwise suitable boat, but I'd be thinking ahead to a possible replacement as major repairs are likely to be uneconomic, the same as for any engine of that age.

Thanks

 

[Tamar]

I had the 2002 on an old boat, if I remember correctly it was a lovely running engine, nice and quiet. A bit difficult to start first time on a cold morning even with the correct starting procedure.
As long as it's been serviced regularly and you can run it at high revs for at least 30 minutes with no probs I wouldn't worry.
But as others have already said it's an old engine and as such spares are getting rare, they were always expensive if I remember.

 

[johnalison]

I had a 2002 in my Sadler 29 from 1987. It was fine until the head gasket failed after four years. The economic way forward was an engine replacement, with about £600 in exchange for the old parts. The new engine was fresh-water cooled and although the same engine it was much nicer. It ran more smoothly at the higher temperature, and winter servicing was simpler.

As stated, service parts are on the front of the engine, making things very easy. My original engine could be hand started, which I occasionally did for practice, but I think the replacement didn't have this feature.

 

[scottie]

I had a 2002 in my Sadler 29 from 1987. It was fine until the head gasket failed after four years. The economic way forward was an engine replacement, with about £600 in exchange for the old parts. The new engine was fresh-water cooled and although the same engine it was much nicer. It ran more smoothly at the higher temperature, and winter servicing was simpler.

As stated, service parts are on the front of the engine, making things very easy. My original engine could be hand started, which I occasionally did for practice, but I think the replacement didn't have this feature.

The camshaft had a hole in it to which a pin could be inserted and a handle used to turn the engine but you were as likely to break the end off the camshaft as start it !

 

[johnalison]

The camshaft had a hole in it to which a pin could be inserted and a handle used to turn the engine but you were as likely to break the end off the camshaft as start it !

It's a long time ago, but I had thought that the starting handle fitted where you would expect it to, fairly low down where I would think the flywheel was. I had no difficulty turning it with the decompression lever in use, but it was, as I say, a long time ago.

 

[scottie]

Volvo never actually called it a starting handle!
if you wanted hand starting you bought a SOLAS version

 

[agroundagain]

On my second 2002.

I bought a 23 year old Westerley 7 years ago with a raw water cooled version. Starting was never good but in the first year of ownership I got used to it. Then the compression began to drop off quite rapidly to the point that I was always nervous starting her when cold and then when warm.
Replaced the unit with a fresh water cooled version, reconditioned, 3 years back and it's been great. Boat stays in the water over winter and I pop down every so often to start her and run until warm. Never a problem. Simple and easy to work on. Quite noisy compared to a more modern engine.

 

[Spuddy]

Theres a 2002 in my boat from 1989. Had a top end overhaul done when I bought boat but still reluctant to start when cold. I use correct starting procedure but also stick an electric fan heater down there if got shore power.
It began to overheat but does of brick cleaner in the block fixed that

 

[vic008]

Mine is the 3cyl of about same vintage. Parts4engines are a good source for parts.
The ex elbow clogs up then you buy a SS one.
The gearbox can fail due to splines wearing. Think the starter motor wears out. Same the fuel pump.Be sure to use correct start procedure.

 

[MJWB]

Thanks everyone