and the dip stick on the side.
Loads around (1983 -1991) and fitted to many boats - loads of people hate them - loads of people are trying to replace them at the first opportunity.
Genuine parts are very expensive but there are plenty of cheaper options available (for the standard parts and service parts at least).
Locally we go to "versatile marine", they also have a web site and ebay shop (no connection just happy customer), or "keypart" (no connection just a happy customer)
The reverse gearbox (MS2B) spline can wear out at an alarming rate, the splines get eaten (that's a technical term) but there is a known fix (kit) which "versatile marine" supplied for us (no connection just a happy customer)
If the splines 'go' you won't be going! If it has an MS2B and not converted with a 'kit' this needs to be checked (in my opinion). Ours probably would have lasted another half season.
My experience of them is loads of vibration and movement especially at low revs, this settles down as revs increase, although it does tend to pivot around the output shaft so this doesn't take the brunt of it.
The lip seal for prop shaft to gearbox did leak a little, made worse by the engine wobble, but having pressed it in a little further it seems to have settled things down, maybe some wear on the prop shaft?
Soft mounting blocks makes alignment almost impossible, align it, give the block a nudge at it's out again.
Injectors can be fiddly to extract and replace, could require special tools as they fit into a sleeve which needs shaping when replaced. It is possible to get away without but you never know. We have been lucky so far.
The instrument electrics can be troublesome and the warning light circuitry are part of a sealed unit (expensive to replace).
The tacho doesn't always respond on engine start, needs a few revs to kick it into life (can be overcome sometimes without expensive replacement parts).
Easy to service, all the 'bits' are at the front apart from the bits around the back
If it starts easily it should be very reliable - we have never had any trouble with ours, starts first time every time.
There is a cold start procedure. Pull stop cable right out and hold it out, engage full throttle (in neutral), push stop cable right in, start the engine and throttle back.
As said, ours starts from very cold in about 3 seconds, once warm it fires up on first turn.
Easy to bleed the fuel (this obviously also depends on the fuel system).
Ours smokes a little, probably a bit of diesel getting through, but nothing to worry about. Doesn't use any oil. (technically it does use oil, for lubrication, but you know what I mean)
It's quite noisy.
Is very economical, about 1.5 litres an hour when cruising (2400 rpm).
Ours was raw water cooled, I've retro fitted fresh water cooling using bits and pieces, not Volvo parts, and it works very well, added a hot water calorifier.
Information about them is fairly easy to come by, manuals etc are all in public domain. Full part schematics available from "MarinePartsEurope" (no connection just a happy viewer)
Because it starts every time we can really rely on our trusty Penta 2002, although, we do tend to curse it somewhat. Mainly because our 'engine room' is micrometres bigger than the engine, having the main service components on the front is a real bonus.
The only thing on the back is the air filter.
All in all it has been a reliable engine for us, one which we can't wait to replace! There is no sense in boating.
Best place for it is over the side (or through the hole!)
Loads of people love them. (love might be too strong a word).
(Not to be compared to the silky smooth 3 cylinder variety)
Good Luck
ashanta;4591725 As all the parts are freely available and it comes with the gearbox/ prop shaft or sail drive I would suggest haggling from £3k to maybe £5k[/QUOTE said:
