Volvo Penta AD41B

[iain]

I am considering buying a 26' Fastworker with the above 200hp engine fitted. The engine is 11 years old and has a fair bit of surface rust but is apparently a good runner. (boat is currently out the water and owner turns it over for 15 minutes once a month). What is the forums opinion of this particular model of Volvo being the age it is, ie are they reliable? expensive for parts etc etc. Any opinions appreciated.
Iain

 

[ChrisP]

Engine run for 15 mins out of the water!!!!!!!!!!
Your first problem will be the impeller in the water pump will be buggered and there may be bits of it in the coolant system just waiting to block up coolers etc. the first time the engine is run in the water. Result much cost, ruined day out & lack of interest from family having been towed in.

All volvo parts range from the expensive to the bloody crazy price range.

You dont say the model type of the engine. Some of the approx 200HP volvo's had all sorts of tricks up there sleeves. Like shifting cylinder sleeves, dropping valves etc. etc. the chaps here will be able to provide all the horror stories and some of the remadies.

Best advice. Have a bloody good surveyor who spealises in engine surveys go over it and if he pronounces it ok be perpared for a lifetime of moaning about the engine and the running costs.

Good luck

ChrisP

PS. You guessed it I wouldn't go near a volvo with a long pole.

 

[rlw]

I have 2 AQAD41A's which is the same base engine but older.
Onto my second season now. Yes, volvo is expensive in parts but you can find dealers everywhere. My mechanic tells me that if the drives recieve regular maintenance they generally do not go wrong. Also resale value seems to be higher with volvo engines in a boat.

I keep the cost down by performing basic maintenance my self and getting the pro's in for the drive and more complicated engine stuff.

If you do decide to go volvo, check out www.boatdiesel.com and go to the volvo forum. The 41 series has hundreds of postings.

Rob

 

[iain]

Thanks for the input guys, as usual the forum comes up trumps again
Cheers

 

[Guest]

Hi Iain

Whilst I agree with the comments about running the engine for 15 minutes a month, I just hope he arranges a hose to supply raw water when he does this, I do not agree on the damnation of Volvo engines.

I have owned numerous powerboats with Volvo diesels ranging from 31s to 610 HP 122ps, and my experience is of total reliability. I have ALLWAYS serviced the engines regularly, wither myself or through Volvo or Independent experts.

My advice is thus :

If you have Outdrives then THEY WILL BREAK if you dont look after them
Volvo Diesels are robust and reliable, but parts are not cheap
As with all machines they need to be loked after

Happy Boating

Steve

 

[pauln]

Ian

Is the AD41B the one with solid copper pipes in the cooling system rather than rubber. I had a boat fitted with AD41s that had the solid pipes, I think it was the B version. They are a real pain because they are sealed with O-rings and a clamp arrangement which means they leak very easily. Volvo also fit drain points to them at their lowest points and I had one fail on the seawater intake going to the pump. I checked some others and the almost fell off.
This may explain why the engine is rusty, mine was as well. Volvo dropped the idea in the later model AD41s.
Frankly they were a nightmare.

Paul