Volvo Penta D4 DPH legs

Is there such a thing as a "Volvo Penta users association"? Just wondering if all users of VP products can have some way of putting pressure on them to comply with "sale of goods act" and get them to issue a recall and put things right like they would no doubt be obliged to do if the same thing happened to one of their car products.
 
I am considering (perhaps unwisely) a boat with DPH outdrives. When these hydraulic cylinders fail, are they unrepairable only with regard to the availability of VP parts?. Or, could they be refurbished? If it's only the seals they are probably not unique to VP. Earlier DPS drive trim cylinders were repairable, the VP manuals even describe how to do it, Later ones are apparently not serviceable! i.e. they'd prefer to sell you a new unit, as they do now with input shafts rather than replacing Ujs on the original one.

Graham
 
GrahamHR said:
I am considering (perhaps unwisely) a boat with DPH outdrives. When these hydraulic cylinders fail, are they unrepairable only with regard to the availability of VP parts?. Or, could they be refurbished? If it's only the seals they are probably not unique to VP. Earlier DPS drive trim cylinders were repairable, the VP manuals even describe how to do it, Later ones are apparently not serviceable! i.e. they'd prefer to sell you a new unit, as they do now with input shafts rather than replacing Ujs on the original one.

Graham
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I have heard that the seals can be replaced with new seals but make sure they are high pressure ones otherwise the seal may blow with dangerous complete loss of steering. Although I think this tends to happen at high speeds.
 
A few thoughts (please dont chastise me for mistakes, this should really be up to Volvo Penta to be coming up with a solution)......

a)
If the ram is just on one side then leaving the drive in full lock when owners leave them for a week will prevent growth which appears to be the issue.

(not sure if there is a ram both sides, I only recall one but that could be as only one was leaking ????

b) Anyone who replaces a ram should keep the old one and have new seals put in as a carry on board spare (MUST BE HIGH PRESSURE SEALS).

c)
I have no objection to Volvo Penta cribbing the DAKA patented repair kit, they could market 'an extended cruise optional kit' this is for anyone who intends to cover more than 10 nm a year with a DPH/DPH2 drive.

the kit consists of a screw fitting with a high pressure hose attached which screws on to the steering wheel top up.
The high pressure hose is screwed onto a 500ml clear bottle (coke bottle) which is mounted at the side of the helm.(bit like a hospital drip).

The helmsman can keep an eye on the steering fluid and as soon as the drip gets to 25% he can stop, refill the drip and carry on.

d) follow Geoffs example and try not to get your DPH/DPH2 drives wet ;)
The DPH/DPH2 drives make a bit of a mockery of banning a 4 hp 2stroke outboard :D

Now I accept I have been over sarcastic, reason being I hope Volvo Penta read this and realize what a bunch of toe rags they are for not holding their hands up and at least issuing warnings.

if I was on board a DPH/DPH2 boat and had to top up to get home I would disable to power steering by cutting the fan belt off , at least that way oil would only be lost when turning the wheel.
 
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On twin setups, there is one ram on the starboard side of the starboard drive, and one on the port side of the port drive, with a tie bar where the rams would be on the insides.

Why don't VP supply the "missing" rams as spares to owners of twin installations. Where do all these missing rams go :confused:

The only way to prevent growth build up would be to each week, have the steering hard over to port, then the following week have it hard over to starboard. Could this be an additional guardiennage service that marinas could offer :)
 
Here are a couple of photos of the DPH leg on my old boat , the first pic is at the first lift for a lift and scrub , note the scale build up on ram piston .
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the second has the new rubber gaiter fitted but it has holes in italong the bottom so that as it expands and contracts it does not blow up or shrink like a balloon . IMHO there should be no holes in them exept for one connected to a tube to vent it so it dont pop of , = dry ram piston , no scaling up and life is good :) . BTW Volvo its my idea so if you nick it you owe me big style :D

2868.jpg
 
ANDY59 said:
Here are a couple of photos of the DPH leg on my old boat , the first pic is at the first lift for a lift and scrub , note the scale build up on ram piston .
2859.jpg

the second has the new rubber gaiter fitted but it has holes in italong the bottom so that as it expands and contracts it does not blow up or shrink like a balloon . IMHO there should be no holes in them exept for one connected to a tube to vent it so it dont pop of , = dry ram piston , no scaling up and life is good :) . BTW Volvo its my idea so if you nick it you owe me big style :D

2868.jpg
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This is what they look like if you keep 'em dry.

Props.jpg


A boat getting wet? What a ridiculous idea!

To GrahamHR. I'd steer (sic) clear of the DPH, unless you are going to dry berth. Steering rams WILL fail, regularly.
 
The last new ram kit I fitted now has an earthing kit supplied. What good will this do escapes me!

I understand that VP now have replaced the "scraper" with a bronze one which is supposed to keep the rams clear of calcium build up.

I make that 3 modifications they have had to make so far... unless of couse anyone knows better
1) Gaiters
2) gaiters now supplied with all replacement rams + earthing kit.
3) Bronze "scraper"
 
ANDY59 said:
. IMHO there should be no holes in them exept for one connected to a tube to vent it so it dont pop of , = dry ram piston , no scaling up and life is good :) .
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If the next time its out you put two holes in, one either end and make sure they are adequate size to accept a standard gauge extended cruising repair kit (Mcdonalds straw);)

Then fill the emergency reservoir ( fairy bottle);) with hydrochloric acid and metal protector (brick cleaner).
Then raise the leg, squirt the bricker cleaner in one end, leave for 5 min and clean out by squirting seawater in.

Once a month should do it, permanent fix, jobs a good en.:)
 
DavidJ said:
Just an idea but how about a tube going from one gaiter to the other so the pressure is equalised.
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Hi David,

Hope all is well with you.

Dont know if that would work as current gaiters have holes in them anyway. Also if the gaiters were sealed from the water it may require VP to spend more money in redesigning the attachments to the legs.

I am just hoping that If I shout loud and long enough VP will sit up and take notice.
 
mikemcgregor said:
I am just hoping that If I shout loud and long enough VP will sit up and take notice.
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I THINK YOU CAN SHOUT AS LOUD AS YOU LIKE, VP WILL NOT HEAR.

They don't want to. I mention the rams on stands at shows. The responses range from 'Don't know' to 'Not aware of any issues'.

The plain fact is that there are no answers. Gaiters, scrapers etc. are only sweeping the problem under the carpet.

The only solution is to move rams inside, just like all other outdrives on the market, VP or otherwise. That would be much too large a design change and refitting programme.
 
DavidJ said:
Hi Mike
How's the fishing?
Sorry about the problems you're having with your fabulous boat. I'm off to Empuriabrava on Wednesday for a week, weather looks hot out there at the moment.....and windy of course!
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Hi david

Fishing is on hold for now... been busy being a Granddad!
One daughter gave birth last August.... her sister is about to produce here in the UK

Hope to be out late July for a few weeks.
 
Geoffs said:
I THINK YOU CAN SHOUT AS LOUD AS YOU LIKE, VP WILL NOT HEAR.

They don't want to. I mention the rams on stands at shows. The responses range from 'Don't know' to 'Not aware of any issues'.

The plain fact is that there are no answers. Gaiters, scrapers etc. are only sweeping the problem under the carpet.

The only solution is to move rams inside, just like all other outdrives on the market, VP or otherwise. That would be much too large a design change and refitting programme.
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Well I am doing a lot of research re consumer rights etc. Getting some good advice from various european consumer groups.
There are adequate laws to protect consumers from goods which are "not fit for purpose"

I have written to VP CEO asking politely for compensation will wait for their response before taking it to next level.
 
Geoffs said:
I THINK YOU CAN SHOUT AS LOUD AS YOU LIKE, VP WILL NOT HEAR.

They don't want to. I mention the rams on stands at shows. The responses range from 'Don't know' to 'Not aware of any issues'.

The plain fact is that there are no answers. Gaiters, scrapers etc. are only sweeping the problem under the carpet.

The only solution is to move rams inside, just like all other outdrives on the market, VP or otherwise. That would be much too large a design change and refitting programme.
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Yep , same here , mentioned it to 3 guys separately and non had heard about it :mad: , funny that MBM even did an article on it !!! . If 2 or 3 garden shed inventors can think of a way to solve it why cant volvo :confused:,

Oh would that be an admission that there IS a problem ??? i wonder:rolleyes:
 
mikemcgregor said:
Well I am doing a lot of research re consumer rights etc. Getting some good advice from various european consumer groups.
There are adequate laws to protect consumers from goods which are "not fit for purpose"

I have written to VP CEO asking politely for compensation will wait for their response before taking it to next level.
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I too have written to VP, never even got a reply. That was over poor quality NiBrAl propellers. But that's another story!

A positive story for a change. I had problems with shaft bearing carrier. Mentioned to a VP man a SIBS, he got straight onto my local VP dealer. When I visited boat a few days later, no drive on back (I dry berth remember). Only snag was I was looking forward to a few days away. Can't fault service tho'!
 
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We just need one person to issue small claims court proceedings (money claim on line).
Cost £50-£80

Write a letter to VP requesting reimbursement of costs
rams
labour
lift out
Advice you are issuing small claims court proceedings if you dont hear anything by 24/6/11
Keep a copy and issue on 24/6/11 attaching copy letter 24/5/11, invoices for repairs/liftout your mechanics notes saying his suggested cause of damage (usual marine growth) and a print out of this thread.

Small claims court isnt like a criminal court where evidence beyond reasonable doubt is required , the judge is a sensible person able to read the file and make his assessment of the most likely case.
You could ask for names and addresses of others to be sent to you by pm.

You choose a court close and convenient to you.

Start another thread and I am sure some of the legal experts will help with presentation of your claim and procedure.

My bet is VP will not allow this to get to court and a payment will be swift.

Please note Im not trying to have a go at Volvo Penta, I cant single out any marine company that doesnt act the same in using punters as guinea pigs for new designs and then not helping sort the cockups out.
 
Did you buy a Volvo product or a boat with a Volvo product ?

I would suggest that either take action against the seller or boatbuilder

I believe that sale of goods is between buyer and seller not manufacturer?

However I would think that Volvo would not like to be dragged in and would act but this would not affect anyone except the person involved.

Perhaps this is where the magazines should consider taking up reasonable causes.
 
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