mikemcgregor
Well-Known Member
Thanks Scottie and DAKA.. much obliged for your comments and advice.
Volvo Penta D4 DPH legs
- Thread starter mikemcgregor
- Start date
DavidJ
Well-Known Member
Ahhh! me too Mike, grandaughter now 18 months and lives around the corner hence only going for a week on the boat. I wonder how old they need to be to sensibly take them on the boat? All the best for the second grandchild.
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mikemcgregor
Well-Known Member
Yes it would be great if the magazines took the role of "Watchdog" and air consumers problems.
I have also written to "Mr Cranchi" explaining the problems and politely telling him that as they selected the VP steering system they must also have some liability. Time will tell. I intend to pursue this all the way!
oceandrive
Well-Known Member
Yep I had the same problems with my Cranchi Zaffiro. Volvo and Cranchi both know that it was fully rercognised that steering rams were failing and so they fitted a sealed gater to replacement and new rams. I HAD SUCCESS COMPLAINING By speaking to the VP head office in UK and also in Sweeden. Probably cost me a hundred quid in phone calls and e-mails but I did get a new pair of rams. sent and fitted FOC.When you get them they will have a gaitor with a drain hole, pump the gaitor with waterproof grease.
mikemcgregor
Well-Known Member
Thanks for this. I am encouraged to hear of your success in getting some satisfaction from VP.
I like your solution of filling the gaiter with waterproof grease but will it not be squeezed out of the drain hole every time you turn the wheel?
volvopaul
Well-Known Member
Hi All ive just read all this post as I went to service a 3 year old T38 engines then drives later to find water in the steering oil, so informed owner.
Went to order 2 rams today to find out NLA at moment, now id say there going to be re designed into hopefully a product that can last more than 3 years.
The first ones didnt work as the end cap was alloy, the second with the bronze end cap still leaks, so i wonder what they will be made of next, I have a pile of shot ones in my workshop all fitted this year!!, along with steering hoses, well thats another story
Watch this space im sure there will be light at the ed of the tunnel for DPH owners.
Out of interest I gave 1 to an engineer who said he could make them for less that half VP retail in stainless.
Went to order 2 rams today to find out NLA at moment, now id say there going to be re designed into hopefully a product that can last more than 3 years.
The first ones didnt work as the end cap was alloy, the second with the bronze end cap still leaks, so i wonder what they will be made of next, I have a pile of shot ones in my workshop all fitted this year!!, along with steering hoses, well thats another story
Watch this space im sure there will be light at the ed of the tunnel for DPH owners.
Out of interest I gave 1 to an engineer who said he could make them for less that half VP retail in stainless.
mikemcgregor
Well-Known Member
Can you get the rams refurbished with new high pressure seals?
I am trying to work out the number of modifications VP have had to make to overcome this obvious design fault.... can you help please?
mikemcgregor
Well-Known Member
Update
I have now had a reply from "Mr Cranchi and Mr Volvo Penta" who inform me that they are looking into it!
Following DAKA's advice I have given them a deadline of 15 July to come up with a satisfactory response otherwise its down to legal action.
Any further advice as to the best way to go down the legal road would be appreciated.
Cheers
I have now had a reply from "Mr Cranchi and Mr Volvo Penta" who inform me that they are looking into it!
Following DAKA's advice I have given them a deadline of 15 July to come up with a satisfactory response otherwise its down to legal action.
Any further advice as to the best way to go down the legal road would be appreciated.
Cheers
volvopaul
Well-Known Member
My customer rang office of fairtrading and armed with that info both volvo and the fairline dealer sprung into action fitting 2 new rams all foc, what a result, the result everyone who has to pay out for new rams on a relatively short life boat should get.
New rams in the making should hit the market anytime soon.
DAKA
Well-Known Member
In my opinion you needed the forum in order to show how widespread the problem is.
You need to be 100% silent now on this thread.
You could start a new thread asking for legal advice, there are some top guys on the forum .
If any manufacturer thinks you will not be silent then your chances of quick success are reduced, they cant afford to pay everyone on the forum !
They are more likely to threaten you with defence claim costs of the maximum small claims court (£5k) which will silence most.
If you hold your nerve the chances of them risking loosing is very slim compared with paying you on an agreed silence.
You need details of how widespread the problem is, thats how the forum can be useful to you.
At this point dont use the forum to advertise how bad an engine design is so that everyone can follow your test case and then also claim.
Your forcing a manufacturer into a position where they cant afford to pay you !
You need better advice than I can give you, I think the forum legal team will be reluctant to say much on this thread, cant you start a general thread about small claims court and ask about dirty tricks played by large companies without mentioning any names ?
The sort of thing that goes on for example.............
Brand new engine delivered without any paperwork.
Appointed agent fits the engine and thats it.
If the owner breaks silence he can be sent a bill !
jfm
Well-Known Member
Remember this is a boat bought in Spain from a Spanish dealer under a Spanish law contract, with a separate VP warranty contract which will be under Spanish or Swedish law and a builder warranty contract hat is likely under Italian law (I guess, but don't know). You will struggle to get an English court to hear it
jfm
Well-Known Member
It's more complex. You enter into a buy/sell contract with the seller/dealer, and SOGA relates to that (in the UK). But separately you become a party to warranty contracts which are a series of contracts directly between you and the boat manufacturer, you and VP, and you and most other makers of hardware on the boat. You can sue under any of those contracts (if you have a case, which depends on the terms of each warranty and the precise facts...)
mikemcgregor
Well-Known Member
all I can say is thanks to all replies.... I am extremely grateful for all you comments and advice
Cheers
Cheers
SolentPhill
Well-Known Member
Interesting quote Paul, I've had 3 sets fitted to a 3 yr old engine all balloned, is this what you have replaced?
volvopaul
Well-Known Member
Yes many times now, when they first started with ballooning the hoses were over 100 each they now do the set (as a sweetner) for 147 plus vat, no mention of a problem though!
SolentPhill
Well-Known Member
A few weeks ago my boat came out for a day or so for repair following hit and run, and I noticed the 2 Nd set that Volvo put on one was ballooning so they changed them over, but the new set were different. So they must have modified them.
lovezoo
Well-Known Member
There is a very active consumer rights group in Spain called FACUA. It might be worth contacting them for advice on your rights under Spanish law. If you don't speak Spanish here is the English version of their website:
https://www.facua.org/es/english.php
https://www.facua.org/es/english.php
mikemcgregor
Well-Known Member
DAKA
Well-Known Member
Always nit picking
My mistake, I sort of assume that everyone is based in the Uk on this forum , sorry Mike.
On a positive though www.volvo-penta.co is available for twelve months @ £12.50
Start your own Volvo penta owners club which gives you the right to use the domain address and load the site up with problem pages, photos and how to overcome the problems.
It doesnt have to be a elaborate as this.
When Volvo penta ask you to remove the content you can offer to sell them the site in exchange for a lifetimes sets of rams (say 3 ?
and they might even chuck a set of spare hoses in
mikemcgregor
Well-Known Member
Always nit picking
My mistake, I sort of assume that everyone is based in the Uk on this forum , sorry Mike.
On a positive though www.volvo-penta.co is available for twelve months @ £12.50
Start your own Volvo penta owners club which gives you the right to use the domain address and load the site up with problem pages, photos and how to overcome the problems.
It doesnt have to be a elaborate as this.
When Volvo penta ask you to remove the content you can offer to sell them the site in exchange for a lifetimes sets of rams (say 3 ?
and they might even chuck a set of spare hoses in
Thanks DAKA
I am living in the UK and travel out to the boat in Spain for about 5 months in the year.
Will consider your suggestion
Once again ..thanks for your comments
Cheers