hg2016
Member
Hi chaps,
is the Volvo Penta D4 a more modern and slightly better engine than the Kad 32 ?
is the Volvo Penta D4 a more modern and slightly better engine than the Kad 32 ?
Volvo Penta D4
- Thread starter hg2016
- Start date
[2068]
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I have owned a boat with KAD32's, and the current boat has two D4's.
KAD32 is mechanical, reliable, but mechanical shifters are harder for the ladies to use, noisier, some smoke on a cold start, more vibration, older ones could be suffering with turbos, exhaust horns, and all the usual problems with older outdrives. Mechanical steering system is "inside" and has some play in it. Easy to DIY service.
D4 is a much more modern design. Common rail injection, so no smoke on startup. Fly by wire shifters are dead easy to use. Less vibration. Smoother and quieter. EVC system has been reliable for me, but some have had issues with throttles and gear actuators if the cables go stiff. Updates/upgrades include improved strainer lids and steering rams (first few versions leaked). Steering system is hydraulic, driving rams on the outdrive. This is very precise, but see above about the upgraded rams. Needs a VP dealer to diagnose any electronic issues, otherwise servicing is straightforward. No tappets to adjust. Parts are generally more expensive, e.g. one set of duoprops = £1600. If the coolers need cleaning, this can also be a four figure bill.
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KAD32 is mechanical, reliable, but mechanical shifters are harder for the ladies to use, noisier, some smoke on a cold start, more vibration, older ones could be suffering with turbos, exhaust horns, and all the usual problems with older outdrives. Mechanical steering system is "inside" and has some play in it. Easy to DIY service.
D4 is a much more modern design. Common rail injection, so no smoke on startup. Fly by wire shifters are dead easy to use. Less vibration. Smoother and quieter. EVC system has been reliable for me, but some have had issues with throttles and gear actuators if the cables go stiff. Updates/upgrades include improved strainer lids and steering rams (first few versions leaked). Steering system is hydraulic, driving rams on the outdrive. This is very precise, but see above about the upgraded rams. Needs a VP dealer to diagnose any electronic issues, otherwise servicing is straightforward. No tappets to adjust. Parts are generally more expensive, e.g. one set of duoprops = £1600. If the coolers need cleaning, this can also be a four figure bill.
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julians
Well-known member
D4 is definitely more modern,it is part of volvos current generation of engines, whereas the kad is the previous generation.
Whether its better is in the eye of the beholder i suspect.
I have a d4, and while i cant fault ita performance,fuel economy or refinement (for a diesel), it has had its fair share of issues. Things like steering rams failing on outdrive (not an issue if you have shafts), frequent cleaning of coolers, belt tensioners failing. I guess my engine is 10 years old now,so i should expect some extra maintenance.
Whether its better is in the eye of the beholder i suspect.
I have a d4, and while i cant fault ita performance,fuel economy or refinement (for a diesel), it has had its fair share of issues. Things like steering rams failing on outdrive (not an issue if you have shafts), frequent cleaning of coolers, belt tensioners failing. I guess my engine is 10 years old now,so i should expect some extra maintenance.
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hg2016
Member
Thanks FlowerPower, can you tell me what strainer lids and coolers are please.
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[2068]
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Strainer lid: See the clear plastic circular thing, bottom right hand corner?
It's the sea water strainer/filter. The original design was not great.
Improved lid kit:
This one with the four screw down thingies is actually waterproof, and works properly.
It's the sea water strainer/filter. The original design was not great.
Improved lid kit:
This one with the four screw down thingies is actually waterproof, and works properly.
[2068]
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Coolers = Charge Air Cooler (upper right hand side, thing with fins) and the heat exchanger, which you can't really see, it's on the same side, but a bit buried behind the two white oil filter / oil bypass canisters.
If the coolant temperature at full throttle is stable at 85'C then you are in a good place, no cleaning needed (yet).
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If the coolant temperature at full throttle is stable at 85'C then you are in a good place, no cleaning needed (yet).
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hg2016
Member
ari
Well-known member
All of the above is spot on advice, but it's worth noting also that it is a bigger engine also. The KAD 32 is a 2.4 litre producing 170hp. The D4 is a 3.7 litre producing (depending on version) 225, 260 or 300hp. It's the replacement for the larger KAD 42/43/44 engine, the replacement for the KAD 32 is the D3 which was normally 160hp or 190hp. (There is also a later version of the D3 which, confusingly, was a totally different engine).
Of the D4 variants, I believe I'm right in saying that only the larger two options got a supercharger and turbocharger, the 225 was turbo only so doesn't get the low end supercharger 'kick' onto the plane of the more powerful versions (and indeed, the KAD 32).
hg2016
Member
Thanks Ari.
the boat I was looking at is a 2004/5 Glastron GS279 with a vovlvo penta D4, 210 hp stated. Does this sound right to you.
[2068]
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Yes, the first version of what is now the D4-225 was first released as the D4-210.
AllanG
Well-known member
My previous boat, a Nimbus 320, was powered by a D4 210hp, and can confirm that it's the non-supercharged version. In my experience, it's an excellent engine, with an electronic control system. Mine was shaft drive, whereas the version you are looking at will be stern drive.
ari
Well-known member
You're welcome. As FP mentioned, the smaller version was originally a 210hp, so that sounds right.
Another thing to bear in mind is that I think the D4 is a much heavier engine than the KAD 32 (specs will be on line somewhere I'm sure). So some of the hp advantage may be lost in the extra weight to drag around. That said, they do say that there's no replacement for displacement, and although it's not massively more powerful, it's still a far larger cc engine.
hg2016
Member
Thanks to all for the replies so far.
Excuse my ignorance but could someone tell me the difference between a shaft drive and a stern drive please.
[2068]
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Sterndrive (outdrive)
More sophisticated. Entire drive pivots to steer. Can be trimmed to get the running angle just right, can be tilted for use in shallow water. Better fuel consumption and performance. Needs more love & TLC - more to go wrong. Typically found on small to 45ft boats.
Shaft Drive (inboard)
Simpler. Steers with rudders. Can't tilt in shallow water. Worse fuel consumption and performance, but less to go wrong. Typically used on larger boats (although sometimes found on smaller ones too).
More sophisticated. Entire drive pivots to steer. Can be trimmed to get the running angle just right, can be tilted for use in shallow water. Better fuel consumption and performance. Needs more love & TLC - more to go wrong. Typically found on small to 45ft boats.
Shaft Drive (inboard)
Simpler. Steers with rudders. Can't tilt in shallow water. Worse fuel consumption and performance, but less to go wrong. Typically used on larger boats (although sometimes found on smaller ones too).
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hg2016
Member
Sterndrive (outdrive)
More sophisticated. Entire drive pivots to steer. Can be trimmed to get the running angle just right, can be tilted for use in shallow water. Better fuel consumption and performance. Needs more love & TLC - more to go wrong. Typically found on small to 45ft boats.
Shaft Drive (inboard)
Simpler. Steers with rudders. Can't tilt in shallow water. Worse fuel consumption and performance, but less to go wrong. Typically used on larger boats (although sometimes found on smaller ones too).
Top replies from Top folks. So easy to understand with the pictures. Thank you.
[2068]
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Stern Drive: You have the chance to have your propellers pushing approximately in the correct direction - the direction the boat is travelling.
Shaft Drive: Your propellers are always trying to make the front of the boat go downwards. Why do you want to go downwards???
edit: this forum is screwed. how does my reply appear first?
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Portofino
Well-known member
Shaft the expensive stuff is inside the boat
Stern drive the expensive stuff is in the water
hg2016
Member
Don't worry mate, I struggle to understand how the reply system works. It never seems to read in any sort of order for me. I've only recently worked out how to reply with a quote so people have some idea of who I'm replying to.Stern Drive: You have the chance to have your propellers pushing approximately in the correct direction - the direction the boat is travelling.
Shaft Drive: Your propellers are always trying to make the front of the boat go downwards. Why do you want to go downwards???
edit: this forum is screwed. how does my reply appear first?
petem
Well-known member
Stern Drive: You have the chance to have your propellers pushing approximately in the correct direction - the direction the boat is travelling.
Shaft Drive: Your propellers are always trying to make the front of the boat go downwards. Why do you want to go downwards???
edit: this forum is screwed. how does my reply appear first?
Load balanced servers, one having the time out by quite a few minutes perhaps?
hg2016
Member
I'll have'to take your word for that one. Way over my head.
