Volvo Penta MD2030 - Is the consumption high?

[cmedsailor]

I have a feeling that the consumption of my Volvo Penta MD2030D is high. I really have never managed to measure it properly but it’s about 2.5-3lt/hour (maybe closer to 3lt/hr) at around cruising speed of 2500 rpm (normal load, neither heavy nor light). Well in fact I always thought that 2.5-3lt/hr was normal but from other posts I now think it’s probably a bit high and 2-2,5lt/hr is more reasonable.
I change regularly (as per manual instructions) oil and filters. What could cause a high consumption?
Thanks

PS: Is there somewhere on the internet a consumption curve for this engine?

 

[jbweston]

You might be interested in this thread on the subject http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212412

My previous boat had a 2030 and I logged fuel consumption against engine hours for every tank of fuel over a number of years. I don't have the figures in front of me but, as far as I recall, I used to get 1.75 to 2.0 litres/hour when normally running at 1500-1700 rpm in reasonable conditions. When running at 2000+ rpm, I got more-or-less the same as you 2.5 to 3.0 litres/hour.

I found conditions made a big difference. If it was headwind and waves the consumption went up. Wind behind me or smooth it went down. Perhaps that was because I opened the throttle more or less to run at different engine speeds.

This was on a Sadler 34. I had a fixed two blade prop so I guess a good 3-blader would improve efficiency.

There used to be someone who was collecting data from people with different engine types in differnt boats and publishing the results in a spreadsheet. I've just had a look but can't find a link to that - perhaps someone else will oblige.

 

[Tranona]

Have just done a long passage with around 150 hours engine running time with my 2030. Almost constant 2400 and just over 2 litres an hour.

 

[cmedsailor]

Have just done a long passage with around 150 hours engine running time with my 2030. Almost constant 2400 and just over 2 litres an hour.

Tranona actually it's the consumption that your engine has that I had in mine (from other posts). So, back to the original question. What could cause my engine to consume more?
The two blade fixed propeller (gives around 6 knots at 2500rpm like your boat)? Something with the engine (valves or diesel pump tuning, or anything else)? Certainly not the fuel filters because I have never noticed any difference with either new or old ones.

 

[Tranona]

Can't really help there. As far as I know my engine is completely standard. It is a Saildrive with standard 2 blade prop, but not sure that would make any difference. The boat is stuck in Spain at the moment, having motored most of the way from Corfu. Records of fuel used are still on the boat, but the figure quoted is reasonably accurate over the two long passages from Sicily to Sardinia and Sardinia to Majorca.