Volvo penta motors

[Wansworth]

Looking at a yacht on internet with a Volvo Penta motor ,I had heard that they were not good and spares expensive,is that the case?

 

[Tranona]

You have asked this question before. There are many different types of Volvo engines. The really old (pre 1908s) are simple heavy things and spares are getting scarce. Next generation 1980s to late 90s are not very good by today's standards but loads still in use and generally hold up well. Late 80s onwards are Perkins based and generally good. Almost all boat diesel spares apart from service items are expensive independent of make.

Pattern of usage and service record more important than type of engine.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Volvo spares do have a reputation of being expensive there are many models and some of the older ones will be difficult to find spares for.

 

[Daydream believer]

What model. I liked my MD 2020 (New in the boat in 2003)until it died at 5000 hours. Up to then very reliable apart from 3 glow relays, 2 alternator repairs & a broken engine mounting. A few impellors, A raw water pump cover. 2 rubber sail drive seals & 3 sets of shaft seals on the sail drive.
All of which I changed myself
Then a set of injectors suplied & fitted by Volspec at circa 4500 hours when they did an engine tune up. First time the rocker cover had been off.
.
The wife bought me a new MD 2030 & saildrive the day after the old one died. I did not mention that in the thread about wives worrying about husbands going off on their own in case forumites got the wrong impression about our relationship

 

[SaltIre]

You have asked this question before.

Yup. Here, to remind the OP of the responses, is the previous thread:
Volvo Penta engines.

Looking at a boat with one but somewhere I read they are not good and spares are expensive,any comments,many thanks.

 

[Wansworth]

You have asked this question before. There are many different types of Volvo engines. The really old (pre 1908s) are simple heavy things and spares are getting scarce. Next generation 1980s to late 90s are not very good by today's standards but loads still in use and generally hold up well. Late 80s onwards are Perkins based and generally good. Almost all boat diesel spares apart from service items are expensive independent of make.

Pattern of usage and service record more important than type of engine.

Ok,sorry about double posting will get back to the owner but it’s probably an old one…..Evasions 28…beneteau

 

[Wansworth]

Yup. Here, to remind the OP of the responses, is the previous thread:
Volvo Penta engines.

Sorry,not everybody has faultless memories……will try harder,but thanks interesting to read read replies!

 

[Fr J Hackett]

It seems the ideal boat for you however any boat from the 70s is going to have an old well used engine it doesn't really matter what make it is if it starts that's all you can ask of it. Who is going to maintain it? you have never displayed any aptitude for maintaining mechanical things.

 

[Wansworth]

It seems the ideal boat for you however any boat from the 70s is going to have an old well used engine it doesn't really matter what make it is if it starts that's all you can ask of it. Who is going to maintain it? you have never displayed any aptitude for maintaining mechanical things.

No you are totally correct unfortunately.One of the boats I liked in Sada was because there was a local marineengineer who knew the boat and engine ut the wife thought it too small…….oh that I had my late fathers aptitude for mechanical things but I lack logical thinking skills or ability to retain mechanical knowledge although I am a great assistant in these matters ,attentive but lacking basic knowledge ……a failing

 

[Daydream believer]

A late committee member of our club had an Evasion 28 & used it as the club committee boat for many years. He bought it privately & just after he bought it, a finance co. came to him & asked for the money, or the boat back. It was a substantial sum at the time. He tried to persue the previous owner for fraud, but he had disapeared to france & solicitors at the time advised him that he was wasting his time. He ended up doing a deal with the finance company.

 

[Stemar]

It's the 2000 series that has a something of a reputation for poor starting, but the issue is far more one of users not knowing the correct starting procedure.

I had one in my last boat, it was totally reliable, always started, albeit with a bit of churning when there was ice on the deck, and never missed a beat that wasn't my fault.

I certainly wouldn't be put off by one any more than any other engine of the vintage.

 

[Wansworth]

A late committee member of our club had an Evasion 28 & used it as the club committee boat for many years. He bought it privately & just after he bought it, a finance co. came to him & asked for the money, or the boat back. It was a substantial sum at the time. He tried to persue the previous owner for fraud, but he had disapeared to france & solicitors at the time advised him that he was wasting his time. He ended up doing a deal with the finance company.

That indeed is a cautionary story!

 

[Momac]

Volvo Penta are the preferred choice in some circles.
Some parts may be expensive but at least they are available here in the UK and probably available in EU countries and the USA. . eg I needed a flanged bolt and a spacer that had been incorrectly fitted by a specialist and that had resulted in damaged threads in the bolt. For a bolt and spacer it was not exactly cheap but not exactly a rip off and the parts were ready for collection within a few days. The parts fitted perfectly. A new starter switch was very expensive but at least it was available and an east fit and came with two new keys.
For my engines (in a motorboat) the filters are all available as alternative but good quality brands as they are road vehicle parts although that's not necessarily true of all VP engines.
I had a starter motor checked and a new solenoid supplied by an automotive electrical engineer . If I recall correctly these parts were Valeo branded.
Also the turbocharger isn't a bespoke Volvo item so can be supplied or refurbished by a turbocharger specialist.

I believe some other brands make VP prices seem reasonable and the parts may have to be imported. Therefore if not Volvo Penta what alternative engine /drive would you prefer and how do parts for that compare?