Volvo Penta Service Costs

Tallulah

Tallulah

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Am I the only one in the Solent who worries about the way VP Service Agents go about the business of charging their customers? My boat is a year old so I'm tied into using VP Agents to maintain my warranty. I find the that engineers are extremely competent, but the administration and charging schedules are difficult to understand!!  Anyone found a good one?
 
If you only have the standard 1 year warranty then European law prevents your warranty being blocked by the manufacturer, In October 2003, European Union legislation affecting the motor and vehicle trade came into force. Its full title is 'Block Exemption Regulations 1400/2002' (in short 'BER'). This legislation changes the way vehicles may be serviced and repaired, and gives owners a lot more freedom in their decision about who should look after their vehicles.
If you buy service products that meet and/or exceed the quality of the manufacturers product then they must still honor the warranty.
Be careful where you buy your filters, belts, impellers etc as not all filters will meet the standards set out by the manufacturer.
I use yachtboatparts as they sell oil, filters, belts and impellers that are made by manufacturers that supply people like Volvo penta, yanmar, mercruiser etc ( remember Volvo penta, Yanmar, mercruiser, beta etc don't make filters or refine oil or mould impellers and belts infact they rarely make the engines they assemble products from other manufacturers and paint them their colour and stick their logo on the box.
As for the engineers you use, most competent independent marine engineers are capable of servicing and won't send out the apprentice to service your engines like the main dealerships are known to have done. Independent engineers always seem more attentive and consciences as the responsibility and reputation for their work lies with them and not absorbed by a bigger company. (there are many excellent engineers at main dealers aswell as not so great ones and the dealer chooses which engineer will attend your boat for its service, not you)
If I have a problem with my boat I can call the independent engineer that works on my boat and he has knowledge of the boat and can advise whereas when I call a main dealer I only speak to the service manager if I'm lucky and they can then charge me to send another one of their engineers out to help if I have the problem between the hours of 8 - 4:30 Monday to Friday.
 
Tallulah said:
Am I the only one in the Solent who worries about the way VP Service Agents go about the business of charging their customers? My boat is a year old so I'm tied into using VP Agents to maintain my warranty. I find the that engineers are extremely competent, but the administration and charging schedules are difficult to understand!!* Anyone found a good one?
Click to expand...

Out of interest did you compare the requirements listed in your Volvo Operators Manual for the First Service Inspection with the work carried out? Primarily the oil & filter change?
 
Took a long time to answer original post

Link to supplier

No location or mail address

Looks like a troll smells like a troll
 
scottie said:
Took a long time to answer original post

Link to supplier

No location or mail address

Looks like a troll smells like a troll
Click to expand...

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From their web site!!
 
Yet another internet based company that will sell you parts etc but give you little a dealer can give ie basic trust, knowledge and advise on your given engine wether in be yanmar, volvopenta, mercruiser etc.

Remember the block exemption states that genuine parts must be used, which means buying from a dealer and in such a case a warranty issue arises from a non franchised engineer and parts not bought from a dealer then id be in for a fight, and to be very honest I wouldnt blame the dealer or manufacturer one bit, to keep your warranty is a deal done between buyer and seller from the day of purchase to expect both sides to honour the agreement which is.

The dealer/supplying manufacturer will give a warranty on there product but this is based on the buyer(you) adhering to the rules, many people think that simply buying parts and employing a non franchised engineer to carry out the servicing will carry the weight, it wont and quite rightly why should it.

If you buy from a non uk registered parts supplier and make a claim the dealer will want to see your parts invoice to prove what you bought, ill give you an example, some internet and well known non volvo agents sell filters which are cheap and nasty and dont have the internal make up of a genuine part, also think about updates on filters which will be sold even if there not advised, the d3 fuel filter change is a very good example, along with the first air filter that didnt have enough air flow causing the engine to go into limp mode, its a minefield.

The dealer and manufacturer has spent millions on training, updates on diagnostic tools etc the list goes on and on.

My advise to you talulah is to pay out for a dealer to come and do the service for another year, let them supply the parts and labour, get your 2nd year warranty and bear the cost.

I can tell you if your on a D series engine and you have a CP pump or injector failure your into thousands to repair the faults, so for the sake of a thousand or so if you have 2 engines use RKmarine or similar, then when your totally out of its warranty use the likes of me, but I can assure you I still use genuine Volvoparts on all d series motors along with either racor or separ for the primary filtration.

By all means ring a few dealers for quote first.
 
volvopaul said:
Yet another internet based company that will sell you parts etc but give you little a dealer can give ie basic trust, knowledge and advise on your given engine wether in be yanmar, volvopenta, mercruiser etc.

Remember the block exemption states that genuine parts must be used, which means buying from a dealer and in such a case a warranty issue arises from a non franchised engineer and parts not bought from a dealer then id be in for a fight, and to be very honest I wouldnt blame the dealer or manufacturer one bit, to keep your warranty is a deal done between buyer and seller from the day of purchase to expect both sides to honour the agreement which is.

The dealer/supplying manufacturer will give a warranty on there product but this is based on the buyer(you) adhering to the rules, many people think that simply buying parts and employing a non franchised engineer to carry out the servicing will carry the weight, it wont and quite rightly why should it.

I have my concerns about Volvo's training and some of their staff but I actually trust their dealers though I recommend keeping on eye on the Volvo Owners Manual as there is good information in there which is not always being issued to the dealers on a timely basis.
If you buy from a non uk registered parts supplier and make a claim the dealer will want to see your parts invoice to prove what you bought, ill give you an example, some internet and well known non volvo agents sell filters which are cheap and nasty and dont have the internal make up of a genuine part, also think about updates on filters which will be sold even if there not advised, the d3 fuel filter change is a very good example, along with the first air filter that didnt have enough air flow causing the engine to go into limp mode, its a minefield.

The dealer and manufacturer has spent millions on training, updates on diagnostic tools etc the list goes on and on.

My advise to you talulah is to pay out for a dealer to come and do the service for another year, let them supply the parts and labour, get your 2nd year warranty and bear the cost.

I can tell you if your on a D series engine and you have a CP pump or injector failure your into thousands to repair the faults, so for the sake of a thousand or so if you have 2 engines use RKmarine or similar, then when your totally out of its warranty use the likes of me, but I can assure you I still use genuine Volvoparts on all d series motors along with either racor or separ for the primary filtration.

By all means ring a few dealers for quote first.
Click to expand...

I can agree with Volvopaul on a couple of issues here.........

Firstly VP genuine genuine parts are expensive but not ridiculous - Yanmar filters are twice the price. Even I take the view that it's not worth saving just a few pounds on those. Certainly not worth risking year 2 warranty and any potential "just out of warranty" in Year 3 claims for.

Secondly, RK Marine were the only VP Centre of the eight that I contacted this summer who absolutely knew that the D4 & D6 First Service Inspection did NOT require an oil & filter change and were very helpful.

On the same matter when I raised the issue with other VP Centres of the difference between the Operators Manual and what was normally done on FSI's their reaction was extremely helpful in the majority of cases and they made real efforts to get to the bottom of the issues.

I do think I might buy the genuine Volvo oil from Keyparts though!

I have my doubts about Volvo's training methods but generally I have confidence in their dealers though I strongly recommend comparing information in the Volvo Operators Manual with the work they are quoting for or carrying out.
 
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hamster said:
If you only have the standard 1 year warranty then European law prevents your warranty being blocked by the manufacturer, In October 2003, European Union legislation affecting the motor and vehicle trade came into force. Its full title is 'Block Exemption Regulations 1400/2002' (in short 'BER'). This legislation changes the way vehicles may be serviced and repaired, and gives owners a lot more freedom in their decision about who should look after their vehicles.
If you buy service products that meet and/or exceed the quality of the manufacturers product then they must still honor the warranty.
Be careful where you buy your filters, belts, impellers etc as not all filters will meet the standards set out by the manufacturer.
I use
www.yachtboatparts.com as they sell oil, filters, belts and impellers that are made by manufacturers that supply people like Volvo penta, yanmar, mercruiser etc ( remember Volvo penta, Yanmar, mercruiser, beta etc don't make filters or refine oil or mould impellers and belts infact they rarely make the engines they assemble products from other manufacturers and paint them their colour and stick their logo on the box.
As for the engineers you use, most competent independent marine engineers are capable of servicing and won't send out the apprentice to service your engines like the main dealerships are known to have done. Independent engineers always seem more attentive and consciences as the responsibility and reputation for their work lies with them and not absorbed by a bigger company. (there are many excellent engineers at main dealers aswell as not so great ones and the dealer chooses which engineer will attend your boat for its service, not you)
If I have a problem with my boat I can call the independent engineer that works on my boat and he has knowledge of the boat and can advise whereas when I call a main dealer I only speak to the service manager if I'm lucky and they can then charge me to send another one of their engineers out to help if I have the problem between the hours of 8 - 4:30 Monday to Friday.
Click to expand...

I have been involved in a few tussles with VP over their warranty and restrictive practices and they will argue that the BER 2002 does NOT apply to marine engines. Yes you can be breathalysed as vessel is deemed to be a vehicle or other conveyance, but sadly the BER does not appear encompass boats and marine engines, and who is prepared to stump up the $$ to take VP on in a test case?

On the subject of of VP's slightly 'dodgy' warranty terms and conditions and the justification of the First Service Inspection (Deemed unlawful in U.S.) has anybody out there actually suffered a failure in the second year and made a claim?

I also need to talk to pals in the U.S, as the way Vodia service tool functions appears to contravene Freedom of Infomation Act there. The information held electronically within an engine is the property of vesels owner.
 
Just a reminder to anyone looking to buy a new boat/engine cummins give a 6 year warranty as standard (major parts)


I am surprised by all the concern about Volvo Penta warranty, I think there has been enough posted on this forum to disregard it, and pontoon talk soon uncovers horrific tales which should be covered like the fitting of 24volt alternators to 12 volt systems are not immediately rectified.

But under UK consumer laws a marine engine isnt deemed to be as disposable as Volvo Penta would like you to think.

If an oil filter fails after a year fair dos, it is a serviceable part.

If a steering pump fails after 2 year its time to demand a new one and issue small claims court papers if they dont pay 80% of the costs including lift out and labour.

Simple pump should last 10 years, only lasted 2 years so a judge would tell Volvo penta to pay 80% of all costs including court costs .

In the real world it will never end up in court and Volvo penta will give you a new pump as long as you keep quiet and dont tell everyone else.

Its how it works with Volvo penta.
(I keep getting pms and emails thanking me for my help as Volvo Penta have supplied again free of charge, but only to the few that dont bend over for the usual VP shafting service )


NB

Volvo Penta cant afford to loose in court as a precedent would be set, they may threaten you with exorbitant costs but unless your claim is malicious a judge would not award costs against you in a small claims court.
 
Copy of a post I did a few months ago,

Traditionally I have regarded Volvo Penta as market leaders in the pleasure boat industry perhaps not on the forefront of technology but not so far behind and the reliability compensated for the 'tried and tested' technology.

In recent years the reliability appears to have slipped slightly and I urge everyone attending boat show stands to make enquires specifically mentioning the warranty, the intention is to put a little pressure on the manufacturers to improve their warranties........


Volvo Penta 12 months + 12 months = 2 years
Nanni 24 months + 12 months = 3 years
Yanmar 12 months + 60 months major parts=5 years
Cummins-mercruiser 24 months + 72 months major components = 6 years


Full details here

http://www.volvopenta.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Penta/Warranty/warranty_statment_int.pdf

http://www.nannidiesel.com/images/stories/services/silverwake-en.pdf

http://www.marinedieseldirect.com/repower/specs/yanmar/warranty.php?engine=yanmar

http://www.cmdmarine.com/documents/4081863_1203.pdf


Of course this is all just my opinion , quick selective skim read so could include errors, mistakes and cockups, if you dont agree feel free to say so I just thought it a bit rich that Volvo Penta expect you to act as a guinea pig for testing a new engine design and then expect you to pay for their cockups.



Mercruiser will soon split from cummins but in my opinion they will both offer 6 years.

Barus used to offer 6 years going as far back as 1998
I think Cummins started when they joined Mercruiser but it appears to be Cummins who are keen to honour warranty claims where mercruiser are on par with VP.

None of the dealers appear to have any idea on warranties, its up to the individual to demand their rights under the warranty , in many cases even within the first year it is easier just to threaten small claims court.
 
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