Volvo penta service question

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Leslie frank

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Hi
I have a volvo d2 75 which has run for 170 hours. I am looking to arrange the 200 hour service . I am currently running down from Lisbon towards the Med. My question is that at present I might have done 200 hours in a week or it might take me all the way into the Mediterranean before I run out of hours. I am trying to find out how much wriggle room I might have on the 200 hours. Does anyone know? I have tried contacting Volvo but they tell me it's a tech question so they can't answer it.
 
Whether to stretch the Volvo recommended service interval hours is entirely up to you
In general oil is cheaper than metal.
All that is required that is essential is an oil and filter change.
 
I am not trying to stretch it. When I had the 50 hours service, I couldn't have it done at 45 hours because they said it wasn't enough. So I motored more so I had enough hours. If I book it into say Cadiz ( should be OK) but have have had to motor more due to lack of wind then I could have done 220 hours by then. It's tricky to get this right on a passage unless there is dome leeway plus and minus
 
I don't see how it can possibly be a problem if the service is early providing the next service is within the specified hours or time after that (whichever comes first).
I do get the idea that maybe the 50 hrs first service from new is a possible exception.
 
You've spoken to the engine manufacturer and they can't give you an answer because it's a "tech" question. If they can't answer then I don't see how you can expect anyone on here to give you a more authoritative answer.
 
I was hoping that someone on the forum might have recently reengined their boat with a volvo and could tell me of their experience getting servicing done.
I have now booked the boat in at Algeciras with elias blanco. It seems that some former volvo agents (barbate and Gibraltar) have stopped working as Volvo agents due to costs so the choice is much more limited than i had first thought.
 
Unless the engine is still under manufacturers warranty, the service intervals are flexible.

But the key thing is probably an oil and filters change anyway. I am absolutely no mechanic - but I think every boat owner should have enough knowledge of their engine to be able to do oil and filter changes themselves, without needing a professional “service centre”. Certainly if doing longer voyages like you seem to be doing.
Very easy - but probably want a Pela vacuum pump or similar.

Equally any competent engine mechanic should be able to do a basic service on any of the major brands of engine - certainly VP and Yanmar which are ubiquitous amongst modern European boats.
Although many like to use the VP branded filters and oil, these are not made by VP anyway so moot point if worth paying extra provided the specification is correct.
 
Leslie frank said:
I was hoping that someone on the forum might have recently reengined their boat with a volvo and could tell me of their experience getting servicing done.
I have now booked the boat in at Algeciras with elias blanco. It seems that some former volvo agents (barbate and Gibraltar) have stopped working as Volvo agents due to costs so the choice is much more limited than i had first thought.
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The service intervals are nominal. Many engines only do 50 hours a year so the one year interval is more common. You have put on a lot of hours in a short space of time so suggest you get the service done as soon as you can. Nobody will check on precise hours. I have had 2 new Volvos, The first was a charter boat which inevitably did high hours and after the first service we just changed oil and filters at approx 150 hours. It had done 3500 hours when I sold it and was still running well. The second was a private boat and I did the typical +/- 50 hours a year and serviced by the Volvo dealer every year while it was in warranty and after that did it myself but still using Volvo parts. Your engine is a bit more complex than my simple 30hp, but the type of running you are giving it is good for it. Suggest you avoid light running and cruise at around 2000rpm when the turbo is working to avoid coking up the exhaust.
 
Leslie frank said:
Thankyou for the advice. Yes the engine is still under the manufacturer warranty which is why I wanted to make sure the number of hours was OK so as not to void the warranty.
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Unlikely to void the warranty if you are not spot on with the hours. They are really only an indication of service intervals
 
Leslie frank said:
Thankyou for the advice. Yes the engine is still under the manufacturer warranty which is why I wanted to make sure the number of hours was OK so as not to void the warranty.
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In which case I would check the warranty terms - and be cautious not to go materially over them.
No practical issue - but if later have a warranty claim then the service records may be checked.
 
If owing to distance from a VP agent you purchase from VP their branded oil, filters and any other parts required for the service and do it yourself it would seem reasonable to have them acccept that as warranty compliant.... Maybe try that approach??
 
I have never had a boat with an engine in warranty but I do understand why you would be wanting a main dealer service.

I realised quite a few years ago that DIY servicing not only saves a fortune in labour cost but also some parts like filters and oil can be obtained at lower cost .
Also I tend not to do everything at one hit which spreads the cost. eg I am changing the oil soon but fuel filters are a job for the spring. But this isn't really practical if paying someone to do the job.
 
I totally agree. I have been servicing my own engine for 20 years so I get it. The volvo oil on its own is a ridiculous cost compared to say Rimula. Sadly if I want to maintain the warranty on the new engine then a Volvo guy needs to do it. That's the only reason I am trying to precise understand what I have to comply with.
 
Leslie frank said:
I totally agree. I have been servicing my own engine for 20 years so I get it. The volvo oil on its own is a ridiculous cost compared to say Rimula. Sadly if I want to maintain the warranty on the new engine then a Volvo guy needs to do it. That's the only reason I am trying to precise understand what I have to comply with.
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Is the need for a VP agent to do the servicing actually part of the written warranty terms? Form what I could find using VP parts is, but didn’t see anything saying VP agent is mandatory (but your warranty terms may be different). In which case any professional engineer may be sufficient.
For cars I believe EU law prevented the dealer only servicing requirement.
 
We have just repowered with a brand new D2 75 and have 2 hours on the engine. The first service we will need is the primary 50hr gearbox oil service but we are looking to leave the UK and head to Portugal so may end up motoring more than the 50hrs. If so then guess we will just have to get the 50hr service done ASAP after as surely if we are in the middle of Biscay and coming up to 50hrs (if we have to motor that much) then what can we do!
 
davethedog said:
We have just repowered with a brand new D2 75 and have 2 hours on the engine. The first service we will need is the primary 50hr gearbox oil service but we are looking to leave the UK and head to Portugal so may end up motoring more than the 50hrs. If so then guess we will just have to get the 50hr service done ASAP after as surely if we are in the middle of Biscay and coming up to 50hrs (if we have to motor that much) then what can we do!
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Is it worth buying the official VP oil and other service parts and taking them with you. Then it will be easier to service at first opportunity.
Not sure what is needed at 50 hours, but filters easily done even at sea.
 
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