Volvo Penta TAMD63L

[SJHE]

I'm going to look at a motorboat next week which is fitted with a pair of Volvo Penta TAMD63L engines.

Is there anything in particular I should focus on when looking at this model engine? Do they have any common problems or failure points?

Thanks in advance.

 

[kashurst]

A lovely engine if looked after reasonably well. Like a lot of marine engines the turbos and waste gates don't last forever so check the boat can accelerate well and climb onto the plane easily - if it's a planing boat. There are a couple of external high pressure oil feeds that are in rubber hoses. They will be getting old now so might be worth changing if you go ahead. The cooling system is pretty easy to strip and clean out and seem to last. Changing the raw water impeller is a bit tricky. It's a bit close to the oil filters - especially on the starboard engine on a twin engined boat. But with some forethought and a mirror it can be done. If I was looking for a boat around the 38 - 42 feet length I would actively look for 63Ls or 63Ps in preference.

Have a look at the gearbox oil too. It should be clear like wine. If it's black or very dark the clutch plates could be on the way out.

 

[philipdawsonladds]

I have a pair of 63P engines - no issues other than routine maintenance - just had the heat exchangers removed and cleaned out after 20 years

 

[volvopaul]

I'm going to look at a motorboat next week which is fitted with a pair of Volvo Penta TAMD63L engines.

Is there anything in particular I should focus on when looking at this model engine? Do they have any common problems or failure points?

Thanks in advance.

Depends what boat they are in , I know they fitted them in the Princess 40 which made it underpowered .

 

[philipdawsonladds]

Mine are in an Atlantic 42 (13-15 tonnes)

 

[SJHE]

Thanks all for taking the time to respond, I'm very grateful. It's also nice to hear some positive reviews as that's not always the case when you ask an engine related question on a forum.

The engines in question are in a commercial Aquastar 33 which is about 9.5 tonnes. Even in the 'L' spec, they're more than powerful enough for the boat (probably over powered in fact) but it is always nice to have some power in reserve.

In terms of service items (filters etc), can these be bought independently or are they all Volvo specific? And how sensitive are the engines to other high quality brand oils and coolants?

Also curious as to whether the turbos for example can be refurbished by a turbo specialist or are they Volvo Penta specific.

Thanks again.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

You can definitely buy most service parts from eg Keypart, also for filters try Inline they’re very good. Turbos, definitely not VP specific, there are specialists doing this for the truck and bus industry for example.

 

[philipdawsonladds]

I only buy non-VP spares from YBS since Volvo don’t actually make the parts (or oil) and have done for many years without issue

 

[kashurst]

I had a 63P turbo refurbished. It wasn't any better. Better with new ones if needed. Sometimes the waste gates stick/rust these can sometimes be repaired.
Filters etc yes you can buy non OEM filters and oils. Shell Rimula oil seems popular on here. Check what antifreeze is in teh engines if possible. From memory it's nothing special.

 

[SJHE]

Thanks all - it's my first step into Volvo territory so useful to know these things. Parts don't seem to cross reference as easily as Cummins, Cat etc so I was wondering if it was difficult to source non VP parts. Will follow up on the companies suggested.

Thanks again for inputting.

 

[volvopaul]

Thanks all - it's my first step into Volvo territory so useful to know these things. Parts don't seem to cross reference as easily as Cummins, Cat etc so I was wondering if it was difficult to source non VP parts. Will follow up on the companies suggested.

Thanks again for inputting.

The filters are available non genuine I use mainly Fleetguard if clients do not want genuine .

 

[oldgit]

Many of the "bigger" boats on our moorings have pairs of these ,some from the early 1980s , powered by this range of engines usually the 255hp or 306Hp versions.
Due to age and number of hours run, just about every problem likely to surface has been encountered over the last few decades and apart from the fact that stuff simply wears out Turbos/Alternators and the often forgotton about risers which corrode all have been fixed.
The most serious problem encountered was a cracked cylinderhead , overheating as result of the cooling system not being cleaned for years.