Volvo penta tmd22p lack of power under load

[davethedog]

Hello all,

Got an issue with the VP tmd22p engine in our m47. Under load it will not seem to rev past 2100rpm but in neutral will rev as normal. So under load we can only get 4 knots boat speed under power. It was fine before with revs under load being normal etc

So thinking it through logically what should I look at checking:
Check the prop is clean {it is dirty I know that as just sent 6 weeks in st Maarten lagoon) as well as the bottom of the boat of course.
Check the fuel filters.
Take the exhaust elbow off to check it as not done that since we have had the boat (we have done about 300 engine hours since we bought her)

Any other suggestions?

 

[Stemar]

When we bought our first boat, it started fine from cold, and didn't smoke, but this was ashore. When we got her in the water, there was a serious lack of power, If we tried to go more than two knots, we laid a smokescreen. It was fixed by having the pump and injector serviced.

If you haven't got the power under full throttle, yes; filters, exhaust elbow, yes; the elbow can clog without any problems up to a certain point, then power goes off quickly. If it's smoky, injectors and pump are a possibility. Another is the turbo not doing its thing.

Accompanied by poor starting, especially from cold, low compression would be a possibility.

 

[Bobc]

Hello all,

Got an issue with the VP tmd22p engine in our m47. Under load it will not seem to rev past 2100rpm but in neutral will rev as normal. So under load we can only get 4 knots boat speed under power. It was fine before with revs under load being normal etc

So thinking it through logically what should I look at checking:
Check the prop is clean {it is dirty I know that as just sent 6 weeks in st Maarten lagoon) as well as the bottom of the boat of course.
Check the fuel filters.
Take the exhaust elbow off to check it as not done that since we have had the boat (we have done about 300 engine hours since we bought her)

Any other suggestions?

I think those are the best first moves.

 

[robmcg]

I would put money on it being your exhaust elbow.

 

[Tranona]

My money is on a fouled propeller. The MD 22 is not particularly bad on choked exhaust elbow and the symptoms come on slowly whereas you description is of a recent change that is quite dramatic.

 

[davethedog]

Thanks all and will have a dive under the boat tomorrow and see. Fingers crossed it is something easy to sort as we are due to head back across the Atlantic in the next few weeks....

 

[davethedog]

Another thing I have been recommended to check is that the turbo waste gate actuator arm moves freely

 

[Bobc]

Another thing I have been recommended to check is that the turbo waste gate actuator arm moves freely

They do stick, but that gives other symptoms. Worth checking it and givimg it a squirt of WD40 anyway.

 

[davethedog]

Update...

Took the air filter housing off and can not move the blades at all...so looks like new turbo time

 

[Tranona]

At least saves the swim to check the prop!

 

[Bobc]

Update...

Took the air filter housing off and can not move the blades at all...so looks like new turbo time

That's quite an unusual failure on those engines.

Glad you found the culprit though.

 

[davethedog]

Yes and now getting someone to remove it and see if they can free it up.

Still.need to swim on the boat anyway as need to clean the hull and prop anyway

 

[Bobc]

Yes and now getting someone to remove it and see if they can free it up.

Still.need to swim on the boat anyway as need to clean the hull and prop anyway

Don't bother trying to free it up, it'll only seize again when you least want it to.

 

[davethedog]

May not have an option out here but to try and get it freed up as a long wait time for a new one to be imported.

 

[Isolano]

ATTENTION!! DO NOT FORCE ON THE TURBO FINS!!!
I have the same engine and the problem is due to some carbon deposit and rust on hot side turbo weel.
Find a socket wrench long enough to fit the nut in the center of the fan, insert it onto the nut and using it gently move the fan back and forth which will initially cause some resistance but after a while it will free itself. Continue this operation until the fan can turn freely even just by pushing it with a finger.
At this point you can turn on the engine which will return to giving all its power.

 

[davethedog]

Update.

The turbo is off and with the local turbo specialist here .

 

[davethedog]

Update, the turbo has been freed up and moves BUT there is a slight sticking point when it is turning that needs more force.

Seeing if we can get a new turbo....

 

[Isolano]

have you tried starting the engine?
Often the turbo, if it is already partially spinning, frees itself completely.
If this does not happen, you can remove the Riser and clean the hot impeller.
In case you can't, it costs much less than the turbo to buy just the "Core Assy" (the piece with the two turbines), the turbo is a "GARRETT 466770-6" normally mounted on Peugeot engines and is easy to find.

 

[davethedog]

Update, turbo freed up fully and back on and now getting to 2500rpm and more boat speed but still not as good as it should be.

So yesterday decided it was time to check the hull and prop (as need to do that anyway prior to us departing the Caribbean to head to the Azores) ....see the pics! First ones are before I started to clean her up.

Started to clean it all up and not only was the prop fouled but also the prop shaft and the P bracket. The hull has what can only be described as a 1cm layer of growth which luckily comes off easily enough but what an effect that must be having!

Got most of it off by snorkelling yesterday and then spent 90mins diving under the boat to clean the rest off (as well as replace the MAXPROP anode).

We only antifouled the boat in November but we have been static on St Maarten lagoon for 6 weeks (a notorious place for growth and barnacles).

Yet to take her out for a further test but that is likely to be tomorrow or weds.

 

[davethedog]

Update, with the bottom and prop etc all cleaned (and the fact that we are fully laden with all our liveaboard stuff including extra fuel and water etc) the engine now gets to 3000rpm and we get 7kt+ boat speed so quite happy with that!