Volvo vs Bukh

Definitive answer...

Get the one that has been lovingly maintained from new by her owner, a man - or woman - who knows and understands mechanical things, and talks about then lovingly whilst buffing up the shine on the rocker cover, and wiping up the drip of clean oil from the dip-stick.

The rusty, leaky, oily job that blows smoke in varying shades when it didn't ought to, is the one who's mother ship should be marked down by the price of a replacement - say 5 grand!
 
Re: Definitive answer...

5K?? bollocks - and the rest for new prop shaft, prop, etc.........
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
Bukhs and old Volvos are equally reliable but the Bukh has a basic flaw and that is the raw water pump.It is far too small for the engine and when it goes(and they do go) that massive head will warp for sure.Apart from that they're Ok.On the other hand an engine is ,as far as I'm aware,completely ignorant of the vehicule it is mounted in so all this talk of "proper" marine engine versus converted tractor engine makes no sense at all.As long as the thing is well engineered and properly fitted ie cooling,exhaust etc there is no difference between the two types.They all share the same basic components and I for one would always buy a Beta(own one) a Yanmar or even a Vetus.The only thing I really miss is the ability to hand start...
 
That string served me well because I am trying to decide between a marinised 50hp Kubota (either Nanni or Beta) and the equivalent Bukh. With a ZF mechanical box, the former is priced at NZ$13000 and the latter at NZ$16000, both trade price. Japanese engineering is first class so I think it's Kubota and a very good battery for me.
 
Bolinders

Absolutely!

The manual for my very early MD2 (engine number 3415!) actually states "Supplied by the British Bolinders Company!"

The MD2 begat the MD2A and MD2B, which begat the MD11...with sucessively higher RPM and BMEP. A very robust, simple, engine.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Bukhs and old Volvos are equally reliable

[/ QUOTE ]Strongly disagree based ob personal experience.
[ QUOTE ]
but the Bukh has a basic flaw and that is the raw water pump.It is far too small for the engine and when it goes(and they do go) that massive head will warp for sure.

[/ QUOTE ] Strongly disagree. The raw water pump is adequate for the engine, furthermore I had an impeller fail (after 2 months use) but the head did not warp - The over Temperature alarm went off, I stopped the engine, checked the impeller and had it changed within a few minutes - NO damage to the head or any other part of the engine was ever noted so where you get "massive head will warp for sure" I really do not know - mis-informed personal opinion perhaps?

[ QUOTE ]
Apart from that they're Ok.On the other hand an engine is ,as far as I'm aware,completely ignorant of the vehicule it is mounted in so all this talk of "proper" marine engine versus converted tractor engine makes no sense at all.

[/ QUOTE ]How many vehicular (tractor or car) engines do you know have sacrificial anodes installed by design? How many vehicular (tractor or car) engines do you know have heavy wall cast iron blocks? Most vehicular engines are built as light as possible with a minimum wall thickness in the block and head and as light a crank as possible.
[ QUOTE ]
As long as the thing is well engineered and properly fitted ie cooling,exhaust etc there is no difference between the two types.

[/ QUOTE ] See above - there IS a BIG difference
[ QUOTE ]
They all share the same basic components and I for one would always buy a Beta(own one) a Yanmar or even a Vetus.

[/ QUOTE ] A lawn mower engine shares the same basic components as a formula one racing engine but they are two very different engines. - I have owned a Beta in the past and they are reasonable for what they are, that is "marinised tractor engines". It would not stop me having another Beta but I would never change a Bukh for a Beta or a Nanni or even a Yanmar and certainly never for a Volvo.

If/when I am buying another boat one of the first things I would look at was the engine - if it was a Volvo I would be looking at around 10K off the final negotiated price so as I could rip the Volvo out and fit something else - order of preference would be Bukh then Yanmar then Beta then Nanni but would never consider another Volvo nor even a Vetus (not a reflection on the engine but rather on the poor after sales service experienced by a colleague), but that is only my opinion based on my direct experiences although maybe tainted slightly by what I have also read and heard.

[ QUOTE ]
The only thing I really miss is the ability to hand start...

[/ QUOTE ]'nuff said! although I hear viagra™ can sometimes help in that area. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

At the end of the day it is down to personal preferences as to the choice of engine, some prefer "marinised tractor engines" for whatever reasons while others prefer to go for something that was designed from conception for use in a marine environment rather than settling for a compromise. Some prefer the immediate response from the light weight MTEs while others are happier with the feel of a heavier, slower engine (maybe these people are better at handling their craft and don't need to be slamming it from idle to flank speed when docking?)
Anyway "you pays your money, you takes your chance" I know where I'd put my money... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
One apect not touched on is after sales care (or lack of it). A major production boat distributor politely described the (lack of) Volvo response as robust. This is effectively "oh it went wrong, oh sir it must be because you used it!". They will squirm out of every thing they can and claim it overheated, blocked cooling water etc etc.

From my limited knowlege base I am aware of 5 Volvo three cylinder engines that have seized or partially seized on the middle cylinder. As one of them was my own I didn't need any more experience to choose a Yanmar this time.

I cannot claim any Bukh experience but I can only believe they must be better or am I being illogical?
 
Re: After Sales Service (ASS)

I have never had a problem from Bukh U.K nor have I heard of anyone else having problems with ASS. Now Volvo is another matter as is Vetus Total crap ASS.
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hammer.thumb.gif
“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
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