VolvoMD7A any good?

[paulsmith]

I'm Looking at a 24 yr old boat with a Volvo MD7A if its been looked after (this one seems to have been) should I have any major worries re spares, reliability etc.any comments?
paul

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[Keith]

By and large they are a good little engine if a fraction on the heavy side,spares can be expensive though, but keep an eye on the forums as there are numerous ways to save your money without shopping with volvo.keep an i on the water injection point on the exhaust elbow, they tend to clog up and cause some overheating,change the bolts that hold the water pump on for a4 stainless ones as these tend to rot when the pump starts leaking, change the oil regularly and check the gearbox often, if you have a gearbox problem then its going to cost big!!!....keith

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[woody001]

Hi.

Keith good advice i had one on my old boat.

si

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[Goldie]

I had one in a Halmatic 30 for several years and had it completely rebuilt during that time (1989). I'd been having problems with starting, compression etc and the Volvo stand guy at the '89 SIBS (where I'd gone to investigate potential replacement with a new 2002 model) discretely suggested that I'd be better off with the old engine and rebuild as necessary. Yes it was a bit of a thumper, although not unpleasantly so, but it would always start first touch after a winter lay-up (post rebuild that is), ran at about 3 hrs per gallon and never caused me another moment's worry. Spares are expensive if you go to Volvo, but some of the independents supply the same components for much less. Have a chat with an outfit such as "Keypart" (they usually advertise in PBO) and as what the spares availability is like these days. If it's good, then don't be put off by the age of the engine.

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[nickdick]

I`ve got a 22 yr old Md7a and despite having the opportunity of re-engining have decided (with the advice of an engineer who has my respect) to go for a partial re-build after a bout of no compression and poor starting. He says that once done it should last another 10 - 15 years. Very economical and a very smple no fuss engine.

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[LooLah]

What a great thread. I've just bought an MD7a to replace my air cooled ducati 10hp (probably nearer 8hp now to be honest). I'd heard good things about the engines. Have I bought a bargain...1000 hours only, no oil leaks, always starts, used in a fresh water marina so always washed clean after a trip to sea and with a new gearbox in 2000 ?

Any thoughts before I head to Cardiff to collect it tomorrow ?!

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[johnsomerhausen]

The MD7A on my boat is 26 years old and still works very well after I had the valve seats rectified and new valves put in (1999) and later (2002) the rings changed. The cylinder walls were in perfect condition (no ridge at the top). The exhaust manifold developed a leak in 2003 and the original alternator died in 2002. But the basic engine is still working nicely. One specialist said "these old Volvos are indestructible..."
john

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[alahol2]

Nearly indestructible but not quite...
This year our md7a blew it's head gasket and put a water score in the head. It was too deep to skim off fully and would have cost a small fortune to weld so put it back together with 'plastic steel'. That lasted a couple of months before blowing again. This time I removed the head, filled the offending water channel with 'plastic steel' and put it back together again with no chance of water leaking this time. That took about 2 hours while at anchor on a weekend sail. Started first time and is still running some 2 months later. I love the simplicity of the engine.
A full overhaul (or replacement) of the head would be expensive and who is to say that next year the gearbox or bottom end won't go? So, this winter, I've ordered a Beta to replace it and am looking forward to many years of peace of mind.


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