Changing FRESH water pump on VP MD22L

Feb 10, 2004
4,140
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
I just had my fresh water pump fail on my 25 yo Volvo Penta MD22L
I'm stuck at Onset Bay, MA. I can't get a pump locally so I've ordered from the UK. I should have the pump by the weekend.
This remove and replace is quite complex.
Does anyone who has done this have any tips or advice?
VP dealers won't work on an engine this old, so I have no option except to do it myself.
I hate breakdowns mid-cruise.
 

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Hey, Rich, I wish I could help. Meanwhile, Onset is nice. I LOVE Marc Anthony's pizza! Check it out. I'll meet you for lunch there it you like.
 

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Did you try Niemiec Marine Inc on Pope's Island in New Bedford - "volvopenta.com" - I called and asked about the availability of your pump, they're going to get back to me this morning. If they have it I can grab it and bring it to you. BTW, what's your serial number?
 

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Niemiec Marine doesn't have it in stock, but can get it. $668.
 
Feb 10, 2004
4,140
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
Did you try Niemiec Marine Inc on Pope's Island in New Bedford - "volvopenta.com" - I called and asked about the availability of your pump, they're going to get back to me this morning. If they have it I can grab it and bring it to you. BTW, what's your serial number?
Generous offer, but I've ordered from the UK, so I should have it by Sat. My biggest issue is that I need to disassemble almost everything on the front of the engine to get to the pump. Timing belt, cam and injection pump pulleys, crank pulley, etc. If anything goes wrong this will be a nightmare.
 
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jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Generous offer, but I've ordered from the UK, so I should have it by Sat. My biggest issue is that I need to disassemble almost everything on the front of the engine to get to the pump. Timing belt, cam and injection pump pulleys, crank pulley, etc. If anything goes wrong this will be a nightmare.
Yikes, that sucks! I wonder what they were thinking when they designed that. Make sure you mark everything, and take lots of pics before disassembly!

Again, if you need anything or any help, let me know. I'm only 25 minutes from there, and I enjoy going there for pizza or whatever.
 

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Make sure you get all the gaskets etc you might need.
Excellent point! I was stuck the same way once, about 12 or 15 years ago, and when I picked up the water pump from a Kubota tractor dealer he said "do you want the gasket? It's a buck ($1). Wow, am I glad he did!
 

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,186
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Geesh, Rich; sorry to read about your issue. I assume you have already checked for well-regarded independent mechanics?
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,771
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Or is this the Pump... I hope not because changing it is a PITA!

Screenshot 2023-06-15 at 11.38.25 AM.png


Jim...
 
Feb 10, 2004
4,140
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
Geesh, Rich; sorry to read about your issue. I assume you have already checked for well-regarded independent mechanics?
No, I only checked the couple VP service dealers near me. One dealer only deals with gasoline models and the other one wouldn't work on old engines. She told me mine was obsolete!
How would I find an independent mechanic? Of course today I rented a car and did a round trip to my home and picked up every tool I thought I might need, including the special tools that I machined to enable changing the timing belt.
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,771
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Have you changed yours out?
Not yet, I am still trying to bump my engine over tomorrow, still on the hard. Engine hours about 2800 .

But I have easy access to belt side

vpaccess.jpeg

Good luck
Jim...
 
Jan 7, 2014
451
Beneteau 45F5 51551 Port Jefferson
Rich, I just replace the timing belt on my VP MD22 it was fairly easy. see the thread here:


There is also a link to a jeanneau forum with an excellent write up. You will need to lock the fly wheel with a dowel (drill bit), the cam shaft with another dowel and the fuel injector pulley with 2 threaded bolts. call me if have questions - I'll text you my number
 
Jan 12, 2019
111
Hunter 340 Narragansett
I feel your frustration and wish you well. As a side note I was wondering, would having a Sea Tow, Safe Sea or the like membership been of any benefit to you?
I know they won’t repair the boat but would they tow you back to your home port from the distance you are describing? Making the repair a little less involved as far as access to tools, home port and local mechanic.
If that doesn’t fit into your sail plan and your going on further from Onset, then this is a mute point.
Just curious if these tow services are designed for the long tow scenario or just local and would have helped.
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,771
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Rich knows, he sent me instructions on timing belt installation