"free boat" gets a motor-1984 volvo 2000 series 28hp

[sailormanbigd]

hi all, just finalized a bid for a used diesel. The engine is clean and intact. It has a problem i thought i would bounce off you all. It is reported to be hard starting. The po said it never starts without releasing the compression. He also says that it turns over slow and was thinking about using a "SUPER" diesel battery to see if that helped but just replaced it with new yanmar. I don't know much about diesels. I will check it out-compression, have injectors tested/cleaned, change oil and filters, etc. Was just wondering if someone might know what the problem might be. He said that once the motor is warmed up it starts better. he even added a manifold heater to help it some. Once the motor is running it runs great-he says.
thanks, Patrick

 

[Steve Dion]

There is a starting sequence for Volvo's

There is a starting sequence for Volvo's but I do not know the exact steps. It may have been in the archieves.

 

[Rick I]

Unfortunately you have the worst diesel ever built

I know I had one. It never was any good from day one. The correct starting sequence is to put the throttle to half, pull the stop knob out and put back in, turn the key and start. According to the manual that's all that's required as when you kill the engine with the pull stop it sets the cold start. The internet in the mid to late eighties was just full of postings re these engines (2001,2002,2003,2003T) and how bad they were. It sounds like your compression is shot. The previous owner was smart in replacing it with a Yanmar. That's what I did too. Don't just take my word. Here's a sample http://www.info-center-online.com/boat/r_volvopenta2000eng.htm

 

[GuyT]

Turning over slow

could be from too much voltage drop in the starting wires.
I would check the gauge and length that he used.
After reading Yanmars manual, I realized that Hunter did not adhere to Yanmars recommendation of maximum length for 4 gauge wire on my boat. So, Boat manufacturers do not always get it right!
Battery cables to the engine are always a trade off between gauge and distance. Check the engine specs or the mfg. recommendations.

Good luck with your "new" Volvo diesel!

 

[Brian M H23]

sounds electrical

good luck!

 

[Ross]

I know Dick Vosbury and have talked to him on many occassions

about this serises of engine. He has never had a bad word for them. Boatdiesel .com has a forum for all marine diesel engines and a visit there will tell you that all engines are a cause for discussion. Yanmars seem to have a problem with an exhaust elbow. The Volvo 2003 was Lloyds approved for commercial lifeboat service. Buka and Lister-Petter are the current preferences.

 

[Steve Dion]

Try this!

The engine has an "automatic" cold start device. After you shut the engine down set the throttle at 1/2 throttle and pull the stop out and push back in. If you are close to the engine you should hear a "click" coming from the front, port side. The cold start is now engaged for your next start.

I suppose that you can do this when the engine is cold too.

 

[sailormanbigd]

ok now what

i have followed the link to the "BAD" regarding the 2000 series volvo engine. Very disheartenning, especially since i used a cash advance on credit card to buy it. Is there anyone out there that has one of these engines that actually like it and run it, and have gotten around the problems that are occurring with this motor? Patrick

 

[Steve Dion]

Nothing wrong with these engines.

Patrick:

There is nothing wrong with these engines in general. We know several folks with these engines. They tend to burn some oil and the parts are expensive, but if you get a good deal on the engine you can afford to put some money into them.

 

[CalebD]

Glad to hear from you Captain Patrick!

I am also glad to hear that you have a diesel engine for your boat. Now you just need to get better acquainted with it. A well maintained (loved) engine will treat you better than a disused one so you really need to get to know the devil.
I can't comment on which brands or models are better than others but a working diesel is a really good thing for you and your boat. Find the Volvo experts you can trust and run with it. For my Atomic 4 gas engine I use Moyer Marine who sell some of the parts used on other diesels (water pumps etc). They will speak to you personally on the phone: http://www.moyermarine.com/
Get the Nigel Caulder book: "Boatowners Mechanical & Electrical Manual". It will save you big boat bucks by allowing you to know and do more for your own engine. There are lots of moving and non-moving parts which you will want to get to know more about (pumps, grease caps, fuel filters, oil filters etc).
I also don't know if your engine has 'glow plugs' (a Universal engine feature) which heat up the cylinders but they can help getting the beast started. Another starting tip is to use WD40 (not ether or starting fluid spray) for a diesel. Spray it on the air intake after the cylinders (glow plugs) are warmed up and you should have ignition.
I doubt that you have the engine mounted in the boat yet so now is the time to clean it up and try it out. Once it is on the boat be careful not to flood the engine with water by cranking it too long with the raw water sea cock open.
Glad to hear that you are still working on your Morgan OI.
Keep us posted.

 

[sailormanbigd]

thanks

thank you all. i will update as things unfold. patrick