Re-power from Yanmar to Volvo

[Franklin]

three weeks ago when motoring the ring around the filter blew and spilled all the oil out of my yanmar 3jh2e engine. No warning went off so I continued to run the engine for another 5 or 10 minutes before it died because I didn't know anything was wrong. The mechanic took it apart and says it is totally ruined and would cost over 7gs to overhaul and says I should buy a new one at 9gs with a new transmition.Considering that it was a yanmar filter that caused all this (And yes, it was put on right when I changed the oil 5 months ago) and that yanmar keeps changing everything about their engines**, I am thinking of going with a Volvo D2-40. Any advice, warnings or anything on the Volvo engines? The mechanic says they are much better engines. The weight seems the same and the price is only $100 more then the new yanmar.** The 3jh2e has 4 different types of mixing elbow, 2 types of raw water pumps, and lots of other issues like the heat exchanger is from a 3jh2te and I can't even get a new 3jh2e anymore because they don't make them. The new model is the 3ym40 which has a 3" exhauste and mine is a 2".

 

[Franklin]

oh yeah...need to make the decision quickly

so don't hold back

 

[Capt J]

Stupid Statement

Franklin, I may be making a stupid statement but..... In a previous life I was in the business and the Volvo is a good engine as I believe Yanmar is. The difference is the cost of parts like water pumps etc. and Volvo used to be much higher. You need to check and see what that situation is today. What you pay for certain products up front is not the cost difference, but what it costs to maintain after the initial purchase. Hope this helps.

 

[OldCat]

Diesel Engine Trader?

Have you checked dieselenginetrader.com?You might be able to use your current engine as core on a reconditioned engine. It might be cheaper?

 

[Steve Dion]

I would stay away from Volvo

Franklin:I would stay away from the Volvo. Check the archives. There was a discussion on this a few weeks ago.My experience with friends that have them are as follows: they smoke, are hard to start & burn excessive oil. Granted these are older motors, but have less hours than my good ol' 2GM20F which had none of these symptoms.Being this was a Yanmar oil filter have you persued your complaint with them. Most of the filter mfg. stand behind their products.

 

[Ross]

Franklin, Some time ago I decided to

check on diesel engines certified for life boat service. The study is a real eye opener.http://cgmix.uscg.mil/Equipment/OnlineDocs/EngineList.pdfPretty good link. All opinions aside if the engine is approved for lifeboat service I think it will serve well in a pleasure boat.

 

[Franklin]

sds (don't ask)

I really am hating this. Why can't anybody make anything simple. So your saying if it were you, you'd re-do your exhaust, including drilling a larger thru-hull to a 3" and go with the Yanmar and deal with their inconsistancy and crappy dealers over the more simpiler Volvo. Damn. Just when I thought I had it figured out.As far as contacting Yanmar, they seem to want to keep their distance from the end users and tell you to use the dealers. I hate that. Besides, I'm sure because my engine is 10 years old that they are just going to say that the oil pressure warning should have gone off and you should have turned the engine off and none of that is are fault.

 

[Ross]

Franklin, You don't need an exhaust through

hull any larger than the exit port on your muffler. I can't imagine a twenty horse engine needing a three inch exhaust pipe. They ain't that big on a pick-up truck.

 

[Don]

engine choice

You should read some of the comments left in the archives from Volvo engine users - pretty enlightening...Since no one else asked the obvious question, guess I will - why didn't the engine oil pressure warning go off? If it wasn't working, I guess the next obvious question is why you believe it would have had you been running a Volvo?Don

 

[Ross]

I suppose that some Volvo engine users

have had issues with volvo engines. I haven't so I don't know about the others. I installed a 2001 series engine in 1998 and have used it every summer since then with no problems at all. It starts, runs, shifts when I demand a change in direction and shuts off when I pull the stop. I wish that changing the oil filter wasn't so messy but that is my only gripe.

 

[Rick D]

Give Beta Marine A Thought

Since you are going to repower with a non-Yanmar, you may want to consider a Beta Marine Kobuta. A popular repower in our neck of the woods, but mostly from gas or much older diesels. See the link. Rick D.

 

[Ross]

I looked closely at Beta and chose

Volvo mostly out of name recognition and my experience with the cars. Kabota makes an extradinary engine. I don't think that the modern Volvos are made in Sweden but I could be wrong about that.

 

[Steve Dion]

well, if you are going to shop....

Franklin:Well if you are going to start shopping, I would also have you look at a Bukh. These are from Denmark. One of the very few marine only designs.I would still pursue Yanmar about the filter. The price of the engine is only the tip of the iceberg. You will probably have motor mounts, shafts, props ....... You may be looking at 50-75% more for the removal and installation of the engine.If you do not want to deal with the factory, check with the Yanmar Distributor for your territory.

 

[Cap'n Ron]

The "Rolls Royce" of sailboat engines

Hey there Franklin, I dislike stepping on fragile fingers...;-) nevertheless a dialogue, meaning different opinions, is a good way to help separate the cahff from the wheat.Cap J has one part spot on! Volvo parts have become like gold over the years, and not all that easy to come by in remote areas, whereas Yanmar can be found in timy marine stores in Va'vauu and the Marquesaas...Volvo use to be like the Rolls of sailboat engines, but they kinda let they're suppliers, dealers,and service go to hell. They are a good engine, but in my dealings and many deliveries I have had I have had some troubles with Volvos, but Yanmars I had one major problem with one out of say 50 +... this one was 'making oil' that's when the diesel leaks through (it was the fuel pump seal on this one)into the pan, and the dip stick has mucho shiny clean oil on it way above what the 'full' mark reads. That one was repaired for a song.I haven't heard anything negative on Universals, and I have had no trouble with them either, I like a perkins too, and they are not hard to find parts for."Cest la Vie...

 

[Rick I]

I will never get a boat with a Volvo

Had one once, a 2003, it was a terrible engine. Got it in 1988, Volvo said it was "state of the art". I found out it was more like experimental. Had mechanics all down the east coast work on it. None of them could make it run right. Soon after the 2000 series they started using Japanese blocks in their marine diesels. That was the 20 series. Now they've got the D series. The only guy I met with one of these (think it was a D55) had to get a modifications, they had to drill holes in it, to make the cooling system right. Volvo said it was an "enhancement". I've also had three Yanmars, a couple of 3GM's and a 4JH. Quite satisfied with them.

 

[sailaway78]

Yanmar vs Volvo

Just call around and try to find a fairly commone part for each one. An injector or something like that. Will find your answer pretty quick. And why are you blaming Yanmar. And why are you buyint a Yanmar filter anyway. Just like to spend money. They are made by Fram, Purolator, or someone else. Just cost twice as much. I run Purolator on mine, because they are priced right, and I don't have to run thirty miles each way to get a yanmar filter.

 

[Franklin]

Well....update...

The isn't room for a 3 inch exhaust in my boat so that means that either a) I go with the Volvob) I have my existing engine rebuilt for a thousand less then a new enginec) I go with the new Yanmar without the warenty and possibly ruining the engine because of the backpressure.I really don't know what to do. I don't like engines with glow plugs so that leaves Volvo out. I don't like ruining engines so that leaves a new Yanmar out. I don't like having to pay for a new engine and only getting a rebuilt that only has a 90 warenty.

 

[Rick D]

It Makes No Sense To Rebuild

for a $1K difference, even tho I did just that. The only thing you have to factor is modifying or changing out the shaft and prop, wiring and exhaust and motor mounting hardware if not included. Hard to see how that could be over $1K more once you are already in it with the engine out. No nice answer. Rick D.

 

[Honeyman]

Sorry...

Volvo's suck as a marine engine. I'm thinking you must have done something to the oil filter on your engine that caused it to fail. I've had 2 Yanmars that stood up to a LOT of abuse, and LOTS of hours of operation with absolutely NO problems. And yes, what about that oil pressure warning device?!!!

 

[Waffle]

One of my FEW complains about Hunter

they install the cheap motor instrument panel with the crappy idiot lights. I called Hunter about this and they told me they could build me a new Hunter and install the instrument panel with gauges if I pay for the upgrade. The fact that boat consumer has pays for this expensive boat with idiot lights is outrageous. Charge me $1000 more for the better panel!Franklin, sorry to hear about your engine! That stinks. I think it will be ok after you fix the seal. Everyone says you can't kill a Yanmar!