Volvo engines

[Paul]

Just checking to see what the satisfaction with this engine is with 40 hp and above.

 

[Peter Milne]

Paul,You will find several articles in the archives re: Volvo engines and their propensity to smoke big time.Our 50 Hp (Fondly known as "Old Smokey") blows an embarrassing amount of smoke on start up. I have repeatedly tried to discuss the problem with Volvo and only received cold silence.Also, parts (eg a water pump that blew after 400 hours) are incredibly expensive compared to other makes.Ergo, if you can avoid a Volvo engine, do so. If you are ordering a new boat, specify an engine make other than Volvo.Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron

 

[Rich Stidger]

Ditto: Smoke

I echo the Volvo problems. My dealer and Hunter spearheaded the replacement of my original new 50hp MD22L due to excessive smoking and a sheen of fuel on the water.The replacement engine smokes nearly as much but leaves no sheen. However, the water pump and the coolant cap have been replaced/rebuilt several times.Sick of rebuilding, I finally bought a new water pump this year with my own nickel ($230). At 140 hours, no failure (yet).Otherwise, the engine starts and runs great.

 

[George Kornreich]

mine too

I better put a "smoking prohibited" placard on my boat! I've got the MD22L 50 hp volvo also, and it smokes like crazy till it warms up, when it still blows a little smoke but not enough to be an embarasment at that point. I've heard all sorts of explanations from my mechanic and from Volvo, such as, "it leaves a bit more oil on the cylinder walls when it shuts down", and probably more accurately, that the valve guide seals are more prone to dry out when it is not used all the time. The suggested cure: "Go out and run the hell out of it for 10 hours." Hey, it's a SAILboat, right. Also have leaky radiator caps, (replaced at AutoZone a couple of times) but so far the water pump is OK. Anyway, it runs perfectly otherwise, so if the smoke problem is not terminal, I'm happy with it.