Volvo Penta with "V" Drive - any good???

[Dave Osborne]

I am considering purchasing a 323 Pearson with the Volvo Penta 23 hp "MD11C" dsl motor & Vee Drive. The meter says there are 2300 hrs of use. Does anyone have any experience with these setups? Is 2300 hrs a lot for a 1982 boat? Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks all.Dave

 

[Brian Pickton of BeneteauOwners.net]

Don't like'em

Jan.28,2001Dear Dave,I haven't owned one but have enough friends who have and have helped work on enough of them to tell you that I wouldn't own a boat with Volvo motors. They are cheap for builders to install (Volvo practically sells them at cost) and expensive to maintain, and break a lot. Water pumps, etc cost up to twice what you would pay on a Perkins for example. We just helped a catamaran replace their morse controls and the Volvo cables, levers and housings, which were plastic, cost over a $1000.00. The seal leaks between the engine and V-drive and can't be fixed without pulling the motor. The transmission is slipping on the other engine and has to be pulled to repair. No thanks. If you want a confirmation of my prejudice check out the various equipment surveys where Volvos perpetually rate poorly.Fair winds,Brian Pickton, of BeneteauOwners.net, Aboard The Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia

 

[clive]

I like my MD7A

I have a 1983 13hp 2 cyl MD7A with aftermarket FWC and the saildrive; about 1100 engine hours. I'm happy with mine, which is simple, reliable and hasn't needed major work since it was new, even though it did have an owner who did no maintenance for 3 years. It runs smoothly cleanly and quietly, which is more than can be said of most of the small sailboat engines at our marina. My understanding is that many of these small volvo diesels (including mine) were actually built for Volvo by Perkins in the UK.It seems to me that in looking at an elderly boat you should be asking how well the engine has been looked after, first and foremost -because water, lack of lubrication and inadequate cooling will destroy any engine quickly given the opportunity. 2300 hours isn't that much as long as the engine has been maintained. My 10 cents worth:(i) look at the engine. Does it look like it has been maintained?(ii) is it accessible so you can check coolant, oil, shut off through hulls, change filters, get at shaft seal etc ?(iii) make sure it is cold before you go for the survey/marine trial, so you can get an accurate idea of just how well it starts. Don't let the owner/agent start it before you get there on the day of the sea trial/survey.(iv) remember that these diesels are made up of two things - compression and fuel delivery. Inadequate compression is very expensive to fix. (v) Go and talk to an engine mechanic who sells parts for/services a variety of engines (including Volvo). Ask them, and they'll probably tell you that the old volvos are fine if serviced and cared for - just like other old engines. If not looked after they're expensive -just like the other small boat diesels. They may charge you 60 or 100 dollars to check the engine as part of the survey. This will usually be a visual inspection and a guess about compression based on how long it takes to start the beast.(vi) Ask the Volvo Penta dealer if he/she can get parts for the model you're considering. Parts haven't been a problem for me - yet.... Good luck and good sailing.

 

[Jim Cook]

Clive !!! Do you have a manual???

I likewise have an MD7A in my O'Day '27, but I have no manual. Do you have a manual, and if so, can I get a copy? I'll be happy to pay copy costs and postage.Thanks