Volvo Penta diesel mechanics in the Norfolk, VA area?
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Hi,
we also have Volvo Penta. Lots of people will discourage you, since parts for Volvo are very expensive. Look especially on mounts, which tend to be very light and brake (ours did). Don't hire a specialist Volvo Penta mechanic unless you know he's really good. We had extremely bad experience with professionals from Volvo. I would find "normal" marine diesel mechanic that does lot of work for "normal" people with "normal" size engines. Other than that Volvo's are good (regardless what people say). Good luck.
we also have Volvo Penta. Lots of people will discourage you, since parts for Volvo are very expensive. Look especially on mounts, which tend to be very light and brake (ours did). Don't hire a specialist Volvo Penta mechanic unless you know he's really good. We had extremely bad experience with professionals from Volvo. I would find "normal" marine diesel mechanic that does lot of work for "normal" people with "normal" size engines. Other than that Volvo's are good (regardless what people say). Good luck.
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201 Posts
Mechanic in Norfolk, VA
Try AALL Marine - (757) 295 3052 ask for Mike Monteith, he is also a sailor and prices accordingly.
Try AALL Marine - (757) 295 3052 ask for Mike Monteith, he is also a sailor and prices accordingly.
Jorg :
I have got a Volvo MD17C in my ship, from 1977.
It's not a bad motor, but the spare parts are ASTRONOMICALLY EXPENSIVE!!!!!
I mean out of sight.
In 1997, they wanted (then!) £1300 (about $2200) for an exhaust manifold, £300 (about $500) for a piston (they don't sell oversizes... you have to buy the piston and liner kit). The list goes on.... £49 for a final drive seal.... I found one for £3.50.
I WILL NEVER, EVER BUY ANOTHER SHIP WITH A VOLVO IN IT.
NEVER.
I advise you not to either.
The early motors (MD2, MD3, MD11, MD17) are sound enough... it really is a sound motor series..... it's just you will be close to insolvency if anything semi-major goes wrong. The third-generation motors, the 2000 series, did not have the same reputation for reliability, and fairly promptly, the Perkins-based "Volvo" motors followed.
Here is a wee summary..... Volvo-Penta engine overlook
Note the reference to "lunatically".
It's a pity about the prices. It does not have to be like this.
There are plenty of other fine engines around. I have always liked the look of the Kubota motors (one variant is the Beta Marine series). They are top-flight Japanese motors. Another good motor is the Perkins, or the British-built Lister Petter. A manifold for the Lister Petter 40 hp was about £185 back then, I remember.
I have no interest in the sale of any of these motors. I just don't want you to learn the Volvo parts lesson they way I have.
I have got a Volvo MD17C in my ship, from 1977.
It's not a bad motor, but the spare parts are ASTRONOMICALLY EXPENSIVE!!!!!
I mean out of sight.
In 1997, they wanted (then!) £1300 (about $2200) for an exhaust manifold, £300 (about $500) for a piston (they don't sell oversizes... you have to buy the piston and liner kit). The list goes on.... £49 for a final drive seal.... I found one for £3.50.
I WILL NEVER, EVER BUY ANOTHER SHIP WITH A VOLVO IN IT.
NEVER.
I advise you not to either.
The early motors (MD2, MD3, MD11, MD17) are sound enough... it really is a sound motor series..... it's just you will be close to insolvency if anything semi-major goes wrong. The third-generation motors, the 2000 series, did not have the same reputation for reliability, and fairly promptly, the Perkins-based "Volvo" motors followed.
Here is a wee summary..... Volvo-Penta engine overlook
Note the reference to "lunatically".
It's a pity about the prices. It does not have to be like this.
There are plenty of other fine engines around. I have always liked the look of the Kubota motors (one variant is the Beta Marine series). They are top-flight Japanese motors. Another good motor is the Perkins, or the British-built Lister Petter. A manifold for the Lister Petter 40 hp was about £185 back then, I remember.
I have no interest in the sale of any of these motors. I just don't want you to learn the Volvo parts lesson they way I have.
Joined
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52 Posts
Agree with Rockter
I have a Volvo engine in my boat. I have experienced the extremely high parts prices, but also the lack of availability of parts. This summer, my engine (at 700-750 hours) suffered 2 different breakdowns. The first one was when the freshwater pump pulley broke in half. Due to the fact that there was no wind that day, I was towed in. During the tow, I phoned the mechanic and he tried to find a new pump (in case we needed it) and a new pulley. Both had to come from Europe (we didn't order the pump as it was not needed).
Later in the summer, the engine had a total failure when a nut came off one of the con rods resulting in severe damage to the crankshaft (there is another post on this site for this one). For this repair, several of the parts had to come from Europe. Each time the part had to come from Europe, there was additional freight charged.
Volvo Canada has not exactly been good with their customer support.
My advise, avoid Volvo if you can.
Good luck,
Tom
I have a Volvo engine in my boat. I have experienced the extremely high parts prices, but also the lack of availability of parts. This summer, my engine (at 700-750 hours) suffered 2 different breakdowns. The first one was when the freshwater pump pulley broke in half. Due to the fact that there was no wind that day, I was towed in. During the tow, I phoned the mechanic and he tried to find a new pump (in case we needed it) and a new pulley. Both had to come from Europe (we didn't order the pump as it was not needed).
Later in the summer, the engine had a total failure when a nut came off one of the con rods resulting in severe damage to the crankshaft (there is another post on this site for this one). For this repair, several of the parts had to come from Europe. Each time the part had to come from Europe, there was additional freight charged.
Volvo Canada has not exactly been good with their customer support.
My advise, avoid Volvo if you can.
Good luck,
Tom
Joined
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1,000 Posts
Up the bay in Deltaville there is a GREAT diesel guy named Henry Lackey who installed a Volvo for me in an earlier boat. He is reasonable and knows his stuff if that is not too far out of the way for you.
Deltaville Diesel Co., Inc., Henry Lackey, PO Box 343, Deltaville 23043 804-776-6331
Deltaville Diesel Co., Inc., Henry Lackey, PO Box 343, Deltaville 23043 804-776-6331
Joined
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52 Posts
Volvo Repair Update
Jorgenl,
I am not trying to hijack this thread, but I will give Rockter a brief answer to his question. Sorry.
Rockter,
The engine has now been rebuilt, along with some additional "maintenance" items like a new exhaust elbow, rebuilding of the injectors, saildrive hull seal replaced, etc. It seems to be running well (so far only a few hours on it).
I intend to do a full update after everything is settled, but here is the short version so far. My hull and machinery insurance will provide "some coverage" for this failure and the invoice is in their hands now (minus of course any work not directly related to the failure). I am awaiting their response. I contacted Volvo Canada again, and they are a little more receptive than before the engineer's report. After much back and forth, they have verbally (will not put anything in writing) offered to cover the difference between what insurance pays and what I am "out of pocket" (for the breakdown). We will see, I still don't (completely) trust them.
I will update either on the old thread or create a new one once this is settled. I want to be fair to all parties and to insure that interested people are fully informed.
Tom
Jorgenl,
I am not trying to hijack this thread, but I will give Rockter a brief answer to his question. Sorry.
Rockter,
The engine has now been rebuilt, along with some additional "maintenance" items like a new exhaust elbow, rebuilding of the injectors, saildrive hull seal replaced, etc. It seems to be running well (so far only a few hours on it).
I intend to do a full update after everything is settled, but here is the short version so far. My hull and machinery insurance will provide "some coverage" for this failure and the invoice is in their hands now (minus of course any work not directly related to the failure). I am awaiting their response. I contacted Volvo Canada again, and they are a little more receptive than before the engineer's report. After much back and forth, they have verbally (will not put anything in writing) offered to cover the difference between what insurance pays and what I am "out of pocket" (for the breakdown). We will see, I still don't (completely) trust them.
I will update either on the old thread or create a new one once this is settled. I want to be fair to all parties and to insure that interested people are fully informed.
Tom
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