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Volvo engine

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Created by sailorsilas > 9 months ago, 1 Oct 2021
sailorsilas
88 posts
1 Oct 2021 4:07PM
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Does anyone know the cost to recon a MD2030 Volvo engine with new starter etc?
thanks

Ramona
NSW, 7732 posts
1 Oct 2021 6:18PM
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sailorsilas said..
Does anyone know the cost to recon a MD2030 Volvo engine with new starter etc?
thanks


Search out a Chinese one off eBay. Should be about $200.

Ramona
NSW, 7732 posts
1 Oct 2021 6:21PM
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I presume your looking for a new starter motor for your MD2030?

sailorsilas
88 posts
1 Oct 2021 6:03PM
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Ramona said..
I presume your looking for a new starter motor for your MD2030?


I can't find anywhere on the net that gives a price for a full rebuild inc the things that hang off the motor. So asking here if anyone knows

Azure305
NSW, 402 posts
1 Oct 2021 8:11PM
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Check the 2nd link provided above by FabPhil.
I reckon it might be difficult to find anyone to fully rebuild what you've got for that sort of money. (anyone pls correct me if im wrong) Has warranty as well, and you could message them for a quote on yours if exchanging doesn't suit you.
I see they have a D1-30 available as well.

Ilenart
WA, 250 posts
1 Oct 2021 10:45PM
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This link below gives the cost of a rebuild kit @ US$542. With freight and exchange rate would assume it would be approx A$1,000. With removal, reinstallation and labour (say 20 hours @ $150 per hour) thats $4,000 already. This sort of estimate I would add a 20% contingency, so you are up to $5,000. That does not include new starter, alternator, etc. So you could easily spend $5-8k. Really depends on what needs to be replaced / rebuilt and what is ok.

www.parts4engines.com/volvo-penta-md2030-engine-overhaul-kit/

Ramona
NSW, 7732 posts
2 Oct 2021 8:05AM
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sailorsilas said..

Ramona said..
I presume your looking for a new starter motor for your MD2030?



I can't find anywhere on the net that gives a price for a full rebuild inc the things that hang off the motor. So asking here if anyone knows


The MD2030 is not built by Volvo it's one of many engines that are sold under different names. If your after a full rebuild perhaps you should tell us what's the problem with the one you have. It might be just a "mechanic " calling the engine stuffed when it is something minor. It's unlikely to be worn out.

coxeng.co.uk/engine/yacht-engine-derivations/

sailorsilas
88 posts
2 Oct 2021 10:59AM
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Ilenart said..
This link below gives the cost of a rebuild kit @ US$542. With freight and exchange rate would assume it would be approx A$1,000. With removal, reinstallation and labour (say 20 hours @ $150 per hour) thats $4,000 already. This sort of estimate I would add a 20% contingency, so you are up to $5,000. That does not include new starter, alternator, etc. So you could easily spend $5-8k. Really depends on what needs to be replaced / rebuilt and what is ok.

www.parts4engines.com/volvo-penta-md2030-engine-overhaul-kit/

Thanks Illenart,
that's exactly what I needed.

sailorsilas
88 posts
2 Oct 2021 11:01AM
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Ramona said..

sailorsilas said..


Ramona said..
I presume your looking for a new starter motor for your MD2030?




I can't find anywhere on the net that gives a price for a full rebuild inc the things that hang off the motor. So asking here if anyone knows



The MD2030 is not built by Volvo it's one of many engines that are sold under different names. If your after a full rebuild perhaps you should tell us what's the problem with the one you have. It might be just a "mechanic " calling the engine stuffed when it is something minor. It's unlikely to be worn out.

coxeng.co.uk/engine/yacht-engine-derivations/

Thanks Ramona,
looking at purchasing a boat and the motor appears to have seized. Looking at options of rebuilding, Re powering etc. I couldn't find too much on the net, but have it now!

Ramona
NSW, 7732 posts
2 Oct 2021 5:18PM
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If the boat has been sitting around for awhile it could be something very simple giving the impression it's seized. A socket on the crankshaft pulley and a long breaker bar and just rock it gently back and forward. The engine in my new yacht has a Kubota that spent months under water, no water got inside but a bit of rust on the flywheel gave the impression it was seized. The engine runs now like a new one. It's actually a new engine that the previous owner could not get too for a long time after a car accident.
If it is seized then a litre or so of diesel soaking in the cylinders is cheaper than a rebuild.

MattM14
NSW, 190 posts
5 Oct 2021 10:36AM
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Very interested in this topic but it raises some questions for me. Keep in mind I am a complete non-mechanic.

So I have been nursing my current engine along on life support for years now. It gets used infrequently as my opportunities for sailing have significantly decreased in the past few years. when it is used it is really just to get on and off the mooring. Anyway, I am reaching the conclusion that I am going to have to bite the bullet and look at options for repowering. The yacht is a Swanson 32.

The current engine has been in the boat since launch in 1985. Not certain what model it is but it's a Volvo Penta raw water cooled stern drive. In the discussion above there is reference to "the bits that hang off the engine" and it would seem from the comments that there is considerable expense associated with these. I had seen those reconditioned engines and for 3-5k was encouraged enough to think that this may provide a viable option that was within my limited budget.

So with a reconditioned engine like that, what else would be needed to be factored into the cost? Anybody got any estimates on the $$ of these? I understand that any replacement engine will be limited by the space it has to fit into and the existing engine mounts (or require modification of these).

Thanks for your input.

Ramona
NSW, 7732 posts
5 Oct 2021 10:57AM
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Is the engine an MD7a? Is the flywheel on the front like a marine engine?

MattM14
NSW, 190 posts
5 Oct 2021 11:30AM
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Ramona said..
Is the engine an MD7a? Is the flywheel on the front like a marine engine?


Yes, flywheel is on the front. It has the capability to manually crank start if the batteries die.

garymalmgren
1353 posts
5 Oct 2021 1:38PM
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So I have been nursing my current engine along on life support for years now.


Hi Matt
What exactly is your problem.
1, Hard starting?
2. Rough running?
3. Sudden stopping.
4. Smokey?
5. All of the above

gary

Ramona
NSW, 7732 posts
5 Oct 2021 5:54PM
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MattM14 said..

Ramona said..
Is the engine an MD7a? Is the flywheel on the front like a marine engine?



Yes, flywheel is on the front. It has the capability to manually crank start if the batteries die.


Sounds like a md7a or 7b. When you mention stern drive do you mean shaft drive or saildrive? With regular engine flushes of the raw water cooling with acid these engines will last a very long time. There are two versions of the injector pumps and one is apparently less trouble than the other. Plenty of workshop manuals online and plenty of Youtube videos.

MattM14
NSW, 190 posts
7 Oct 2021 6:07PM
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garymalmgren said..
So I have been nursing my current engine along on life support for years now.


Hi Matt
What exactly is your problem.
1, Hard starting?
2. Rough running?
3. Sudden stopping.
4. Smokey?
5. All of the above

gary


Hi Gary,
Good questions - when I pause to think about it, it's probably none of the above. My comment about life support probably reflects a sense of confidence in the engine which is (possibly) unjustified. It still starts ok, and runs fine. I have often felt that it is a little underpowered for the boat but this is (obviously) helped by having a clean hull and prop. It's due for haul out now so quite a lot of growth. the age can make parts difficult to come by.

Back to my confidence - I know the engine is old. A couple of separate mechanics have noted to me that they can keep it going when things go wrong but they are nursing it along and it will soon be time to consider options for replacement. I have had a couple of experiences where the engine has stopped at very inconvenient times / situations (most recent was a fuel pump issue) and that has been a bit tense. A couple of those experiences and I'm left second guessing each outing if this will be the next time something fails.

So i guess what I am saying is I would like to have an engine I had confidence in rather than one I feel I don't want to ever have to be relying on when I really need it.

MattM14
NSW, 190 posts
7 Oct 2021 6:09PM
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Ramona said..

MattM14 said..


Ramona said..
Is the engine an MD7a? Is the flywheel on the front like a marine engine?




Yes, flywheel is on the front. It has the capability to manually crank start if the batteries die.



Sounds like a md7a or 7b. When you mention stern drive do you mean shaft drive or saildrive? With regular engine flushes of the raw water cooling with acid these engines will last a very long time. There are two versions of the injector pumps and one is apparently less trouble than the other. Plenty of workshop manuals online and plenty of Youtube videos.


Thanks Ramona,

Sorry I meant shaft drive.

I'll have a look for some vids on the flushing with acid.

Cheers,


Matt

woko
NSW, 1757 posts
7 Oct 2021 7:52PM
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Matt, if it starts good & runs good doesn't burn oil, you've already replaced the lift pump, and its possible to crank start, your on a winner, flush the engine block as suggested put an impeller in the water pump change the oil and enjoy

garymalmgren
1353 posts
7 Oct 2021 4:57PM
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You beat me to it Woko.
My sentiments exactly.

gary

woko
NSW, 1757 posts
7 Oct 2021 8:43PM
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The wee little diesel motors with occasional service especially the way they are worked in a sail vessel, (compared to say a pint sized tractor and the opportunity for abuse in that application) could have a phenomenal life expectancy. I imagine number 1 cause of catastrophic failure would be being swamped for a continuous period and number 2 no engine oil

Ramona
NSW, 7732 posts
8 Oct 2021 8:39AM
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You should by now have installed an electric fuel pump [12v] ahead of the primary filter to aid in priming. Just jumper it to the battery for the priming. If your having lift pump problems just leave the 12v pump running full time. They are about $15 on eBay. They will last a very longtime. The Kubota in my boat is almost new but I put a 12v pump in to prime. Small alligator jumper leads made up ready in the chart table to jumper power to the pump if needed.
Good clean diesel and a system that keeps the water out of the fuel, occasional coolant passage clean and these engines will last a long time.

garymalmgren
1353 posts
8 Oct 2021 6:50AM
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Good clean diesel and a system that keeps the water out of the fuel, occasional coolant passage clean and these engines will last a long time.

To that will add, Regular HARD/Fast running.



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"Volvo engine" started by sailorsilas