View Full Version : Volvo engine reliability??
Dick Auge
04-17-2007, 12:40 am
We are looking at a 1980 Islander 30 with Volvo engine. I have heard that they are not a good engine and that they are very expensive to repair. Would appreciate any comments.r566
are not good? I have a 1968 Islander that I choose to power with a volvo model 2001 diesel single cylinder engine. It has been in service for seven years and has needed oil changes every 50 hours and every fall. I rebuilt the water pump and replaced the thermostat once and the impeller twice. There are boats running with diesels of every flavor and if they have been in service for twenty-five years they are either still reliable or worn out. But All engines are expensive to repair becauce labor is expensive.
Dick Auge
04-17-2007, 01:09 am
How much did it cost you to repower?
1998 with new fuel tank, racor fuel filter exhaust system, thru-hull and seacock, raw water filter, Battery cables, new drive shaft,coupling and Drive Saver. I installed new bed logs and the engine cost included the transmission. I do all of my own work so I can't tell you about labor cost.
I have a Bahama 30 with an MD7A, the same engine you have. After 25 years they get a little tired, if is used in salt water, you may have cooling problems. There are good posts on the sailnet Islander web site about this issue. Compression on a diesel is important, mine is getting low, so I will need to think about a valve job, or repower. They are good engines, but expensive to repair as the parts are mostly propritary.
April123
05-16-2007, 02:24 am
I have a 1975 Islander 30. When I got her almost 2 years ago, I noticed that the water was just not coming out the transom the way it should... I put in new impeller, and new water hoses, I also put in a new water muffler...this helped but my temperature gauge just did not fluctuate enough... so I opened up the thermostat housing... YUCK! It was solid goop! I gave the engine a "Vinegar Douche" over night and proceeded to take out the thermostat and totally cleaned out the housing... this took a while... but the results were great. The engine does not smoke and it starts up right away... I also had the fuel tank pumped out and cleaned... I know the parts are expensive but these things go and go.... yeah my compression is getting a bit low...not bad though... April
April123
05-16-2007, 02:24 am
I have a 1975 Islander 30. When I got her almost 2 years ago, I noticed that the water was just not coming out the transom the way it should... I put in new impeller, and new water hoses, I also put in a new water muffler...this helped but my temperature gauge just did not fluctuate enough... so I opened up the thermostat housing... YUCK! It was solid goop! I gave the engine a "Vinegar Douche" over night and proceeded to take out the thermostat and totally cleaned out the housing... this took a while... but the results were great. The engine does not smoke and it starts up right away... I also had the fuel tank pumped out and cleaned... I know the parts are expensive but these things go and go.... yeah my compression is getting a bit low...not bad though... April