Replacing Yanmar

D

Dab3750

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2019
Messages
50
Fluid Motion Model
C-30 S
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2918j011
Vessel Name
Selkie
Due to an engine failure I will be replacing a the Yanmar in our 2011 Ranger Tug 29 with a VOLVO PENTA D4-270 WITH ZF68 GEARBOX. I talked to the Ranger Folks and they recommended the Volvo D4 engine. Looking for issues to avoid with the new install. Any prop issues?
 
Hi,
Did they recommend that engine? I was talking to Andrew at the New England Boat show about why they changed over to Volvo he had many reasons. He did tell me that had to modify the molds so it would fit in so I would double check with RT.

Boaty
 
Yes I talked to RT and they said the D4 270 will fit. The newer RT must have a different configuration. The Yanmar engine is no longer made. I also had the mechanic doing the install do measurements to verify the D4 will fit. I talked to Kenny Marrs
Customer Service Manager.
 
What happen to the Yanmar?
 
Failure post Ian.
 
Get ready to pay a premium for parts$$$$. I have the D4 260hp Volvo in my C28 and I can purchase 5-6 oil filters for my Cummins diesel for the price of one Volvo filter. Those Swede engine manufacturers must love the parts more than me because they sure don't want to give them up without an extremely high markup.
Heat exchanges, filters, even down to "priority " bolt sizes.....next engine will be anything besides a Volvo.
Just my opinion.
CaptT
 
CaptT":2hhs75tr said:
Get ready to pay a premium for parts$$$$.
Click to expand...
It's all relative. We had the Yanmar in our R25 and paid premium prices for parts from the Ranger Tug dealer because I couldn't find another local source. Now we have the Volvo Penta in our R29 and get better prices from a local Volvo Penta shop.
Shop around.
 
Don't under estimate the cost to engineer a different engine into your boat. Last year I replaced a Volvo Penta with a Yanmar in my RT25SC; the cost to engineer/build systems was over 1/2 the cost of the engine. Things to consider: mounting the new engine to assure proper alignment with propeller shaft and still fit within the compartment; the exhaust system is critical to safety and engine performance which will probably need to be redesigned; engine controls electronic or manual will have a significant cost difference; depending on engine HP and gear ratio may require some expermentation with different propeller size to get boat performance and engine design max rpm correct; and mounting controls and tie into boat electronics at helm; these items will drive your overall cost.

Good luck with your re-power!
 
I have to agree with dclagett. The discovery work in an engine refit can be expensive. It normally is not a plug and play. Shaft size ,shaft angle, larger thru hull for cooling, Propping, wiring and controls, exhaust configuration, engine bed clearances. The list can go on and even the best marine technician will not find the issue until he gets to it. Many times this requires 1 step forward and two steps back at $100.00 per hour labor +. Most of the control cabling is installed in a boat before the deck goes on. The engine is installed before the deck goes on. Everything is in place and it is plug and play. This is not the case on an engine refit. I have done a few gas powered conversions to diesel in larger boats. The jobs were successful and customers were happy with the boats performance. It did take them a while to justify the cost. I'm not sure they ever did come to terms with that. It was expensive and the cost of Labor was much higher than you would think. I have done many engine replacements of the same manufacture and same power plant because of engine failures or freeze damage. The in like kind engine replacements are usually plug and play. This is by far the better way to go.

The D4 is a good engine. The Yanmar is too so your not really going for better quality just apples to apples in my opinion. The one item that you should address regardless of which engine you go with is the Seawater thru hull, strainer and plumbing. Install a larger size. In my opinion all Rangers and Cutwaters are running minimum sized raw water plumbing. My Cutwater ran 20F warmer at 3600 to 4000 rpm than 2200 rpm. It should not change more than 5F from idle to WOT when an engine reaches running temperature controlled by a thermostats. If it does there is something wrong.I have a pair of 4LHA STP Yanmars in my 34 Pilot. After reaching thermostat operating temperature, at idle, 1200 rpm,1800 rpm, 2600 rpm, 2900 rpm they are running at 175F. When I push the throttles to Max 3400 the temps climb 5F to 180 and it just stay's there moving slightly cooler then back to 180F. 1 1/2" thru hull and plumbing is the minimum recommendation for 150 hp or higher in my opinion.
 
Yanmar doesn’t make the engine anymore. With the space Volvo was the only fit. I have had boats with Volvos before so I agree with the cost issue for parts. The new tugs have a supercharger that’s gives them 300. The thru hull issues I leave to the mechanics. I’m just glad the insurance has agreed to the solution.
 
Magic Words "IAN" and "Insurance".... Glad you are getting help.

Bill
 
Yes, insurance is the magic word. However, if you have a quote from the yard doing the work and insurance has agreed, be ready to go back to the insurance company if the quote is not firm. Brian is correct, until one gets into the re-power the cost is in question. I know from experience.

Good luck in the repower.
 
Ok it’s been awhile but here is the update. The Volvo folks still have not come up with a delivery date but estimates are post December. I agree there are lots of possible problems. The insurance folks are really being better than expected. They told the mechanic to order the new engine and transmission/instruments. The lead time is the long pole in the tent. I put the boat on the hard for the hurricane season. My last boat was Volvo powered so I agree there will be a parts increase in cost. The bottom line for me when this is over I will have a quasi new boat. I hope to be back on the water 2024. I’ll let you all know how it goes.
 
keep us posted on progress!
 
Yep volvo parts are nuts. just did my own oil change on my d4 in brewerton ny. The parts and oil to service the engine and gear ready for this 540.00. I did replace fuel filters as well but ouch!
 
The delays continue. FL is definitely experiencing a supply chain problem. So far we can’t even get Volvo to give us any estimate on the new engine/transmission. The mechanic is actually going to the vendor office next week to talk to an actual human to see what the problem is and when they can deliver.
 
Dab3750 said:
The delays continue. FL is definitely experiencing a supply chain problem. So far we can’t even get Volvo to give us any estimate on the new engine/transmission. The mechanic is actually going to the vendor office next week to talk to an actual human to see what the problem is and when they can deliver.
Click to expand...
 
So do you have the rest of the story? Possibly looking to do the same thing on a 29....
 
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