Access to front of Volvo D3

[Kim and Ed]

I’ve been meaning to do this since the last time I changed the impeller on my Volvo D3. Trying to do it blind, one handed with my head and shoulders stuffed in cavity slightly smaller than my head and shoulders I care not to try again. So I routed out the top of the step, made an accurate template and built a new removable tread to match the tabletop detail. I will add a matching carpet runner to the center of the tread. Here’s a few pics of the process in my album.

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[Brian B]

Great mod, looks too nice to be stepped on. Is it held in place by the screws on the riser?

 

[Kim and Ed]

Thanks Brian. The front unscrews and the tread is attached from underneath. I also stuffed the cavity with fibreglass batt insulation to help with sound abatement. I am using a piece of the marine carpet to upholster a runner pad on the tread.
Impeller inspection/ replacement has to be one of the worst regular maintenance jobs on the R27. This will help immensely.
Ed/

 

[sixesriver]

Hi Ed,

I was thinking about doing the same mod on my 2013 R27, but it looked to me that even if I removed the tread, i would still be blocked by the fuel tank, the board that mounts the Webasto control box, and all of the tubing to and from the fuel system. Did I miss something?
John

 

[Kim and Ed]

Hey John,
I disconnect the Webasto module and remove the panel it is mounted to.Keep something under the diesel feed tubes as there may be some leakage. With the back panel removed out from the port side things are now pretty clear. Access is not perfect but is a heck of a lot better. It allows me to get both arms and my head in to reach and see the bolts on the water pump. It certainly reduces the claustrophobia! Also keep a towel below the pump when changing the impeller as you are sure to drop a bolt or the spanner(wrench). The towel will keep a civil tongue in your head.
Ed/

 

[sixesriver]

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the clarification. I can already hear my saw cutting away the tread!
Yes, anything held in the hand in the engine compartment is guaranteed to fall below the oil pan and end up in the exact center. Now I tie a string around every tool and part that I'm using while in the compartment.
I know Ranger has been building boats for 20 years, but someday I would hope that they lengthened the boat by a foot and provided the necessary room to get at all of the parts on the front of the engine.
Thanks again, Ed for your response.
John