Disgusting

R

rayzickrick

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 20, 2014
Messages
112
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2108G314
Vessel Name
Andi Lee
download/file.php?id=608

For all you newer 21' owners this is not very good news. Maybe for some that live close to an authorized Volvo Penta dealership it's not a huge inconvenience but that is not the case with me. The first dealership that I called said, "we do not work on diesels". The second one I called is in Canada. He is checking on the service bulletin. I copied the link from Andrew Curtis who I messaged today and I am patiently waiting his response. In short the D1-30F (engine) does not meet the emissions regulation. Kind of makes me think of that whole Volkswagen mess. I love my boat and the engine that it came with. I just don't understand how something like this slips by people that are WAY smarter than myself.
 
I don't see how this compares to the VW thing in any way. VW deliberately covered up and was decietful in trying to fool emissions. I have a letter in hand from Volvo offering a new engine at no cost. I see that as a win anyway you look at it. The recall is voluntary, no need to participate. Your Volvo engine will run for the same lifetime whether or not you choose to replace.
 
@Ahab I have no such letter from Volvo Penta.(Yet) Paragraph 2 and 3 in the service bulletin are a little concerning. I do not want to void my warranty due to "Improper maintenance". I never said it was exactly like VW.
 
My letter indicates that participation is up to the owner and not required, and that there is no issue with engine performance if you choose not to participate, and that you have until July of 2019 to move on it should you decide to do so.
 
Ahab":b1gfvlse said:
I Your Volvo engine will run for the same lifetime whether or not you choose to replace.
Click to expand...

Very true. My D1-30 is a delight. Over three hundred hours with no problems. Doesn't smoke or use oil and the fuel useage can be covered with pocket change.

But, if I don't make the engine swap that VP is offering, in the time span that it's offered, and I decide to sell the boat I'll get royally screwed on resale value.
Who would even want a boat with an engine, no matter how good, that didn't meet EPA specs? I don't know about the legality of such a sale and I sure don't plan to find out the hard way.

VP isn't making the swap offer out of the goodness of their heart. EPA has them in a corner for non-compliance and this is their way out.

As soon as I find a VP dealer willing to make the swap...and this has become harder than I thought it would be... I'll be trading the old for the new. I sure hope the new D1-30 is as good an engine as the old one.
 
Thank you REO6205. I could not agree with you more. Resale on Ranger Tugs is a major reason I bought one. No one in their right mind would by one that is non emission compliant.
 
Well, things happen. There are far worse things. At least the company has agreed to replace the engine and then there is the inconvenience of being out of commission until it is done, but it is what it is. Much better than an airbag blowing up in your face.
 
knotflying: "Inconvenience" You got that right. It appears Green Bay Wisconsin is the closest authorized VP dealership that works on diesel engines. That's quite a haul for me. But, I am retired so maybe I'll just put a few more hours on the old engine and travel the Great Lakes to get there. I see in a previous post I said "by" instead of "Buy". I told you I was not the smartest apple in the crate.
 
rayzickrick":213y1fkx said:
knotflying: "Inconvenience" You got that right. It appears Green Bay Wisconsin is the closest authorized VP dealership that works on diesel engines. That's quite a haul for me. But, I am retired so maybe I'll just put a few more hours on the old engine and travel the Great Lakes to get there. I see in a previous post I said "by" instead of "Buy". I told you I was not the smartest apple in the crate.
Click to expand...

I would think that removing an engine and putting a new one in would be able to be done locally. Doesn't VP have people service the engines locally for you Ranger guys in the PNW? Something seems wrong about that answer. They can ship the new engine and have a local guy do it and send back the old one. For that matter there must be some "good ones" in stock that were shipped to Ranger.
Not good PR for VP!
 
I guess everyone's perspective on inconvenience having to drive a few hours is different. Going 440 miles each way to get service every time on our R25 Classic needs it sounds just about average. Minor work can be done in Portland 310 miles away and serious work needs to be done in Anacortes 535 miles each way. Knew about that maintenance logistical issue before we bought the boat. Our Journey in shop in Anacortes right now having completed it's 500 hour service. Driving up Sunday to pick it up!
Would I mind one or even two 860 mile trips to get a brand new 2017 zero time engine installed in my boat for free? Sign me up right now!! And, if I were in the mid-west, I'd probably try out the Green Bay boating area to make at least one of the two trips a bit more fun.
 
scross":16utbz10 said:
Would I mind one or even two 860 mile trips to get a brand new 2017 zero time engine installed in my boat for free? Sign me up right now!!
Click to expand...

In other words you want us to quit whining, right? 😀 We're not whining, we're just describing a situation. There's a difference. It's slight but it's there.
You're right, a free new engine is worth a little driving and spending some time on the project. Absolutely it is. Problem is, not all of us are retired or have a work schedule that allows us huge chunks of time off.
I've been trying to retire for the last two years but I seem to be working more now than ever. When I "retired" I thought that maybe I'd take one trip or so a month or maybe pick up a little boat delivery work when I felt like it. It's been a lot steadier than that. Now, instead of running one tug for one company on a predictable schedule I'm apt to get called for just about anything at any time. I turn down more work than I take but it's still busy. Last month I took a tug and barge to Panama. Next week I'll be in Alaska to pick up a boat for a broker. The week after that I'm due in Port Fourchon Louisiana to pick up another tug that's been sold foreign.
See? For some of us spare time is a luxury.
I like the idea of finding an independant marine mechanic locally. We have some good ones. VP doesn't care much for that idea. When I talked to them on the phone they said they'd "take the idea under advisement but weren't really in favor of such arrangement". In other words, probably not.
I should have some free time after the first of the year. Then we'll see.
.
 
REO6205 I'm retired too and I totally get the hard to find free time concept. I knew people from work who had no idea what they would do in retirement. I still have at least twice as much to do as I have time after 8 years of retirement!
I get VP wanting to do the replacement work. All kinds of financial and liability issues arise having an unknown 3rd party do the work.
Here's my question: Are you being reimbursed for reasonable expenses delivering your boat to their facility to get this work done? I would demand that!! Maybe you won't get your time reimbursed but as a class of owners you all should be demanding reasonable reimbursement for your out of pocket expenses. They said they would cover haul out expenses but are silent on anything else.
And, you have 22 months left to schedule this work. Surely on the off season, when you're not using the boat but when roads are still safe to trailer, you could get this done.
Good luck!
 
Resource for Volvo Penta owners with issues on the replacement. If your local contacts with VP are not being helpful, here's the boss:
Ron Huibers
CEO Volvo Penta of the Americas
1300 Volvo Penta Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23320
757-436-2800

PS: I still think this replacement engine offer is a good deal for those impacted. Just think that if VP is almost threating you with refusal to support your old engine if you don't have it replaced by July 2019, and that you must bring your boat to them for the replacement work, then VP should also cover your reasonable out of pocket costs to get the boat to them. Just my 2 cents.....
 
A fellow by the name of Andrew Sweet from VP called me the other day. Nice man. I mean really nice man. He is in charge of letting all of us affected by this recall be notified. He was surprised that I was NOT in their system. I filled out all the appropriate registration paper work the day I picked up my tug. Not sure what happened but I am now in their system. If you have a Volvo Penta D1-30F engine and have not been notified by VP call (757) 382-4069. He told me there are approx. 50 USA (only) affected by this recall. They (VP) should be shipping my new engine within two-three weeks.
 
That's a wrap. Brand new Volvo D1-30 is installed in "Andi Lee". If you should go this route...be sure to check your engine motor mount isolators. We found one was completely tore apart. I'll include a photo. No time for a sea trial as winter came early in the form of 6" of wet heavy snow. Also my prop shaft was .016 from being straight. That has be remedied and is now less than .002. Cannot wait for Spring to try her out. Trouble posting a photo. Just be sure and check those rubber engine mounts.
 
Did you have the work done by a VP dealer? What, if any, components from the old engine were switched to the new one?
 
Because of my remote location VP allowed me to use my own marine mechanic. It is not a difficult job if you have the proper tools. About all we took off the old engine was the plumbing fittings for cabin heat and the transmission/reverse gear.
 
That's good news. The closest VP dealer with a decent shop is a seven hour drive.
I'll try again to talk VP into letting me get the work done locally. We have some excellent marine diesel mechanics in our area but no actual VP dealership.
Talking to and looking at VP dealerships could be the basis of several stories...some funny but also some not funny at all. I think my favorite was one who argued with me on the phone that VP doesn't make diesel engines. His boss called me back later and said that VP does indeed make diesels but they weren't interested in doing the engine swap. Another shop tried to talk me into putting a thousand dollar deposit down in case VP doesn't cover all their costs. Still another shop, this one visited personally, had two mechanics smoking grass and another drinking vodka while they worked. None of the three had heard of the engine swap deal or even that particular engine. They were very pleasant but I think I'd like my work done by somebody with a lesser passion for mind altering substances

Congratulations on your new engine. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
 
Did you see my VP contact from a previous post? Andy Sweet is his name. I listed his phone number in that post. Nice guy. He'll work with you. Good luck.
 
Thanks. I'll give him a call.
 
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