I have a 2016 D3 220 Hp with 540 hrs. I have had a few issues, in regard to the installation and one mechanical failure but I have never been without power while cruising.
Things to look at.
* Reverse gear solenoids - The engine installation is tight, the packing gland is just below the transmission. If the packing gland is leaking even at a good adjustment of 3 drips a minute a fine mist of water will be atomized and get at theses connections and solenoids. Corrosion will eventually cause a failure. I made a shield to help reduce this water spray.
* Inspect the oil cooler hose (starboard side under after cooler. The installation is tight and the stringer is not cut out at the cooler hose location. I found the hose was hard against the engine bed stringer and chafing.
*Raw water pump belt tensioner will fail if salt water or water is penetrated. A yearly coating of a penetrating oil would be advised. I would recommend inspecting this and at the same time inspect the belt. This issue is increased if the person changing the water pump impeller does not protect the tensioner from water when replacing the impeller.
*Engine alignment and motor mounts. Confirm a good engine alignment. Because of the tight installation the motor mounts need to be installed in the center of the stringers. If they are not located in the middle of the stringers the side to side movement can make alignment adjustment difficult or not achievable. This gives an issue known as bolt bound. I had this issue when aligning my engine. The photo below will show the issue you will see the foot of the mount is over hanging the engine stringer.
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It doesn't look like it is off much but enough that caused a bolt bound condition. Make sure the engine is aligned.
While doing this confirm that each motor mount hold down lag bolt is tight and not stripped out. There is wood placed in the stringer during the layup of the Grid stringer. If the wood is not located properly the only material holding the lag in place is the fiberglass which is not enough to hold the lag securely. Another reason for loose lags is water infiltration into the wood and this causes a failure. Inspect all 8 lag bolts for tightness.
* Turbo and turbo hose failure. I had a turbo hose failure at 400 hrs. The hose had evidence of degradation. It blew off and Volvo felt the turbo should be replaced also.
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*Transmission. Have the oil sampled. I have found that even though my oil samples have all come back good. There is evidence of small metal filings in the transmission filter . Each time I change the transmission oil I cut the filter in 2 pieces and remove any metal in the filter. I use a small stainless steel tube and place it in the bottom of the transmission case and suck the oil and try to remove any metal that is sitting in the bottom. Each oil change I find 1/2 thimble of metal filings that are removed from the filter and the oil from fine filtering. I have spoke to ZF and Volvo "as long as you are not having an issue keep running it and see if it gets worse"
*Engine installation in the C26 using the D3 Volvo. This boat was originally designed with the use of a Yanmar. The intake and turbo are located in the aft section of the engine( Yanmar). This locates the air intake in the large open area of the compartment. When Fluid Motion replaced the Yanmar with the Volvo they made no provisions to get cooler air to a dead locked area of the engine compartment where the engine air take is now located.
Yanmar installation
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I have seen temperatures above 160F in the area of the air intake. Volvo states no higher than 113F or derating will be experienced. Volvo specification is no higher than 30 F above ambient. This Volvo installation in the C26 will be 60F above ambient. I have an air temperature probe located 6 inches from the engine air intake. I have installed a complete engine compartment ventilation system in the C26 model with the D3 installation.
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* Raw water seacock and seastrainer is undersized for this application. The D3 Volvo raw water pump has a 1 1/4 " inlet and outlet. The sizing for the seacock should be sized to match the raw water pump. Minimum in this case would be 1 1/4" but preferred is one size larger 1 1/2". Volvo specifies 1 1/4" seacock and thru hull. The C26 has 1" with several 90 degree fittings. The results is with a clean raw water cooling system operating at higher rpm will increase the operating temperatures in the middle to high 190'sF where it should be 185F . Do a full inspection of the raw water system. During the sea trial run the engine in the upper rpm range and record the engine operating temperatures. I will list what temperatures I have recorded. My system is a fresh water run engine 520 hrs of the 540 hrs of operation.
3700 rpm or above , water ambient 65F or below (193F)
3700 rpm or above, water ambient 70F to 80F ( 196F)
3700 rpm or above water ambient. above 80F ( 202F)
If the water system is clean and the raw water system is sized as per recommendations 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" the temperature swing would be minimal no matter what the ambient water temperature is.
* Oil changes and oil level. It is best to keep the level in the middle of the low/high marks on the top stick
Fuel economy
Any rpm below 2250 rpm will give you great fuel economy. I find the best 6.5 knots around 1800 rpm 4 mpg +/- .3
Any rpm above 2500 rpm 2.0 to 1.5 mpg.
3260rpm 7.6 gph 11kts 12.8 mph. 1.68 mpg
3420 rpm 8.5 gph 12.5kts 14.3 mph 1.68 mpg
3500 rpm 9.0 gph 13.5 kts 15.5 mph 1.72 mpg
3600 rpm. 9.5. gph 14 kts 16.1 mph 1.69 mpg
4120 rpm. 12 gph 18.7 kts 21.0 mph 1.75 mpg
The numbers above are real numbers based on the way my C26 is equipped. We have the boat equipped for cruising not a day cruiser.
When we purchased the boat ( before moving in) the performance numbers were better. The best sustained WOT speed I recorded 23.5 mph The best WOT speed I recorded was 26 mph with the help of wind and a following sea. The best fuel economy I recorded while cruising at high cruse speed was 2.02 mpg cruising at 3250 rpm with a quartering following sea. The trip was 65.8 miles with an average speed of 9.4 mph. I was happy with that. The worst I recorded 3380 rpm 79.4 miles average speed 11.34 mph flat water boat loaded for a 3 week cruise 1.63mpg
A lot of information. I have a lot more. My advise. I like the boat we love cruising in it. Like any boat it has issues. Get a good survey. Look the boat over good. You should not find any big surprises. Overall well built boat. Take a look at my album. I have posted a lot of photo's of area's of the boat and how to get to them. Good luck on your deal.
