Oil Leak on Volvo D4

[Gypsy]

My Volvo D4 with under 100 hours on it started leaking oil into the bilge. I was unable to find the source of the problem so I took the boat to a highly recommended repair yard. (I also had to get the Garmin auto pilot repair check valve kit installed. That will be another write-up.) The leak was found by using a video bore scope. It was under the engine where the dip stick tube enters the block. There is a Shark Bite type fitting that screws into the block. The dip stick tube is then inserted into the fitting. In my case, the fitting was defective so it did not lock down and seal the tube. As a result, oil was seeping out from around the tube and into the bilge. The fitting probably only cost $5.00. However, getting to it is difficult. The mechanic was concerned the the engine might have to be lifted. Fortunately, that was not necessary. As for who pays for the repair - Cutwater, even though under their warranty, says that any problem with the engine is between the owner and Volvo. The repair yard is filing a claim with Volvo, but told me that Volvo doesn't pay much for warranty work, so any overage will be my responsibility.

 

[marob]

Just curious about the warranty for the D4, we are getting our new C28 this month and it comes with a five year warranty on the engine. Judging from what I just read it appears you are on your own with getting reimbursed for warranty work. Hope this is not the case because one of the main reasons we bought a new boat was due to the warranty. Sure hope if we have any issues that FM will have our back.

 

[SJI Sailor]

We had a small oil leak when our boat was new, and I can say that the Volvo authorized tech found and fixed it and we were not asked to pay. Not sure how it would work to file retroactively, but I can say we were very happy with the coverage (and 2 years later it has not reoccurred).

 

[Gypsy]

Just curious about the warranty for the D4, we are getting our new C28 this month and it comes with a five year warranty on the engine. Judging from what I just read it appears you are on your own with getting reimbursed for warranty work. Hope this is not the case because one of the main reasons we bought a new boat was due to the warranty. Sure hope if we have any issues that FM will have our back.

Talk to Tim O'Neill. He is Cutwater's warranty manager. My boat was under factory warranty. I had an issue with the Garmin auto pilot steering, and they covered the repair cost. However, the Volvo engine is not warrantied by Cutwater. When I presented the oil leak problem to them, Tim informed me that any warranty work on the engine is between the owner and Volvo. Even if the boat is under factory warranty. If you find out anything different, please share it with the rest of us.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

The documentation at my closing was pretty clear about the warranty terms.


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[BB marine]

If your Volvo D4 is under a Volvo warranty and it has a Volvo part that has failed. A leaking dipstick will fall under a warranty claim for sure. The technician that said that Volvo doesn't pay much for warranty was wrong. Volvo will pay for additional cost if the engine is installed in a boat that they approved the install. Volvo has approved the install of the D4 in the Cutwater 28. Cutwater has been installing the D4 since 2013. The install in the Cutwater28 does propose many repair issues because of the tight quarters. The servicing Volvo dealer must document the reasons for additional service charges that are over and above the standard flat rate charges to get reimbursed. There is no way that you will be charged anything for the warranty work if the dealership is a Certified Volvo Diesel dealer. If the servicing dealer is not a Certified Volvo Diesel dealer. take it somewhere else. Volvo diesel that is under warranty and has a engine operating issue. Volvo will pay for travel expenses to have a Volvo certified technician to come to the boat and make repairs and there will be no charge to you.

I had a Turbo hose fail. leaking oil. Volvo paid for travel expenses. The dealer was 50 miles away. The technician took pictures of the tight install and the dealer was paid for all additional labor cost. The After cooler and Turbo were removed in order to install the hose. Volvo also paid for a New turbo charger as long as it was removed to eliminate the turbo as part of the hose failure. Does Volvo like doing this ? No but it is part of the diesel engine warranty.

 

[Gypsy]

Brian,
Thanks for the info. The repair yard that did the work is a certified Volvo repair facility. I will let you know how I make out.