Operation of the Volvo D4 260 engine.

[bchristie]

2013 Cutwater with the Volvo D4-260 engine: I have been told that operating this engine at lower RPM will damage the turbo. I like to run at about 1800 RPM. I am looking for actual operating experience and good knowledgeable opinions on this issue. Will I damage may engine by running at this 1800 rpm power setting? Thanks!

 

[American Flyer]

2013 Cutwater with the Volvo D4-260 engine: I have been told that operating this engine at lower RPM will damage the turbo. I like to run at about 1800 RPM. I am looking for actual operating experience and good knowledgeable opinions on this issue. Will I damage may engine by running at this 1800 rpm power setting? Thanks!

We are slow boaters as well. 2017 D4 300. We cruise between 1400 and 1600 RPM. Asked the Volvo rep your exact question. He said no, absolutely not, BUT, run it around 90% every few hours or at least once a trip for 10 to 15 minutes. This assures the turbo gets enough temperature to keep from coking up. We’ve been doing this for over two years and 500 hours with no problems.

 

[SJI Sailor]

+1 to American Flyer. Running at 60% power or thereabouts should be good more or less forever. But occasionally 90%+ is good for the turbo (and generally).

For more, engine guru Tony Athens shares some related observations here (not specific to turbo but to longtime lowish RPM in general): https://www.sbmar.com/articles/low-speed-running-break-in-of-marine-diesels/

 

[dexmot74]

I have same engine. I just make sure I "give her" at least once per day for 10-15 mins 🙂

 

[bchristie]

Great information; thanks!

 

[mferguson]

I have a bit over 500 hrs on my '18 CW28, and a fair bit of it has been at low RPM's in the canals in upstate NY. I am not aware of any turbo issues at that RPM. As others have said, you should run it hard for at least 15 - 20 mins per day.

However, I wonder why the fondness of that power setting? I tracked and recorded RPM, speed, and fuel consumption across the operating range after getting the boat. At 1800, I see a dramatic decrease in efficiency compared to any lower RPMs as you're getting into the plow mode. At 1800R, I saw 7.2 kts at 3.3 gph, or 2,2 nmpg. That's a lot of fuel for how fast you're going. You can get a bit better mpg doing 19 kts at 2900RPM burning about 8.1 gph. Some alternatives to consider:

1800, I saw 7.2 kts at 3.3 gph, or 2,2 nmpg.
1600, I get 7.0 kts at 1.9 gph, and 3.7 nmpg.
1400, I get 6.0 kts, at 1.3 gph, and 4.6 nmpg.

You could slow to 1600, lose only .2 kts of speed, and almost double your fuel efficiency. I generally run between 1350 and 1500 in the canals, varying once an hour, get 6 - 7 kts, and average about 5+ nmpg doing so. Make sure your tabs are full up. Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[bchristie]

I have a bit over 500 hrs on my '18 CW28, and a fair bit of it has been at low RPM's in the canals in upstate NY. I am not aware of any turbo issues at that RPM. As others have said, you should run it hard for at least 15 - 20 mins per day.

However, I wonder why the fondness of that power setting? I tracked and recorded RPM, speed, and fuel consumption across the operating range after getting the boat. At 1800, I see a dramatic decrease in efficiency compared to any lower RPMs as you're getting into the plow mode. At 1800R, I saw 7.2 kts at 3.3 gph, or 2,2 nmpg. That's a lot of fuel for how fast you're going. You can get a bit better mpg doing 19 kts at 2900RPM burning about 8.1 gph. Some alternatives to consider:

1800, I saw 7.2 kts at 3.3 gph, or 2,2 nmpg.
1600, I get 7.0 kts at 1.9 gph, and 3.7 nmpg.
1400, I get 6.0 kts, at 1.3 gph, and 4.6 nmpg.

You could slow to 1600, lose only .2 kts of speed, and almost double your fuel efficiency. I generally run between 1350 and 1500 in the canals, varying once an hour, get 6 - 7 kts, and average about 5+ nmpg doing so. Make sure your tabs are full up. Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[bchristie]

Great information, thanks for sharing. I have been looking at similar numbers. The 1600 RPM option does make a lot of sense.