The season is slipping away...

[2savage]

Now the mechanic has installed the new starter and solenoid the engine gives off a 'low voltage' message when trying to start the engine, and the starter fails to remain engaged with the ring gear. I'm told that I need new batteries so after much running around and heavy lifting I have four new six volt batteries all hooked up. Turn the key to start and it's exactly the same. Low voltage msg and failure to continually engage the ring gear.

It's been almost seven weeks since I brought the boat north from the Carolinas and to date have not had one whole day when I did not have engine issues. The bills are stacking up and I'm sure I'm over $10,000 by now and STILL don't have an engine that works.

I'm not divorced yet but my wife now says sell. She has no confidence in this boat and to be honest, neither do I. I'll chalk this one up to a poor survey, bad luck, and maybe a bunch of southern 'good old boys' who took this Yankee for a ride.

There had better be a miracle cure to this engine really soon or I'm pulling the plug.

 

[Red Raven]

I’m confused by this question. You mention four new 6 volt batteries. Your boat originally came with six 12 volt batteries. 4 house, 1 thruster, and 1 start battery. Four new 6 volt batteries could replace your four 12 volt batteries in a series/parallel combination but that does not address your start battery. Have you changed out the start battery as well?

 

[bob daily]

Maybe it's not the good-ol-boys taken you for a ride but the mechanics! I would find a service that will stand behind there work and get you back on the water! Bubba Bob

 

[SJI Sailor]

From the description, I would tend to side with Bob here; maybe the techs are confused. It seems odd to replace the starter before fully diagnosing the batteries, for example.

And +1 to Red Raven on the battery question. If the starting battery were the remaining issue, switching on the parallel circuit might work.

If it were me, I'd call Volvo Penta and find a different, Volvo authorized engine mechanic. And I'd call Fluid Motion, too. (They do call back, in my experience.)

As for selling the boat, I have two thoughts. One, AFAIK nothing about a presumably minor diesel engine should suggest a complete lemon (it can be minor yet hard to diagnose). Two, OTOH boats are certainly a headache from time to time, and not everyone is in a situation to deal with that. I have sometimes wondered myself -- it took about four months until I became happy with everything on ours, and it was new. So far, I'm very glad I persisted 🙂

 

[FlyMeAway]

+1 on finding a good mechanic. Is the one you're using a certified Penta dealer?

You might try calling the Ranger Tug dealer in your area and ask who they recommend for Volvo repairs.

 

[2savage]

I missed summer due to the engine issues, BUT, the problem has been correctly diagnosed and fixed. Seems a wire in the harness was not correctly grounded. Now the engine fires right up and purrs like a kitten with its new injectors. So, I'm heading down east to make up for lost cruising. Should be able to do two full weeks hurricanes permitting. Block Island, Cuttyhunk, Woods Hole, Falmouth and maybe Wellfleet and P' town. I'll report when I get back.

 

[SJI Sailor]

That is good news (apart from the frustrating delay). Glad to hear it was minor and thanks for sharing the outcome!

 

[2savage]

I guess it's all relative. This 'minor' issue cost me $8783 to get fixed.

 

[scross]

One of the MOST important things about owning any Ranger Tugs is finding a competent and efficient mechanic. I have spent many wasted days and thousands of $$s getting routine maintenance performed poorly at a “certified” shop only to need to have it redone to get the boat purring again.
Took me six years going to four different Yanmar “certified” shops to finally find one that seems to get it right the first try.
I try to do as much work as I can myself to keep the headaches to a minimum.