Volvo D4 260 hp Reliability

[Springer59]

Hi, I'm considering purchasing a 2018 C28 with the Volvo D4 260 hp engine, approx 100 hrs. Obviously, boat hasn't been used much,wonder about corrosion while its been sitting unused. Looking for input on reliability, cost of repairs, issues with electronics, factory support etc. Hope to keep the boat for the long term.

My other option is a R27 with OB.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[BB marine]

If the D4 was put away correctly fresh water flushed and winterized there should be no issues with the raw water cooling side. If it has not been probably still not an issue but I would have it flushed with barnacle buster. When doing this process the right way the pump impeller is removed. This is a good opportunity to replace the impeller and start out fresh. The D4 is a strong motor, Bullet proof from all the information I have read. The D4 installed in the C28 is the 260 hp model, The 300 hp model and 320 hp model are of the same family 3.7 L. The working output of the 260 hp should give good reliability and longevity. The key component to all of theses smaller displacement high HP diesels is correct propping. After you have your survey and then Sea Trial the boat confirm that the engine is turning Manufactures recommended WOT RPM 3500 +150/-100. If the boat is lightly loaded experiencing 3500 rpm + 150 would be preferred. General maintenance if you are a DIY boat owner is not bad. There several threads (TugNuts) that talk about the maintenance items Water pump, fuel filters, oil filter, what oil to use and transmission oil change. There is also a air filter and crank case vent filter. Between the owners manual and Tugnuts you will find maintaining the engine is not bad.

Maintenance cost may be slightly less with the outboard and I would assume reliability the same. My opinion would be the D4 Diesel would have a edge + on longevity. Just my opinion

You are not comparing apples to apples when choosing between the C28 and R27 outboard. Two completely different boats. Sea trialing both will give you a good idea of what the best choice is for your boating needs.

 

[pleeson]

We love our Volvo. A quick bump of the start button even after 7 months of storage and vroom. If you're not in a hurry, it seems like the fuel tank never empties. Quite user serviceable with a few simple tools and the help of this forum. Pretty much fuel and go till storage.

 

[Kenaithab]

We have a 2016 R29S with D4 260 that we winterize ourselves from Sept thru May every year here in Alaska. It has started within a sec or two each spring and has been rock solid for us. If the sellers seem reputable and a mechanic gives it a green light, I wouldn’t worry about the engine.

 

[Springer59]

Thanks for the responses. Made a deal on a 2018 C28 with D4 yesterday subject to
sea trial, engine and hull surveys Appreciate the input!

 

[Dubs]

In the freight business we would run our KW/Volvo fleet about 750,000 miles between engine overhaul/replacement, maybe 1 million miles on the high side. On some bid runs we could dual use the same rig on both night and day relays so on long runs the trucks could get 250,000 miles a year, or 3-4 years on the engine. Translate those miles to hours and we might get 12,000 - 15,000 hours on the engine. Interested to hear what you experts think are the reasons marine engines are not expected to last that many hours? Or are they? Of course on flat routes the truck can turn a steady RPM most of the day but in the West we run over mountains, so the RPM would vary more. In a 1000 vehicle fleet it all averages out.

 

[BB marine]

Trucks diesels compared to Boat engines is not apples to apples comparison. You are comparing large displacement truck engines to small displacement marine engines. The D4 or D6 used in many pleasure boats are 3.7L and 5.5L that operate in a cruise at 2500 rpm to 3000 rpm all day long with a wide open throttle of 3600 rpm and producing D4 320hp and D6 435 hp. The engines have no gears to down shift when climbing the hill that they are always climbing. The engines used in KW I would assume are D11 or larger. A D11 is 10.8 L and has a Hp out put of 425 hp at 2200rpm with gears to maintain a proper load on the engine at all time. The D11 is a 24/7 engine the marine engines are designed to be 200 hrs a year. This is not to say you can't put more on them.

A D4 or D6 if operated at 30% to 40% average load thru its life time should make at least 5000 hrs before a overall maybe higher. The little D3 3000 hours operated at 30% to 40% load maybe higher.

The newer common rail diesels should not be compared to the old mechanical rack, large displacement, low Hp marine diesels that make 10000 plus hours. Example Lehman 80hp 4 cylinder 3.96L Max rpm 2300 rpm. Compare that to a D4 300hp 3.7 L max rpm 3600rpm. Which engine will have a higher longevity? My opinion is big displacement low HP wins for longevity.