Volvo Penta MD2030D Coolant Loss

[Captain Hook]

Hi everybody.
The other day when cruising on my Bavaria 38C with a 2005 VOLVO PENTA MD2030D diesel engine I got an overheat warning and shut it down immediately. I found the coolant expansion tank empty and added 4.5l (1 gallon) of coolant which strangely enough disappeared completely and immediately without leaving any visible trace in the engine compartment. I took me hours to return to the marina on main sail only. Then I refilled the expansion tank, restarted the engine for a few minutes to enter my berth and it ran smoothly, but afterwards the tank was empty again. I disconnected the exhaust manifold and saw some newly added coolant running down. I suspected, dismounted and checked the fresh/sea water heat exchanger but found no leaks. The other possibility then would be a blown head gasket, but there is no water in the oil, and a loss of more than 4.5l (1 gallon) of coolant in a few minutes with engine not running seems a lot to me. Before starting any serious and possibly costly repairs, has anyone any idea where all this coolant has gone...???
Thanks for your attention.

[colemj]

The clamp/rubber boot connections on the heat exchanger have a problem and the coolant is passing into the raw water side and exiting the boat. It is easy for the exchanger tube to unseat or not seat well in the rubber boot, or for the clamp to break or slip.

Check the hose clamps for breakage, loosen them and make sure the exchanger tube is centered in both ends and clamp them again.

Mark

[landonshaw]

I had that problem although it leaked out into the engine compartment. Easier to find.

[Captain Hook]

Originally Posted by colemj

The clamp/rubber boot connections on the heat exchanger have a problem and the coolant is passing into the raw water side and exiting the boat. It is easy for the exchanger tube to unseat or not seat well in the rubber boot, or for the clamp to break or slip.

Check the hose clamps for breakage, loosen them and make sure the exchanger tube is centered in both ends and clamp them again.

Mark

Thanks Mark. Sounds very plausible to me. Will check it out shortly and keep you advised. Emile

[belizesailor]

+1. Ive had problems on an MD2020 with the same boot/heat exchanger coupling. In one case letting raw water into the fresh water side...not good.

[Dulcesuenos]

Are these relatively reliable engines? About to buy a cat w 2 of them w really low hours

[colemj]

Ours are 15yr old with ~3,000 hrs and no problems at all.

The engine is actually a Perkins Perama M30 that is painted green. You can buy all parts for it through Perkins.

Mark

[delcrest]

HI Belizesailor sent you pm

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

Are these relatively reliable engines? About to buy a cat w 2 of them w really low hours

Ive overall had good experience with the M2020s I own and with larger MD series on boats in the charter fleet. Good engines, but Volvo screws you royally on parts.

Mine are approaching 4,000 hours now w no major problems.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Ive overall had good experience with the M2020s I own and with larger MD series on boats in the charter fleet. Good engines, but Volvo screws you royally on parts.

Mine are approaching 4,000 hours now w no major problems.

I get parts from Perkins for much less than Volvo.

Mark

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by colemj

I get parts from Perkins for much less than Volvo.

Mark

Does Perkins use same model codes for engines? If not, is there a cross ref?

[colemj]

No, and not that I know of. I simply go to transatlantic diesel and look at the parts diagram.

The perkins are Perama MXX - for example the Volvo MD2030 is the Perama M30.

Mark

[delcrest]

Originally Posted by colemj

No, and not that I know of. I simply go to transatlantic diesel and look at the parts diagram.

The perkins are Perama MXX - for example the Volvo MD2030 is the Perama M30.

Mark

You dont happen to who built the motor for the volvo 2003t

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by colemj

No, and not that I know of. I simply go to transatlantic diesel and look at the parts diagram.

The perkins are Perama MXX - for example the Volvo MD2030 is the Perama M30.

Mark

Thanks. Will give that a try next time.

[Captain Hook]

Originally Posted by colemj

The clamp/rubber boot connections on the heat exchanger have a problem and the coolant is passing into the raw water side and exiting the boat. It is easy for the exchanger tube to unseat or not seat well in the rubber boot, or for the clamp to break or slip.

Check the hose clamps for breakage, loosen them and make sure the exchanger tube is centered in both ends and clamp them again.

Mark

Hi Mark,
Took me some time to get to the boat and check everything out but the result is disappointing in the sense that there seems to be nothing wrong with the brass heat exchanger tube assembly nor with the clamps or rubber boots. There is not a drop of liquid in these parts when I fill up the coolant tank. The liquid just flows through somewhere else right into the exhaust manifold. Could a blown head gasket be the culprit? But then again is that possible at this rate and without any water in the oil?
Thanks for your attention
Emile