Volvo Penta Rebuild Woes - Any Ideas?

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by Roniszoro

So the poor OP is stuck in Bimini, not know as the world's center for diesel mechanics, because of what he believes is a failure of an expensive repair/rebuild by a mechanic in Florida. He quite naturally turns to CF members for help as many of us have over the years. (Many of us also provide help when we can.) But if the OP does not give those of us who would have engine work done in Florida fair warning as to who did the work in what appears to be a less than competent manner, what is the morality of asking the questions? It would be: "I want help from you guys but I won't help you avoid my plight." Not the right thing to do.

Fortunately there was not physical danger to the OP and his crew as a result of his failed engine experience. But there certainly could have been had the engine failed while trying to get through one of the cuts to the Abacos from the East.

Again, respectfully, you/we don't know both sides of the story. I reserve my judgment on the mechanic until I hear from the mechanic. As far as CF members helping the OP out that's great and that is what I believe this forum is about. I also believe CF is not a one sided grievance board. I may be wrong, but I believe my understanding of the Dealer/Vendor and Customer Disputes rule applies. The OP has a CAT, he has a working engine, he is not stuck in Bimini and has more than enough ability to go anywhere. Many people have sailed around the world with only one engine. No one deserves to get raked over the coals, the OP nor the mechanic who at this point is not here to tell his side of the story.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

a64,



Tellie... I thought the WM biz was doin' good? You moonlighting as a VP mech????

LOL, yeah it's going great, my days of turning wrenches is long past. It wasn't me I swear


Halden Marine Services | Marine Watermakers, Solar Panels, Wind Generators

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Tellie

LOL, yeah it's going great, my days of turning wrenches is long past. It wasn't me I swear


Halden Marine Services | Marine Watermakers, Solar Panels, Wind Generators

No doubt... If I had to sling the wrenches to eat still... I'd have to change my screen name...

The 1% factor played out and I missed the show this year... next time...

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

No doubt... If I had to sling the wrenches to eat still... I'd have to change my screen name...

The 1% factor played out and I missed the show this year... next time...

Hey no problem, unexpected things happen, we'll be there at the show next year as well. I will also be holding a day or two Spectra class in July at my shop in Fort Lauderdale for owners of Spectra units and those that are thinking of buying a new one. I'm thinking that I might offer an even deeper discount on a new system for those that attend the class than they can get at the boat shows. You're more than welcome to come if you'd like.

PS If I had to go back to the old ways my new Avatar would make the one I have now look like Mary freakin Poppins.

www.HaldenMarineService.com
(954) 515-7077

[Roniszoro]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Again, respectfully, you/we don't know both sides of the story. I reserve my judgment on the mechanic until I hear from the mechanic. As far as CF members helping the OP out that's great and that is what I believe this forum is about. I also believe CF is not a one sided grievance board. I may be wrong, but I believe my understanding of the Dealer/Vendor and Customer Disputes rule applies. The OP has a CAT, he has a working engine, he is not stuck in Bimini and has more than enough ability to go anywhere. Many people have sailed around the world with only one engine. No one deserves to get raked over the coals, the OP nor the mechanic who at this point is not here to tell his side of the story.

That this was a cat and there was no danger does not change the fact that if it had been a monohull in a different situation, there could have been. Even without danger, think of the enormous inconvenience and cost. Clearly as a Vendor your view on this this will be different than what is likely that of the rest of us who write rather than receive the checks. I am confident that a number of us would like to know who the mechanic/firm was who did the work before we set off to the Bahamas or other destinations.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by Roniszoro

That this was a cat and there was no danger does not change the fact that if it had been a monohull in a different situation, there could have been. Even without danger, think of the enormous inconvenience and cost. Clearly as a Vendor your view on this this will be different than what is likely that of the rest of us who write rather than receive the checks. I am confident that a number of us would like to know who the mechanic/firm was who did the work before we set off to the Bahamas or other destinations.

I am a vendor this is true. But the fact that I've owned several cruising boats over the past 35 years should more than assure you that I have written plenty of checks and still do. The fact that I have been on both sides of these issues perhaps gives me a different clarity than those who have only been on one side. This is not about whether the OP had issues with a particular vendor, that point is quite obvious. The fact I address is the fairness to a vendor that is not posting here to give his side of the story. This vendor may be the biggest scoundrel in Miami. He may also be a very honorable hard working person who could provide a very good explanation of to why this engine was doomed to fail in the first place and regale you with stories of how unreasonable and ridiculous some patrons are. But you, nor I, have any idea because the vendor is not here to give his input. Again, with all due respect. To demand a name and publicly excoriate someone and not give him the platform, nor even the knowledge that he is being challenged, to defend himself fairly is no kind of clarity at all. I may be wrong, certainly wouldn't be the first time, but I'll stand by my sense of fairness that has always served me well.

Halden Marine Services | Marine Watermakers, Solar Panels, Wind Generators

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Tellie

I am a vendor this is true. But the fact that I've owned several cruising boats over the past 35 years should more than assure you that I have written plenty of checks and still do. The fact that I have been on both sides of these issues perhaps gives me a different clarity than those who have only been on one side. This is not about whether the OP had issues with a particular vendor, that point is quite obvious. The fact I address is the fairness to a vendor that is not posting here to give his side of the story. This vendor may be the biggest scoundrel in Miami. He may also be a very honorable hard working person who could provide a very good explanation of to why this engine was doomed to fail in the first place and regale you with stories of how unreasonable and ridiculous some patrons are. But you, nor I, have any idea because the vendor is not here to give his input. Again, with all due respect. To demand a name and publicly excoriate someone and not give him the platform, nor even the knowledge that he is being challenged, to defend himself fairly is no kind of clarity at all. I may be wrong, certainly wouldn't be the first time, but I'll stand by my sense of fairness that has always served me well.

Halden Marine Services | Marine Watermakers, Solar Panels, Wind Generators

If the company's name shows up here you could send them an email letting them know. Then they can choose to respond if they wanted. Nothing unfair about that.

[Roniszoro]

Originally Posted by Paul L

If the company's name shows up here you could send them an email letting them know. Then they can choose to respond if they wanted. Nothing unfair about that.

Ditto Paul's thoughts. It works for Angie's List. Why don't we let the CF readers make their own judgement.

[Cuttyhunk]

Originally Posted by cainiao

The work itself was a full engine rebuilt - they took it out of the boat, replaced all the main bearings, gaskets, piston sleeves+pistons, etc.

Hi

I have the 2030C and have just finished rebuilding it...waiting for warmer weather to reinstall it here in New England. I hope they did not tell you they replaced the sleeves, as this engine does not have sleeves (I have the parts manual for the entire 20xx series).

I'm attaching the schematic and part numbers for the feed pump, in case that is your problem. Good luck!

[cainiao]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. Turns out the culprit was a lift pump damaged during the rebuild. I appreciate the help.

[Roniszoro]

Originally Posted by cainiao

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. Turns out the culprit was a lift pump damaged during the rebuild. I appreciate the help.

So Cainiao...are your going to identify the firm that did the rebuild or are you going to accept the help of those on the CF but leave the S. Florida members to perhaps find out the hard way who the firm was? Hopefully you will have accepted help but will give it too.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Hey no problem, unexpected things happen, we'll be there at the show next year as well. I will also be holding a day or two Spectra class in July at my shop in Fort Lauderdale for owners of Spectra units and those that are thinking of buying a new one. I'm thinking that I might offer an even deeper discount on a new system for those that attend the class than they can get at the boat shows. You're more than welcome to come if you'd like.

PS If I had to go back to the old ways my new Avatar would make the one I have now look like Mary freakin Poppins.

Halden Marine Services | Marine Watermakers, Solar Panels, Wind Generators
(954) 515-7077

It would be really funny if the price for the class were equal to the proposed discount...

Originally Posted by cainiao

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. Turns out the culprit was a lift pump damaged during the rebuild. I appreciate the help.

Hooray... A simple lift pump as predicted...

[a64pilot]

Guys before we go off condemning the mechanic, it was the lift pump that failed.
And while it was stated it was damaged during the re-build, as a Mechanic myself, I doubt it. It most likely just timed out, diaphragms work by flexing, anything that flexes enough eventually fatigues and fails, bend a coat hanger wire, you know?

I've overhauled a few engines in my time, even a few aircraft engines.
In the ideal world all accessories are tossed in the trash and you start with everything new, starter, water pumps, alternator, fuel injectors, heat exchangers, injection pump etc.
But the cost of doing so is so high, I've never once done this, probably never will.
So you accept some risk, carry spares and know how to do your own maintenance.

But Tellies point is well made, we cant allow bashing of any form here, it has gone south faster than a gun or anchor thread in the past, more than once.
Its a he said, she said type of thing, not everyone is honest.
I'm real sure one very popular software that shows anchorages and Marina reviews has a sort of review for services, that is the place to voice your displeasure and write a review.

If you don't like diaphragm lift pumps, remove it or at least disconnect it, install an electric pump and carry a spare as the electrics don't usually last as long as a diaphragm, but they don't dump fuel into the oil when they fail either.

For what it's worth, almost every automobile ever made that had the fuel tank down low and wasn't fuel injected had a diaphragm pump pretty much identical to those on our boat engines, and often the diaphragm isn't all that hard to change.

Myself I have a Facet electric fuel pump in my spares box, a Facet because that is the pump my generator uses, so one pump is a spare for both engines

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Guys before we go off condemning the mechanic, it was the lift pump that failed. And while it was stated it was damaged during the re-build, as a Mechanic myself, I doubt it.
Me too... It was just it's time to go...

If you don't like diaphragm lift pumps, remove it or at least disconnect it, install an electric pump and carry a spare as the electrics don't usually last as long as a diaphragm, but they don't dump fuel into the oil when they fail either.
But if we leave it in place, the risk of ruptured diaphragm and fuel bypassing it into the crankcase isn't eliminated...

For what it's worth, almost every automobile ever made that had the fuel tank down low and wasn't fuel injected had a diaphragm pump pretty much identical to those on our boat engines, and often the diaphragm isn't all that hard to change.
Replaced more than a couple diaphragms myself... Always a beautiful sound that Waah-uhh-Waaah-uhh... lever testing... ESPECIALLY if accompanied by the requisite suction on the tongue test...

Oh... and my 5 requisite characters....
(mods... can we do something about this?)

[Tellie]

[QUOTE=HappyMdRSailor;2054568]It would be really funny if the price for the class were equal to the proposed discount...



LOL, I just can't get anything by you guys

But seriously, the discount will be a lot better than the price of admission. I was just trying to cover the costs of food and drinks.

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