Volvo D4 Marine diesel problems

This is my Larson Cabrio 274 with a Volvo D4 Marine Duoprop engine.

The boat was new in September 2005. On sea trials there was a problem with the oil pressure which set off alarms. The local agent in Marmaris Turkey "CURED" the problem so I would pay for the boat by disconnecting the relevant alarms and sensors.

The craft was brought to Ece Saray Marina in Fethiye Turkey.

Now 22 months later after 21 visits by two more Volvo agents plus a visit by the main Volvo engineer Zafer and 6 weeks in a workshop undergoing repair the problem is still there together with an intermittent overheating problem. The engine computer also keeps cutting the rpm unexpectedly which can be most disconcerting. Damage was also done to the engine compartment and a huge sea water leak from the water filter

Larson a member of the giant USA boat building group Genmar washed their hands of any warranty and said it was Volvos problem, not theirs.

Having been a commercial boat builder in the UK with a team of 39 staff including 3 engineers who did major refits on RNLI lifeboats I have a good working knowledge of boats and engines.

Some of the excuses sent to me in e mails by Ahmet Ozyapar of Volvo Istanbul as to why the boat had these problems must be seen to be believed. The General Manager Mehidi Kilic was also involved and kept making promises. All unfulfilled.

In one e mail when they were being particularly unhelpful they insisted I took the craft by sea with the problems to their agent West Marine at Gocek some 20 ks away. I refused as it was putting my life in danger. They told me that their agents have no insurance to take craft to sea. How on earth do they check their work on any boat if they cannot do sea trials afterwards.

I am now so frustrated with the terrible service I have received from Volvo and the tens of thousands of pounds spent unnecessarily together with the fact that I have lost confidence to ever use the boat,that the only way it seems to get them to co-operate and give me a boat I can use is write an article complete with all the relevant e mails which will be distributed shortly to the worlds boating press.