Alfresco sick.

[great white]

A couple of weeks back i had an issue starting the boat.

 

I thought it was sorted after i found a loose  connector. Next timeout same problem

 

Lots of research and things tried. With no luck

 

Time for a Volvo engineer and  Vodia software.

Diagnosed a dead Powertrain Control Unit. Eek.

 

We took mine to another boat at work and get the same fault code.

Had to order a replacement.  ££££

 

When looking into the fault we found a loose pump on a cracked bracket.

The part arrived yesterday. bugger wrong one, correct one came overnight from Belgium

 

On a scorching hot day, that was all put back together and painted up today.

Boats now back on her mooring, as the replacment PCU is on back order until August.

 

Now catching up with a few jobs at home, and getting the BBQ out.

 

Not a great time to have a dead engine. But thats life.

 

Charlie

 

[Kingfisher 126]

Sorry to hear that Charlie, always a worry when things go wrong, finding the problem then getting the parts. 
Then there’s parting with the cash, that’s a guts ache regards leadtime. 
Give me a shout if cabin fever is getting the better of you, always welcome on board. 👍

[Maverick Martin]

As Chris says what a ball ache.  If you need a trip out shout me but bring some numbers  as mine seem to have stopped working 😂 

 

[great white]

Thanks guys.

 

Much appreciated, as was your call Chris.

[Jim]

👍

[Steve S]

Sorry to hear that Charlie. Boats...

[great white]

Well that took way too long to sort out.

 

From what looked to be a small fault, it proved to be a much larger and more expensive one.

 

Initially the engine would not start, I checked some connectors and it started.

Tested it several times and went to an anchorage in the harbour, went swimming and cleaned the hull and sterndrive.

 

A few days later went onboard to give the clean boat a test run, as on the previous fishing trip it seemed to have lost speed compared to the engine RPM. When I got onboard the engine failed to start.

Fiddled with all of the same connections again, but this time it would not start. read out said , engine in gear will not start.

 

Initially I kept checking things online and Chat GBT which gave a variety of possible causes.

I made a list of them and over a few days in really hot weather, worked through the list.

No change

 

I was being helped by Richard from Pinnicle Marine, but eventually we ran out of things to try. I had to book another engineer to bring his Volvo Vodia diagnostic system onboard to fault find my Volvo Penta D4.

[Richard did spot a cracked bracket on one of the pump mounts, I ordered parts and fitted while waiting for parts to arrive.]

 

This system indicated that one of the EVC units was showing fault, not only would I need to buy a replacement PCU, but then I would have to have it programmed to communicate with the other parts of the system by Volvo.

This part is not refundable due to programming, we were only 99% sure Vodia had this right, but it had to be changed.

To be honest the engineer was as worried about this as I was, so with permission of another boat owner at the yacht Club,  he fitted my PCU to another vessel and its system immediately came up with the same fault code.

 

This is where time started go wrong.

The engineer went on holiday.

Volvo Penta messed up the order.

Engineer returns to be told part not ordered. But worse than that Volvo Europe were now on shut down.

Part arrived back in UK about a week earlier than anticipated after programming. engineer fitted it and all system start communicating with each other, great news, but engine would not start [*^*^*^] A bit more auto configuration and calibration bought up the same message that we started with, "engine in gear will not start."

 

During the initial fault finding Richard and I had tested the throttle lever, to find that its microswitch closes a circuit when in Neutral. I had made up a small lead to insert in the circuit to trick the system. It had not helped at the start , but was still onboard, so we used it again.

I was very pleased when Sam turned the key and the engine started for the first time in over a month.

 

Three faults all at the same time. who would believe it

 

When I get back to the office, I contacted Volvo to just pay them for fast delivery of a part. Once again they were useless [Its obsolete, no alternative]

Back to the boat to get the control lever, then a few hours trying to chase up the part required. I could not find the complete part ,but did source two options for microswitches, sod it I ordered one of each.

 

After a few more days parts arrived and one of them was a good match, so was fitted.

I took the lever back onboard, wired it up and all was good again, engine runs, gear change works.

 

I only had time to properly fit the various parts back on the boat and engine, before Wendy and I flew off to the sunshine of Madeira for a week, [The holiday was cheaper than the parts]

 

When we came back, I still had the original fault to sort out. That of slow boat speed for engine RPM.

After getting hold of, and cleaning up a second hand set of G5 props, I changed them from my dinghy last Friday.

Out past the chain ferry, throttle up and back to the usual boat speed at 2500RPM. At last I have my boat back.

 

Sorry for the long ramble, but I wanted to give other Members an idea of what I have learned from this experience, apart from how frustration it is to have a broken boat in a long hot summer.

 

1. If you fiddle with what may be loose connections, do it one at a time, so you know which one fixes the issue, should the fault return.

2. Volvo Penta parts departments are useless, chase them up for spares and ask for confirmation of orders

3. Volvo parts are expensive and not always available.

4. Find yourself a good engineer with knowledge and contacts for your boats engine.

5. Have a very understanding wife.

 

Lastly have some very good friends at your fishing Club, that will listen to you banging on about bloody boats, engines and particularly Volvo F*****G Penta. But offer you the use of their boats or take you out fishing.

 

Thanks guys, you have helped keep me sane since July.

I hope that the fish are biting now Alfresco is up and running.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mal Thomas]

Go get them Charlie, good to hear your experiences, they are becoming all to frequent with all companies these days, no doubt this would have been far more expensive had you not had all your knowledge and contacts.

[Jim]

Thanks for the report Charlie.

I think you are in error above.

Number 5 should be Number one.

Nothing can ever happen without the "Nod" from the gaffer.

Or if it does you'll be sorry.

Give Wendy an extra kiss.  😉

 

[jerry.shutter]

Well done Charlie, as Mal sayes if you didn’t have the knowledge you have it would no doubt of been far worse £££££.

 

I have VP which I have discovered seem to really know how to charge crazy prices.

Should I ever change my boat which I doubt I ever will, going with a more agricultural engine, like an Iveco would definitely be my choice, on a shaft, with a rope cutter.

 

I chose VP and legs on advice that they were more fuel efficient, well, the cost of a complete service on the legs (first in five years, I stretched it!) was unbelievable, I think I could of taken my boat on a world cruise for the price!!!!
 

I would strongly advise anybody thinking of buying a boat to chat to club members who have something similar, ie shaft/leg/outboard to the pros and cons. Especially those like Charlie and Chris who have brilliant engineering knowledge.

 

CONGRATULATIONS Charlie your up and running, look out fish !!!!!!

[Graham Nash]

I hope this is the end to your woes Charlie ....

 

Now go get them sharks!!