Volvo Service Cost

Hi there, has anyone had their Volvo D-300's serviced at 200 hours? And if so, what the approximate cost of the service? Thx!

Btw, service was around $2,500 for both engines.

4 filters 10 gallons oil and 4 hours labor @$1000 a hour

Here's what was included:

*200 Hours Engine Service - Twin Volvo D4-300
*Inspect EVC systems
*Replace engine oil and filters
*Inspect coolant levels and quality
*Adjust drive belts
*Replace air filters
*Replace primary and secondary fuel filters
*Clean seawater filters
*Replace engine anodes
*Inspect seawater pump impellers
*Replace CCV filters
*Inspect rudder actuator oil
*Clean seawater inlets
*Replace transmission oil and filters
*Inspect exhaust hoses
*Test run engines

After what we paid for a 10,000 mile maintenance on our Mercedes Benz ML-350 Bluetec single engine diesel, that doesn't sound too bad. In fact, it sounds like a bargain.

Boating is not an inexpensive hobby and you live in a part of the country where the cost of living is pretty high. Remember, you got some oil and filters with that service and you paid retail. And it was two engines so everything was done twice.

I understand going to the authorized service facility for the first few services just to have an experienced person working on your engines and to make sure the warranty isn't compromised, but you can probably do most of this work yourself if you are "mechanically inclined" and have the time.

You can also shop for better prices on parts and cut your maintenance costs.

Other than paying $900 for 100 hour service on a Volvo gas engine 15 years ago, I have nothing to compare your cost to but I suspect it's about right for what you got and where you live.

MichaelB1969 said:

Here's what was included:

*200 Hours Engine Service - Twin Volvo D4-300
*Inspect EVC systems
*Replace engine oil and filters
*Inspect coolant levels and quality
*Adjust drive belts
*Replace air filters
*Replace primary and secondary fuel filters
*Clean seawater filters
*Replace engine anodes
*Inspect seawater pump impellers
*Replace CCV filters
*Inspect rudder actuator oil
*Clean seawater inlets
*Replace transmission oil and filters
*Inspect exhaust hoses
*Test run engines

Click to expand...

Did they replace all the zincs?? We have the TAM6.3 and have three zincs each.

Never mind! I found the anodes! ignore me.

Looks like you got 2 hours of mechanic's time at dealer rates (1.5 to 2 * independent mechanic's rates) and paid retail for all of the bits and pieces they supplied. Should be no surprise that it added up quickly.
Until you have the complete list of what ought to be done, you might miss something important, so regret any DIY attempt to save a buck or two.
Now that you know the complete list, and have seen how easy it all is, you can make an educated choice when it is time for the next service. You may decide to continue with the dealer rates, if only for your peace of mind.

koliver said:

Looks like you got 2 hours of mechanic's time at dealer rates (1.5 to 2 * independent mechanic's rates)

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For what it's worth, this service took the mechanic 6 or 7 hours.

Unfortunately, it's tight enough down in the engine room that it was tough to see what he was doing half the time. And after 3 or 4 hours and not having eaten I ran out of steam trying to follow along. Finally, I didn't have the hardware or software to connect to the engine to check error codes, etc. and let Volvo know the engine was serviced for the official record.

I'm 6'3", 205 and I would have been miserable down there for 6 hours - especially the next day!

If we end up retiring for the cruising life, I'll have to get a full displacement trawler with a gargantuan engine room!

MichaelB1969 said:

If we end up retiring for the cruising life, I'll have to get a full displacement trawler with a gargantuan engine room!

Click to expand...

http://www.realtrawlers.com/index.p...cle&id=1:watson-72&catid=2:trawlers&Itemid=13

Now there's something I can help you with.

Nice! What's your connection to the company?

None unfortunately however the builder is a TF member. He doesn't have a good member discount that I'm aware of.

Gotcha. Pretty stout looking trawlers. Wonder what the interiors look like. I'm one of those rare individuals that places a higher importance on my car's interior quality/styling than the exterior, so interior design is really important to me in a boat as well. While some of the custom trawlers have gorgeous interiors, many have very dated styling.

MichaelB1969 said:

For what it's worth, this service took the mechanic 6 or 7 hours.

Unfortunately, it's tight enough down in the engine room that it was tough to see what he was doing half the time. And after 3 or 4 hours and not having eaten I ran out of steam trying to follow along. Finally, I didn't have the hardware or software to connect to the engine to check error codes, etc. and let Volvo know the engine was serviced for the official record.

I'm 6'3", 205 and I would have been miserable down there for 6 hours - especially the next day!

If we end up retiring for the cruising life, I'll have to get a full displacement trawler with a gargantuan engine room!

Click to expand...

If the service was done correctly and is warrantied, and considering your location, then I don't see anything unreasonable about the charge. A lot of parts and supplies and 6 to 7 hours labor. Yes, you paid retail for the parts and supplies as you were buying them retail. Obviously DIY is less expensive if one has the desire, knowledge and skill.

BandB said:

If the service was done correctly and is warrantied, and considering your location, then I don't see anything unreasonable about the charge. A lot of parts and supplies and 6 to 7 hours labor. Yes, you paid retail for the parts and supplies as you were buying them retail. Obviously DIY is less expensive if one has the desire, knowledge and skill.

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Agreed!

I second these comments. Sounds like the mechanic covered additional ground besides just engine services. Definitely did some things that you might do when you achieve greater comfort level; but, when you don't know it is better to pay and learn.

BandB said:

If the service was done correctly and is warrantied, and considering your location, then I don't see anything unreasonable about the charge. A lot of parts and supplies and 6 to 7 hours labor. Yes, you paid retail for the parts and supplies as you were buying them retail. Obviously DIY is less expensive if one has the desire, knowledge and skill.

Click to expand...

Cummins 330HP


*Inspect EVC systems. N/A
*Replace engine oil and filters 40 minutes
*Inspect coolant levels and quality 2 minutes
*Adjust drive belts 15 minutes
*Replace air filters 5 minutes
*Replace primary and secondary fuel filters 30 minutes
*Clean seawater filters 5 minutes
*Replace engine anodes 30 minutes
*Inspect seawater pump impellers N/A on Cummins
*Replace CCV filters N/A but its a 10 min job
*Inspect rudder actuator oil 30 seconds
*Clean seawater inlets Need to lift boat to inspect ?????
*Replace transmission oil and filters 30 minutes
*Inspect exhaust hoses 5 minutes
*Test run engines[/QUOTE] 5 minutes

Oil and filters $220 AU


Just saying

gaston said:

Cummins 330HP


*Inspect EVC systems. N/A
*Replace engine oil and filters 40 minutes
*Inspect coolant levels and quality 2 minutes
*Adjust drive belts 15 minutes
*Replace air filters 5 minutes
*Replace primary and secondary fuel filters 30 minutes
*Clean seawater filters 5 minutes
*Replace engine anodes 30 minutes
*Inspect seawater pump impellers N/A on Cummins
*Replace CCV filters N/A but its a 10 min job
*Inspect rudder actuator oil 30 seconds
*Clean seawater inlets Need to lift boat to inspect ?????
*Replace transmission oil and filters 30 minutes
*Inspect exhaust hoses 5 minutes
*Test run engines

Click to expand...

5 minutes

Oil and filters $220 AU


Just saying [/QUOTE]

Are your numbers for one engine or two?

gaston said:

Cummins 330HP


*Inspect EVC systems. N/A
*Replace engine oil and filters 40 minutes
*Inspect coolant levels and quality 2 minutes
*Adjust drive belts 15 minutes
*Replace air filters 5 minutes
*Replace primary and secondary fuel filters 30 minutes
*Clean seawater filters 5 minutes
*Replace engine anodes 30 minutes
*Inspect seawater pump impellers N/A on Cummins
*Replace CCV filters N/A but its a 10 min job
*Inspect rudder actuator oil 30 seconds
*Clean seawater inlets Need to lift boat to inspect ?????
*Replace transmission oil and filters 30 minutes
*Inspect exhaust hoses 5 minutes
*Test run engines

Click to expand...

5 minutes

Oil and filters $220 AU


Just saying [/QUOTE]



So about 6 hours for two Cummins engines. Not that much different. Especially since things are also typically easier to get to with a single engine versus twins.

And $440 for parts. The Volvo parts are the bigger difference.

He's not in AU.

He has two Volvos, not a Cummins and some of your times are absurd. 30 seconds? Really?

MichaelB1969 said:

5 minutes

Oil and filters $220 AU


Just saying

Click to expand...

So about 6 hours for two Cummins engines. Not that much different. Especially since things are also typically easier to get to with a single engine versus twins.

And $440 for parts. The Volvo parts are the bigger difference.[/QUOTE]

Maybe he will clarify. I'm also interested in how he's going to undock a boat, run it and wait for the engines to come up to temperature than check it at WOT to make sure it's reaching full RPM and do all that in 5 minutes. I don't know what the Volvo service guide says, but some engine manufacturers do have that for all service. That's my definition of "test run engines."

BandB said:

So about 6 hours for two Cummins engines. Not that much different. Especially since things are also typically easier to get to with a single engine versus twins.



And $440 for parts. The Volvo parts are the bigger difference.

Click to expand...

Maybe he will clarify. I'm also interested in how he's going to undock a boat, run it and wait for the engines to come up to temperature than check it at WOT to make sure it's reaching full RPM and do all that in 5 minutes. I don't know what the Volvo service guide says, but some engine manufacturers do have that for all service. That's my definition of "test run engines."[/QUOTE]



The Volvo technician ran the engines until they came up to operating temperature. Took a while at the dock!

MichaelB1969 said:

Maybe he will clarify. I'm also interested in how he's going to undock a boat, run it and wait for the engines to come up to temperature than check it at WOT to make sure it's reaching full RPM and do all that in 5 minutes. I don't know what the Volvo service guide says, but some engine manufacturers do have that for all service. That's my definition of "test run engines."

Click to expand...

The Volvo technician ran the engines until they came up to operating temperature. Took a while at the dock![/QUOTE]

Then did they check them under load at WOT?

BandB said:

The Volvo technician ran the engines until they came up to operating temperature. Took a while at the dock!

Click to expand...

Then did they check them under load at WOT?[/QUOTE]



No, they did not. He ran it to the maximum allowed rpm in neutral (as per the Volvo EVC), then under partial load at the dock while still tied up. Never ran at WOT.

MichaelB1969 said:

Then did they check them under load at WOT?

Click to expand...

No, they did not. He ran it to the maximum allowed rpm in neutral (as per the Volvo EVC), then under partial load at the dock while still tied up. Never ran at WOT.[/QUOTE]

I don't know whether Volvo recommends it or not. When we service or get serviced, it's always a part of it. Nothing worse than getting a boat returned and it won't run right. Also, owners often don't check at WOT.

My boat has two Volvos and in 17 years no one has ever touched them but me. At those prices I must have saved myself over $50,000 just on regular service, never mind repairs.

ancora said:

My boat has two Volvos and in 17 years no one has ever touched them but me. At those prices I must have saved myself over $50,000 just on regular service, never mind repairs.

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That sounds reasonable to save $3000 a year if you're putting a lot of hours on them by servicing them yourself. Some people can't do that. Some don't want to. Some have jobs or professions where they prefer to still earn what it takes to pay for such services.

Don't expect paying for services to be even in the same ballpark as DIY.

Michael,

Thanks for sharing.

We are fortunate to have IRENE in the care of a very experienced VP technician. We like him to do our drive service, and occasionally other things. He attends VP training annually, and he looks at many, many, D4 AQ power packages (which we have in IRENE).

We are a single engine boat, operating nearly 200 hours per year, occasionally in remote places. We find it comforting that we have a technician of his experience level practicing his craft on our boat, performing sea trials, and dispensing advice. For us, it is the necessary price of visiting all of the great places IRENE takes us.

Jeff

MichaelB1969 said:

5 minutes

Oil and filters $220 AU


Just saying

Click to expand...

So about 6 hours for two Cummins engines. Not that much different. Especially since things are also typically easier to get to with a single engine versus twins.

And $440 for parts. The Volvo parts are the bigger difference.[/QUOTE]

You wouldn't use Volvo parts if you did it yourself. Most of it is oil & filters, and quality filters would be about half what Volvo charges.

BandB said:

5 minutes

Oil and filters $220 AU


Just saying

Click to expand...

Are your numbers for one engine or two?[/QUOTE]





1 engine