Volvo Penta D2-75

Dear YF Members,

I kindly would like to ask a technical question for an issue which we are unable to solve through the local Volvo engine dealer in our country.

The boat in question is a Bavaria 47 Sailboat, produced in late October 2009 and delivered around November of the same year to Turkey.

You could find the specs in the Bavaria website, www dot Bavaria-yachtbau dot com

The problem in summary is as follows: The engine installed is the Volvo Penta D2-75 with a 3 three bladed propeller vibrates the cockpit table and surrounding materials above 2200 rpm. The vibration is abnormally high despite the fact that we never exceed 2500 rpm during our trials.

It is the upgraded option from the 55hp that is offered as standard through the factory. The propeller is not the folding four-blade version, FYI. I have included a few pictures for your viewing.

The D2-75 is currently around 180 hours, serviced twice. First service changed the oil, filters (oil&fuel) and separators.The second was again the fuel filter&separ.’s, and other checks listed in its manual. The official dealer found no problems with the engine so far.

By design, the maximum rpm is around 3000, with an ideal cruise level around 2100-2200. The boat reaches 8 knots at cruise, reaching 9,5 kn at max. RPM.

If we apply more throttle especially after 2300 RPM, the cockpit begins to vibrate, then after 2400, the wooden table starts to shake a little as well (not like it is going to tear itself apart but abnormally).

Secondly, the engine reduces its RPM to 2100 if you play with the throttle from 2100 to 2300 in little adjustments. I’m guessing that this is a separate issue, probably the throttle connection needing a bit tightening up.

In conclusion, could you please advise as to the possible cause(s) for this? We’re not trying to run the engine at 2500 for the remainder of its life and the cruising speed is fine. However, is it normal for a high-rpm operation to feel this way? Is it a precursor to an upcoming problem in the future? Through the dealer, the engine manufacturer is recommending only two options for the propeller, the first is the one we have (three-bladed) and the other is the four bladed folding version, so there is no third option.

The engine is designed for low-rpm (2000-2100) cruise levels for sailboats. I have included the specs below as well.

I look forward to your responses, thank you very much in advance.

Engine Specifications:
Technical data
Engine D2-75F
Production period 2008-
Operation 4-stroke
Cylinder configuration 4
Bore (mm) 84
Stroke (mm) 100
Compression ratio 23.31:1
Displacement (litres) 2.2
Power (hp) 72
Max engine speed (rpm) 2700-3000

Dear NYCAP and AMG, thank you for your answers, since the engine is an S drive, the shaft is not an issue. We've had this problem since the boat's delivered to us, however it is getting worse than it was at the beginning.

The drive lubrication is checked by the dealer and it is ok. This vibration above 2300 rpm is becoming more of an issue as the parts have been working for 180 hours now. There is no question of a 'run-in' anymore.

Anyway, we will check the prop as we're having a couple of people from Istanbul for a test drive. I will publish pictures in 10 days or so when I return to the boat and check the parts mentioned with the mechanic and will write an update.

Again to: Amg and Nycap; thanks a lot for your help. Happy 4th of July.

Cheers, Vivariva

The saildrive is 150 “S”.

Volvo lists four transmission options:
a. HS25A
b.MS25A
c.MS25L
d.150S

Thanks for the info Fishtigua.

@K1W1, when out of gear, he engine is very smooth, tested up to 3050 RPM, no vibrations observed.

@Marmot, the rigging is fine so far, we did not engage the engine at high RPM whilst sailing with both sails up, I'll try that in about 10 days.

The lab analysis is a good idea, I'll keep that in mind. We're going to have the prop. checked soon, I will let you know. Thanks and regards

Vivariva