Volvo Penta D4-300 EVC twin diesel marine engine survey aboard M/V Makaha by 805 Marine Diesel Mechanic

Premium Marine Engine Survey Report
M/V MAKAHA

2015 • 45.5 FT • Official #1310032 • Twin Volvo Penta D4-300 EVC Diesel Engines

Marine Engine Survey

Conducted by: Jeff Lendall & Sons — 805 Marine Diesel Mechanic

This survey documents the visual inspection, Volvo Penta ECU diagnostic review, operational testing, sea trial performance, cooling system concerns, generator observations, thruster zinc findings, oil leak finding, oil analysis samples, and repair estimate for the propulsion and related machinery aboard M/V MAKAHA.

805 Marine Diesel Mechanic professional marine diesel survey logo

Volvo Penta D4
TEXA ECU Scan
Sea Trial
Cooling System Review

Executive Survey Summary

As a result of my investigation, marine engine survey, computerized ECU diagnostic inspection, and sea trial, my opinion is that the overall engine rating is VERY GOOD. The engine room and engines appear to be well maintained, with the primary service concerns centered around deferred saltwater cooling system maintenance.

Overall Engine Rating:
VERY GOOD
Engine Room Condition:
Clean, tidy, and very well maintained
Primary Concern:
Saltwater cooling system service required
Important Finding: During WOT testing, coolant temperatures increased rapidly on both engines, suggesting the seawater side cooling systems require complete scheduled maintenance and servicing, including seawater pumps, heat exchangers, aftercoolers, lube oil coolers, transmission oil coolers, and associated cooling system components.

Marine engine survey condition rating meter showing very good overall Volvo Penta D4 engine condition

System Condition Matrix

System Condition
Fuel System Excellent
Lubrication System Excellent
Electronic Controls Excellent
Cooling System Requires Service
Marine Transmissions Very Good
Shaft Seals Excellent
Steering & Rudders Very Good
Generator System Very Good
Bow & Stern Thrusters Operational, zinc service required

Vessel & Engine Identification

Vessel M/V MAKAHA
Official Number 1310032
LOA 45.5 FT
Year 2015
Specification Port Engine Starboard Engine
Engine Make Volvo Penta Volvo Penta
Engine Model D4-300 EVC D4-300 EVC
Engine Type Inboard Inboard
Power 300 HP 300 HP
Fuel Type Diesel Diesel
Hours 384 382
Serial Number A376584VV 060760 A376956VV 060761
Transmission ZF HS80AE-8 ZF HS80AE-8
Kubota Generator:

Model# V1505-BG-EF02
Serial Number: EKBXL01
Kilowatts: 16

TEXA Computerized ECU Diagnostic Findings — Volvo Penta D4-300 EVC

ECU Diagnostic Scan: Volvo Penta ECU diagnostic scan completed on both D4-300 engines with no active critical fault codes present at time of inspection.
Engine History: Engine ECU history showed no evidence of chronic overheat, low oil pressure, or major derate events.
Port Engine Hours: 384 total operating hours, consistent with overall vessel condition and service appearance.
Starboard Engine Hours: 382 total operating hours, showing balanced engine utilization between port and starboard.
Synchronization: Engine synchronization data appeared normal with no excessive load imbalance observed between engines.
Cold Start Data: Cold-start data was within acceptable parameters. Both engines started promptly without excessive crank time or smoke.
Fuel Rail Pressure: Fuel rail pressure readings remained stable throughout idle, cruise, and acceleration testing.
Turbocharger Boost: Turbocharger boost pressure values responded normally under load with no abnormal lag detected.
Coolant Temperature Under WOT: ECU monitored coolant temperatures remained within normal operating range during cruise RPM operation, but shot up quickly at WOT, suggesting that the saltwater system needs full scheduled maintenance performed.
Oil Pressure Under Load: Engine oil pressure data remained strong under load at approximately 68 PSI port and 70 PSI starboard at WOT.
Overall ECU Profile: ECU data and overall operational performance suggest the engines have been regularly exercised and generally well maintained, except for the saltwater cooling system.

Visual Engine Inspection Findings

Volvo Penta Marine Transmissions: Both ZF HS80AE-8 marine transmissions shifted smoothly with no abnormal noise, slippage, or vibration noted underway.
Fuel Filtration System: Racor Twin Turbine Series 900 fuel filter/water separator, 10 micron, port and starboard side filter assembly. No water present. Appeared serviceable.
Seawater Pump: Signs of seals leaking at weep holes on both engines and generator.
Tube-Type Heat Exchanger: Seemed to work fine except during the WOT test, when cooling water temperature came up very quickly.
Engine Oil Cooler: Checked inlet and outlet temperatures. All within parameters.
Cooling System Type: All three engines were pressure tested with leak down test to 25 PSI and all three passed the leak down test. Freshwater reservoir type cooling with seawater cooled wet exhaust operated satisfactory except for rapid temperature rise during WOT testing.
Hoses and Clamps: Double clamped where sighted. Stainless steel hose clamps on all three engines in like-new condition.
Dripless Shaft Seals: Seem to have adequate pressure. No leaks observed.
Bow & Stern Thrusters: Performed satisfactorily while docking. Both need to have the zinc anodes replaced.

Sea Trial Report

Sea Trial Item Observation
Cold Start Both Volvo Penta D4-300 EVC engines started promptly without excessive cranking, hesitation, or abnormal smoke during cold start.
Exhaust Appearance Engine exhaust appearance remained normal throughout the sea trial with only minimal smoke noted for engines of this age and hours.
Cooling Water Discharge Cooling water discharge appeared strong and consistent at idle, cruise, and acceleration testing.
Oil Pressure Engine oil pressure remained strong under full load conditions at approximately 68 PSI port and 70 PSI starboard during WOT testing.
Transmission Operation Both ZF HS80AE-8 marine transmissions shifted smoothly in and out of gear with no abnormal noise, slipping, vibration, or delayed engagement observed underway.
Thrusters Both bow and stern thrusters performed adequately during tie up, but both need zincs replaced because they are loose.
WOT Cooling Concern: During WOT testing, coolant temperatures increased rapidly on both engines, suggesting the seawater side cooling systems require complete scheduled maintenance and servicing.

Oil Analysis Samples

The following oil analysis samples are included as part of the survey record:

Component Oil Analysis Link
Starboard ZF HS80AE-8 Marine Transmission STARBOARD ZF HS80AE-8 marine transmission
Port ZF HS80AE-8 Marine Transmission PORT ZF HS80AE-8 marine transmission
Volvo Penta D4-300 Starboard Engine Volvo Penta D4-300 STARBOARD ENGINE
Volvo Penta D4-300 Port Engine Volvo Penta D4-300 PORT ENGINE
Kubota Marine Generator Kubota Marine Generator
Clean and well maintained engine room aboard 44 foot Beneteau trawling yacht during Volvo Penta D4 marine engine survey

Engine room clean and tidy, very well maintained.

WOT Test — Both Engines Reached Full Rated RPM

Both engines reached full rated RPM of 3500 with very minimal smoke.

Saltwater pump weep hole leakage on Volvo Penta D4 marine diesel engine indicating seawater pump replacement needed

All three engines show signs of saltwater leaking out of weep holes. Saltwater pumps need to be replaced.

Oil Leak at Back of Engine

Oil leak at the back of the engine needs a new gasket.

Scaled Volvo Penta D4 heat exchanger and aftercooler core showing need for seawater cooling system service and descaling

Heat exchangers and aftercoolers showing excessive scaling. Service is needed.
Bow and stern thruster zinc anodes loose on Allen head bolts requiring replacement during marine survey

Bow and stern thrusters both need zincs replaced because they are loose on the Allen head bolts.

Recommendations & Ballpark Estimate to Repair Maintenance Issues

Recommended Scope: Saltwater system descaling and service for all three engines.
Recommended Repair / Service Estimated Labor
Replace three saltwater pumps 6 hours
Remove heat exchangers, lube oil coolers, and transmission lube oil coolers; pickle in descaling liquid; clean surfaces; install new gaskets and seals; replace components 28 hours
Replace gasket at back of engine where oil is leaking 2 hours
Replace zinc anodes on bow and stern thrusters 2 hours
Parts / Labor Item Cost
Volvo Penta seawater pump — $940.00 x 2 $1,880.00
Kubota generator seawater pump $548.00
Gaskets and seals $226.00
Zinc anodes — $11.00 x 4 $44.00
Labor — 38 hours x $175.00/hr $6,650.00
Total Hours & Labor $9,348.00

Volvo Penta marine engine cooling system maintenance

Final Surveyor Conclusion

Based on ECU diagnostics, visual inspection findings, operational testing, oil analysis sampling, and sea trial observations, the propulsion systems aboard M/V MAKAHA appear mechanically sound and generally well maintained for engine age and operating hours.

Primary concerns are isolated to deferred seawater cooling-system maintenance and related service items identified throughout this report.

Pending correction of the cooling-system deficiencies, the engines demonstrated favorable operational characteristics including smooth cold starting, strong oil pressure, stable fuel delivery, minimal exhaust smoke, smooth transmission engagement, and proper electronic control operation.

Overall Machinery Condition: VERY GOOD

Professional Survey Notes

NOTICE:

The following statements limit the liability of the undersigned and set ethical standards associated with this report. Use of this report for any purpose constitutes acceptance of the following:

NOTE A: This report is issued without prejudice and is the property of the Requestor as listed above. Any use or distribution by another party is prohibited and shall render this report invalid.

NOTE B: This report is issued subject to the understanding that the undersigned surveyor is not responsible for error, omission, negligence, or misstatement. This report is a statement of my opinion based on the conditions as I found them. It is not a warranty, express or implied.

Survey Conducted By

Owner / Surveyor: Jeff Lendall

Jeff Lendall & Sons
805 Marine Diesel Mechanic