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Volvo IPS improvements

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by FishForFun, Mar 25, 2021.

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  1. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Oh I think you'll find some here who don't like the company itself and any innovation from them an excuse to balk.
  2. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    And just when I thought you've turned a corner you say that. Can't stand it when someone has a differing opinion? My writings are based solely on my experiences with the product, not dock talk or hearsay. I speak up so people can decide for themselves what to buy not just fanboy blubbering.
  3. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I think it's well documented that Volvo is one of the most innovative marine manufactures in history.
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  4. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    Yes innovate but that doesn't translate to reliable
  5. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    No corners to be turned. I call them how I see them, and also speak up so people can decide for themselves what to buy or not buy not from just blubbering and dock talk. My writings are also based on my experience with the product. Brought one from Detroit to Easthampton., sold them, taught on, gave orientations on and transported more than I can count. Btw, it wasn't you I was referring to. Go back a few years to the trashing of IPS by certain people in threads comparing it to Zeus and others threads. and you'll see what I mean. Reminded me of when they came out with the Duo-prop and everyone trashed them till the patent ran out. A lot of anecdotal "evidence", and precious little scientific.
  6. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Please back that up. Do you have any stats?
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The Volvo engines need another thread. My customers have had enough of the electronic side to sell and purchase another powered boat.
  8. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Two questions. What years? And were they serviced according to the maintenance schedules by factory certified Volvo technicians?
  9. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    As I feared, We need another thread on this.
    The issue is with the later ECM, ECU, ICU, or what ever the computer module is called on the later D6 engines.
    Inboard or IPS, Seems I had a few customers that tired of replacing these modules routinely.
  10. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    EVC failure....... i've seen it pop up on a few of them......lol...... turn off battery switches, wait 30 seconds, restart and you won't see it pop up for months (usually..... lol)......
  11. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    Early EVC 1 was a PITA and was replaced under warranty, which Volvo is very good with. I think we did 150 changes and not one e-mail from Volvo moaning.

    Volvo is always at the fore-front of marine tech, like many companies, and sometimes you get a swing and a miss. Other manufactures just bunt.
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  12. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    In my experience, lack of competence is widespread also among authorised VP technicians.
    BUT, it would be unfair to fingerpoint at them only.
    I personally witnessed one of them, fully factory certified, who struggled for half a day to understand some weird results he got from the diagnostic, while connected to an IPS+D6 powered boat.
    Eventually, he got in touch directly with someone in Sweden, who connected remotely to the notebook of the local technician.
    And guess what? After another half day, also the Swedish VP engineer gave up, and suggested the local tech to replace several modules, one at a time, and see if/when the boat controls will start working again.
    Talk about advanced diagnostics...

    Bottom line, innovative manufacturer?
    Possibly, but at the expense of their final clients.
  13. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Gee I've never heard of a tech having to check multiple things before zeroing in on the cause of a problem.:rolleyes: Did they get it figured out and fixed or did they walk away ? I had a Volvo tech come from Long Island to Cape Cod on a Saturday night to perform a warranty repair. That's 10 hours of travel time including 2 ferries. I sure wouldn't have balked if he had to call the factory if he needed advice.
  14. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    They walked away.
    In fact, all the parts needed for the empirical tests that the VP engineer recommended were not immediately available, and the boat was stuck for one week because one engine did not react to any command aside from turning it on and off.
    And I'm talking of a boat with less than 800 hours, religiously maintained by an official dealer right from her launch when new.
  15. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Well, anyone can have occasional issues. We have Volvo Stern Drives and service was flawless. Better than our Mercruisers on which we had few problems. On Volvo IPS and straight drives in recent years, in the US, I've heard complaints against dealers, but praise of Volvo for their handling of warranty claims. Unfortunately, too many times people had to go beyond dealers to Volvo to get things resolved correctly. In Europe, what I've heard, all second hand, from Volvo owners and from builders using Volvo has been positive and equal to their experiences with other manufacturers. I haven't had direct experience with them. Still I've strongly questioned others because I was bothered by the turns several manufacturers have made to Volvo. The reputation that had followed them disturbed me. However, today, I'd be more than willing to buy a Volvo powered boat if that's what the boat I wanted used. Still, I'd greatly prefer Cummins and MAN. Specifically, if buying a Riva Rivelle, I'd go with MAN but if buying a Rivamare, which only comes with Volvo, I would still buy it. Grand Banks 60 only comes with Volvo and I wouldn't let that dissuade me. And, I am a fan of Sabre and would definitely buy them with a Volvo IPS. If you say "no" to all Volvo, you're eliminating a lot of quality boats as they've greatly increased their base in the last few years.

    As to used Volvo, I'd look at age and survey and used IPS I'd be reluctant based on what I think about the original purchasers of many of them rather than the engines. I've seen too many purchased by beginners and subjected to a lot of abuse.
  16. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    "As to used Volvo, I'd look at age and survey and used IPS I'd be reluctant based on what I think about the original purchasers of many of them rather than the engines. I've seen too many purchased by beginners and subjected to a lot of abuse." I agree with OB. That's why I don't see them for larger boats so much as entry or early level. They're not the be all and end all of marine propulsion. They're something that helps a guy or girl who's not that experienced dock cleanly. Just like outdrives and outboards have their place. That's why I don't understand the venom. Volvo has brought a ton of people into boating, and kept many of them in boating. They're a good company that backs their product and they're probably the most innovative in the industry.
  17. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Funny you should mention that, because a boating mate of mine has a lovely 38 Express, powered by Cummins+shafts.
    Great boat, which I really like, so I understand your support of the brand.
    I'm not following them closely though, and wasn't aware that they also adopted IPS.
    So, I just checked their website, and you are correct: that's actually the only powerplant they are now offering.
    But if given the choice, do tell, would you rather have a Sabre 38 on VP D6+IPS or on Cummins+shafts?
  18. sgawiser

    sgawiser New Member

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    The key for the newer Sabre boats with IPS is that they were specifically designed for IPS from the hull up. That not only impacts performance, it also provides a great deal of extra space. On our 45, it made a utility room available where we had a full sized washer, dryer, storage cabinet, freezer, and most important, a wine cooler.

    Made a significant difference in the experience on trips of a month or more.
  19. f3504x4ps

    f3504x4ps Member

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    As with most computer components Volvo or any other. A lot of fixes is verify proper battery voltage and a clean ground to engine, then if getting strange readings I have found that disconnecting starting battery and all electrical connections to computer and sensors should be disconnected and verify no corrosion then reconnected and disconnect a few times once that is completed reconnect battery and see if issue goes away. It will fix most issues or will show you a sensor that had a bad connector connection crimp or burnt pin. I would have no issue buying a new boat with Volvo D6 duo prop, IPS no thank you don't want the headache of water intrusion and rebuild costs. The most unfortunate issue with Techs factory certified or not is a lot of them are parts exchangers. When I was a certified Ford tech the service manual would have you pin out (check Circuit) readings for an issue say no start but engine cranks, you can test all the way to the computor and all sensors and the last step may say try know good sensor or module or computer. Had it happen a few times. I hold on to old parts to assist in diagnostic issues.
  20. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    As that choice isn't available and I have no performance data to compare, it's hard to speculate, but based on their development and refinement with IPS I'd very likely choose the IPS. Sabre has spent a lot of time and effort with pods. By the same token, I wouldn't think of asking LARS to put shafts on his Delta. Princess is another builder, in spite of all the reasons I wouldn't choose them, that has long worked and designed around IPS. I always consider the pairing.

    The one time I had the choice to make, I had a choice on a Sunseeker between IPS and MAN. I did test one with IPS and it performed well, but I had complete performance data on IPS, MAN 1000 and MAN 1200. I chose MAN 1200 as I felt the MAN 1000 was underpowered and the MAN 1200 and IPS were relatively equal in performance. The IPS had overall better fuel usage but due to misuse of space a smaller fuel capacity. The IPS had a greater draft. The MAN performed better in mid range. Last, you picked up no space or other advantages as the boat was clearly designed for shafts, not for IPS. If my only choices had been MAN 1000 and IPS, I might have chosen the IPS, just for the added speed.

    I go in with objectivity and evaluate the given options.