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2008 VOLVO 8.1 Gi 375 Hp Problems
Hi everyone,
I am new on this site. I am the owner of a 2008 Vista 278 with the above engine plus EVC instaled.
I am still in the Guarantee -till September- and I had -and again have issues with the Volvo.
To start :The Drive broke down at 240 hours and onlythe upper part was replaced. I was not given an explanation why this happened appart from a material fault. Volvo refused to change the lower part as well.
Before Xmass a noise started (sounded in the valves) and just a week before Volvo after my Lawyer was involved came to examine the boat that was for all this time -(Half the extended guarantee time)- not opperating at all in fear of cousing a more serious problem.
The problem was indeed located on the valves -the coques on top of the valves were burned.- Sorry I am not familliar with the technical term for it.
Also, there is always some sea water in the engine compartment after each use and I use bildge pump. Is it normal?? I had boats with outboards till this one.
I am a particularly careful captain -all my services are done 20 -15 hours earlier, always checking for any leacks or other problems, the engine works between 2200 - 2500 rpm tops!! I always warm up the engine and never switch it off right away.
I am convinced now something is wrong with this engine -drive system.
The Volvo authorised mechanics seem to be under the Omerta (Mafia's oath of silence)
If I use a non authorised mechenic I know and trust my guarantee is void...
Can any friend help??? I will be grateful on all the info provided.
Does any one know if there is a manufacture problem with these engines -dps drives???
I am at the point to exchange my boat because of the Volvo engine ,but I do like my boat and it took an incredible amount of time -money -energy to bring it to my needs and desires.
Thanks
Andreas Soulis Corfou -Greece

Sorry to hear of all your troubles.

After a little on-line research the only problem that shows up is water reversion due to low risers. I would discuss with the mechanic if this could be related to the burned coques on the valves.

We have a 2006 278 with the 8.1 Volvo + DPS (no EVC) and think it is an excellent motor and after the same 240 hours have not had any motor issues. The only problem we had with our DPS was self-inflicted.

The Volvo mechanic not saying anything may be due to him simply not knowing what is going on. The motor only revving to 2500 RPM sounds like a self-protection mode enforced by the EVC.

Water in the bilge is somewhat normal depending on how much water. It would be good to find out where the water comes from.

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2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

Hi and a Thanks for your responce.
Well sounds like I should have got an earlier engine model. I can not imagine and hope for anything else than an engine series problem. I have been searching on line too looking for similar problems but no luck so far.

About my Kohler generator... Yes... It refuses to work as well... It starts and then stops.. I am expecting to finish the engine problem to concentrate on this issue. Though my Kohler Service changed the fuel pumps (a set of two) and c harged more than 500$ still the generator will not keep working. It does if one pumps manualy fuel to it but when we stop pumping it stops obviously running out of fuel.!!!
I am thinking of an Excorsism -nothing else worked so far.............

Hi, what fault code does your generator displays?

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Dan
2008 V318 5.7 Gi
KAMARIA

Can you tell us more about the fuel you are using?? Octane and if it contains ethanol and if so, how much??

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2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

Do you run one tank? If it is low your genset maybe out of fuel. The genset fuel pick up is higher so you dont run out of fuel on the pick. Just a thought.