While changing the turbo of the Volvo D2-75 engine on our sailboat Fabule, we found an answer to an ongoing question: Does increasing the RPM while using the engine help cleaning the soot of the turbo? We also investigated several common issues of the Volvo D2-75 turbo, such as:
• Exhaust elbow corrosion (all D2 engines)
• Wastegate getting stuck in closed position
• Turbo soot and corrosion state
Because this information is not easily available on-line, we decided to share our findings in this post together with our plan for the turbo care and maintenance.
We prepared a PDF document available for download. Have fun!
4 replies on “Volvo D2-75 Turbo: Soot Cleaning and Carbon Burn Data”
Thank you for your post and pdf on this subject.
Since a good friend of mine is having the same problems, although he sails with an ALLURES, I sent him your pdf with your explainations.
Here is his (translated from german) reply.
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Oh, very interesting!
That matches my research on the Allures forum exactly. Everyone’s having the same problems with this rubbish design!
You really do have to keep on top of the maintenance.
I’ve come to a different conclusion, though: if you fit a stainless steel manifold, then in my opinion the engine itself effectively becomes a sacrificial anode for the manifold. I find that worrying. Something has to corrode instead of the manifold, and that can only be inside the engine. That’s why we don’t make this replacement, but instead inspect the manifold regularly every year (you should do that on every boat and with every engine anyway; it’s a critical component).
Thanks again for passing this on; it’s very enlightening and confirms what I thought!
Stephan
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
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So, has we can see, the problem is discussed in other forums aswell.
I also know from him, that VOLVO has been VERY UN-HELPFULL in providing service, let alone reimboursment for any part under warranty.
They try to sit the problem out with not answering mails or calls and work toward a goal, that you buy a new part (or even engine) if there is no other solution…
Sending you kind regards and positiv vibes from Makkum NL.
Kindest, Roger
Salut Roger,
I am not too worried about galvanic corrosion. For that to happen, a circuit has to close and I am not sure it does. I suspect that the heavy corrosion we experienced is due to salt water at hot with exhaust gaz, hence I expect the new elbow to slolve that issue. It is a chemical corrosion, instead of a galvanic corrosion if you follow my drift.
But as Bryan suggested, we will take a peak at that the next time I will change the oil in about 350 h. Then we will know.
Merci beaucoup pour ton commentaire et le superbe article sur la reparation d’Avaley. Un tres bon travail. (j’ai pas d’accents…). Bise `a Rachelle et a toi.
Great article that I am sure will help those with a D2-75 keep on top of maintenance. Exhaust elbows on Volvo’s are considered a consumable item and are recommended to be inspected every 12 months or 300-500 hours whichever comes first. This inspection involves their removal and not just looking for rust stains on the outside.
Bonjour Bryan,
Thank you very much for the information. I was not aware of that, curriously not in the user manual, and not done by the mechanics on the many times they worked on the engine. That’s why I also decided to do that myself, and there is a bit of a learning curve there… :o) But I am learning.
The old elbow was so corroded that one screw was jammed solid and I broke two alan keys trying to get it out. Finally, and because the turbo was dead, I grinded the screw head and used my big hammer to separate the elbow from the turbo to witness the dammage. Anyway the waste gate was irrecoverable, hence the full replacement.
Looking forward to see you soon.
Bise to Denise and you.
Yan