Volvo MD7A fix

[@dgbest005]

i have same engine and same problem. i did same thigns as you did this summer but i stopped half way through. i mean that now i understood 1 missing part. have to change the thermostatic valve. thank you very much!!

[@AlexPayne-v1d]

Very nice video. I am having the same issue and you video gave me numerous new ideas!

[@NoelDiotte]

Good job. I bought a MD7A on a '79 CD 30. Old owner told me the engine was "finished". In a rainy February on the hook, cleaned the manifold with screwdrivers, no good gasket, gooped cement...Thermostat spring was broken. I wired it open enough until I got a replaced one.....been working for 10 years. Sweet little engine. I never abuse it. I try to sail than push it. After all, it is just an "auxiliary".

[@Spasmomen]

My 1977 MD7A started smoking as well. I will have to rewatch a few times to fully understand what you did, but at least it's giving me hope that it's something I can fix.

[@Nifilheimur]

Thanks alot for this video. Just bought an old sailboat with this engine knowing it has heating issues. I will give these a try first. Got the boat cheap due to this issue but am hellbent on getting it running. It sounds so great.

[@directorstu]

Obviously I don't know the condition but they are pretty basic tech. Parts4engines do got parts at non volvo prices. I'm willing to bet its the heat exchanger. If brick cleaner doesn't sort it you might be playing the 'take it off without snapping a bolt' game. But even that isn't too difficult . Best of luck.anf let us know how you get on. S

[@Nifilheimur]

@@directorstu yeah plan to service the engine and check the saildrive over, swap out impeller and then take a look at the heat exchanger and plumbing. Im pretty sure ill get it running smooth in the weekend. Cheers for the reply and have a good evening.

[@dandouglas4534]

Thanks for providing some crucial info! I'm replacing the thermostat on a MD7A. Every parts supplier sells a replacement kit that is supposed to work for both the Volvo Penta MD6A and the MD7A. Both motors take the same thermostat, but not the same o-rings / bushings. The MD6A thermostat housing is shaped sort of like home plate. It has two locations / holes for sealing rings / o-rings. The MD7A thermostat housing has an arm sticking off the bottom, with a third hole in it. This is shown at 2:29 of your video. The hole in that arm connects with the copper tube coming from the impeller pump at the back of the motor - we see that tube at 2:18 of your video, labeled "water comes out here". At 2:29 of the video we see an o-ring at the third hole in the arm of the housing. We get another good look at the housing at 4:38, and in that view the o-ring is not the third hole. If anyone can explain how that connection can be made watertight, I'll be so grateful. Dan

[@directorstu]

The push fit tube connections can be a bit fiddly but do go back without too much hassle. A fresh rubber ring helps. I used gasket paste on the housing edges. Not too much.

[@valdemarlowgren4632]

Thank's a million times for sharing Your experiences working With Your engine. I find Your video very educative. Having spent the weekend struggling with the temperature of the engine, I was about to accept that our engine was a 20 minute worker. Athough the Challenges of our engine are a bit different from that of Yours I picked the cleaning of the cooling manifold as the first thing to do on our Volvo MD 7 A. Walle

[@directorstu]

Thanks. Nice feedback. They are essentially fairly straightforward. Initially inscrutable but once you get your hands dirty and invest some time it kinda comes together. Best of luck.

[@rodrigopanchiniakfernandes3148]

Thanks a lot for sharing. I'm going to replace the thermostat on my md6a soon and your video is very valuable.

[@directorstu]

My pleasure. ASAP we're good suppliers. Best of luck with it

[@hecra6521]

Good work!

[@chrismccartney8668]

Thanks good video looking at a westerly with MD7A currently I have Hunter with 2 stroke outboard on out board impeller just goes hard and segments break off and if course hot salt water in contact with alloy is hardly the best mix !! Stuck thermostats or no thermostat are both common issues..

[@Entgineer]

Hey man, thanks a ton for posting this!!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@directorstu]

My pleasure. Just passing it on.

[@CraigSpence-y4p]

Hi having the same problems with my Md7a, checked impeller, and thermostat both ok, only replaced the thermostat and cooling manifold two years ago, so going to try and flush with brick cleaner, did you do this with the thermostat in place and how long did you run the cleaner through the engine for? Thanks

[@gunnarhaldorsen4185]

Perfect! Thanks a lot for sharing this story and advice. I have the same engine and it's barely cooling, as well as giving off a lot of steam. The coast guard of Norway approched me one night, with their seeking light/torch towards me, calling up on the VHF: Do you have problems and need assistance? We see smoke coming from your boat. Fortunately, it stayed right below the alarm heat, so I said I was fine and kept motoring. Now the alarm comes on quite soon, and only a tiny spray of water in the exhaust, so it's time to do the same job and hope I'm able do it, and that it works. Thanks again. Gunnar, Norway

[@directorstu]

Hi It is a matter of being patient and trying one thing and then another. 1 - check impeller 2 - check thermostat 3 - check for blockage in cooling block Good luck with it. If I can do it im sure you can!

[@ruitenwasser1]

Hello , Great job ! thnx for sharing the advice . Same problem here , i have the same engine ,so where did you order the spare part for the engine ? On the previus maintenance of this seasson i discoverd that the seawater pump was leaking a bit . So i think i'm gone try the waterpump replace kit and while i'm up ther check the things you did . Thanks Greetings from belgium

[@directorstu]

ASAP-supplies. Com have a great site. Easy to search. Good pricing and fast delivery. Good luck!

[@papaya_virus]

THANKS!

[@dalegoodman9779]

Hi there! Great video. I have the same problem with my md6a. I wonder where you get your parts? Cheers!

[@dalegoodman9779]

@Stuart Hughes Awesome Stuart! Many thanks! I have hull number 2364. Great boat!

[@dalegoodman9779]

@Stuart Hughes have you ever looked into a closed loop cooling system?

[@directorstu]

@@dalegoodman9779 i was flicking g through the paperwork on my current boat and found that this closed loop was an option the original owner paid about 3k for un 1988. Vp 2003. Ouch. Not a bad idea in principle for the 6a but I guess its a matter of priorities. There is always x10 things to fix. Is it worth spending money on a system thats plodded along OK for over 50 years . Closed loop not v complex but still a fair bit of mucking about to get it right. For my md7a I think I'd not have bothered even if a new heat exchanger was needed every 10 years.

[@directorstu]

@@dalegoodman9779 is this the Jag 27? Yep fantastic boat

[@dalegoodman9779]

@@directorstu Albin Vega 27. Fantastic boat. I just wish I didnt lose the key to the ignition! As a fix I mounted a Tohatsu 6HP Sailpro on mine. Lovely and lightweight motor that sips fuel and is portable. If anyone has a fix for getting a new key or perhaps a suggestion for a new ignition switch that would be much appreciated! I would like to try a closed system if I can find a kit compatible with the MD6A.

[@haywardsteve]

I see you cruise the Medway

[@directorstu]

Indeed I do. Home port.

[@Headwind-1]

haha no just turn the top plate over then you have another new surface. . . .