Volvo Boat Engines: Closed Systems Explained

Volvo Penta is a Swedish marine and industrial engine manufacturer, providing internal combustion engines and complete power systems to the marine industry. The company has a range of sterndrive and inboard drive systems, including the Volvo Penta IPS. One of the key advantages of Volvo Penta engines is that they are part of a complete propulsion system, which makes it easier for boat owners to source parts and services. In this article, we will explore the benefits of Volvo Penta's closed-cooling systems for boat engines, a feature that is designed to improve engine longevity and performance.

Volvo Penta's 2020 diesel engines

Volvo Penta's 2020 diesel engine offerings include upgraded D4 and D6 engines, a new DPI sterndrive, an upgraded IPS drive, and a new generation of its Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system. These new marine propulsion systems offer cost-of-ownership advantages, with the D4 and D6 engines burning between 1 and 7 percent less fuel than their previous generations and costing about 10 percent less to own.

The 3.7-liter D4 engine offers 150 to 320 hp, while the 5.4-liter D6 engine provides 300 to 480 hp. Both engines are designed specifically for marine duty, rather than being adapted from truck engines. This provides the advantage of a complete propulsion system from key switch to prop, for inboard, sterndrive, water-jet, or IPS variants. This design also simplifies parts and service for boat owners.

The common rail fuel-injection system in these engines features a higher pressure of 2,000 bar, controlled by a new engine management system. This enables more precise calibration and control of injection parameters, resulting in smoother operation and improved fuel efficiency. The engines also incorporate a fuel filter with a sensor and a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on the piston pin, reducing friction and enhancing durability.

Volvo Penta has also made advancements in the manufacturing process, including the use of pressurized assembly spaces to eliminate dust and grit, ensuring the internal surfaces of moving parts are optimized for long-term reliability. The new boost/charge air system features a larger supercharger and an improved handoff between the supercharger and turbo, delivering noticeable torque improvements.

The oil-change interval for these engines has been extended to two years, and the new gas-oil separator spins at 7,000 rpm, eliminating the need for a replaceable crankcase oil filter. These improvements, along with the new EVC system, contribute to Volvo Penta's commitment to "easy boating," providing boat owners with enhanced reliability, connectivity, and reduced ownership costs.

Cooling systems for Volvo boat engines

Volvo Penta offers a range of cooling systems for boat engines, including the Fresh Water Cooling System (also known as a Closed Cooling System) and the Raw-Water Cooling System.

Fresh Water Cooling System

The Fresh Water Cooling System is designed to prevent engine damage and improve performance by circulating an antifreeze/water mixture through the engine. This system is similar to the cooling system in a car, with the "radiator" in the marine system referred to as a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger uses raw lake or ocean water to absorb and remove heat from the engine's circulating water/antifreeze mixture. This process prevents corrosion and scale buildup, maintains proper engine temperature, and simplifies winterizing. It also extends the boating season by protecting the engine from freeze damage during winter months.

Raw-Water Cooling System

The Raw-Water Cooling System, on the other hand, pumps raw seawater directly into the engine for cooling. This system is initially less expensive but can cause irreparable damage to the engine due to the corrosive nature of seawater.

Volvo Penta Cooling System Components

Volvo Penta offers a range of components for their cooling systems, including water pumps, thermostats, thermostat housings, gaskets, seals, impellers, exhaust risers, and manifolds. Their systems are designed for ease of installation, long-term reliability, and reduced cost of ownership.

Volvo Penta's Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system

One of the key advantages of the EVC system is its digital controllability. By replacing cables with electric servos, the system allows for a wired connection to the EVC brain, which distributes signals to the appropriate servos. This enables automatic trim adjustment, with the trim servos paired with the throttles to ensure the optimal trim angle for different speeds. The system also includes a range of engine control functions, such as "Trim Assist", "Station", "Cruise Control", "Throttle Only", and "Single Lever", providing boaters with a high level of control and customizability.

The EVC system also features digital steering, with electrical impulses translating steering instructions from the wheel to the drives, resulting in fingertip-gentle controls. The sterndrive joystick further enhances maneuverability, allowing individual control of each outdrive's steering, power, and thrust.

The latest generation of the EVC system, known as EVC2, offers faster computing, improved diagnostics, and a sleek design. It acts as the electronic backbone of the boat, controlling and integrating the propulsion system. EVC2 helps boaters perform various functions, from docking the boat with the joystick to ensuring proper engine maintenance with the On Board Maintenance Assistant.

Overall, the Volvo Penta Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system is a significant technological advancement, offering improved performance, ease of use, and enhanced functionality for small boats.

Volvo Penta's IPS engine

The IPS engine by Volvo Penta is a complete propulsion system, including the key switch and prop. The IPS engine is available in inboard, sterndrive, water-jet, and IPS variants. The IPS 10, for example, is marketed as IPS 600 or 650 when coupled with a D6 engine of 440 or 480 hp. Volvo Penta's IPS engines are designed to reduce the cost of ownership. For instance, the oil-change interval is two years, compared to the previous standard of one year. Furthermore, a new gas-oil separator spins at 7,000 rpm, removing the need for a replaceable crankcase oil filter.

The IPS engine is part of Volvo Penta's Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system, which acts as the electronic backbone that controls and integrates the propulsion system into the whole boat. The EVC system helps boaters perform a variety of functions, from docking the boat with the joystick to ensuring the engines are running properly with a new feature called On Board Maintenance Assistant. This feature informs owners of service dates and keeps track of past servicing and diagnostic information with a real-time clock. The EVC system also enables remote diagnostics and worldwide uploading of upgrades.

The IPS engine by Volvo Penta is manufactured with new tooling, closer tolerances, and a work-hardened shell. Volvo Penta also installs both pressure and temperature sensors on the gear-oil filters to provide better monitoring and service. Additionally, gear oil can be changed from inside the boat, saving boat owners money by eliminating the need for a short haul. The IPS engine also features new prop-shaft seals that better protect the gears.

Volvo Penta's history

Volvo Penta is a Swedish marine and industrial engine manufacturer and has been part of the Volvo Group since 1935. The company evolved from a foundry in Skövde in 1907, when the first marine engine, the B1, was manufactured. The name Penta was created around 1916.

The Penta company soon became a well-known internal combustion engine manufacturer, which in 1927 delivered the engine for Volvo's first passenger car. In 1925, Penta was approached by Assar Gabrielsson, the founder of Volvo, who needed an engine for the first Volvo automobile. Penta then designed the four-cylinder 28 hp side valve Typ DA engine for the Volvo ÖV 4. In 1935, Penta became a subsidiary of Volvo.

Volvo Penta has introduced several innovations to the marine engine market, including the sterndrive unit, contra-rotating propellers Duoprop, and Forward Drive. In 2005, Volvo Penta launched the first IPS (Inboard Performance System) engine, a new "pod-type" boat drive system with counter-rotating forward-facing propellers operated by a joystick. Its engines are used by more than 140 boat manufacturers, including Tiara Yachts, Fairline Boats, and Sea Ray.

Volvo Penta has a long history of market-leading innovations and has remained focused on delivering solutions that improve the overall boating experience. Notable innovations include the Volvo Penta DuoProp (1982), Inboard Performance System (IPS) (2005), Joystick (2006), Glass Cockpit (2013), Forward Drive (2015), and Easy Connect (2018).

Today, Volvo Penta has a wide range of marine propulsion solutions for boats, whether power or sail, from 17 feet to over 100 feet. The company has approximately 4,000 dealers in over 130 countries and is a world-leading manufacturer of engines and complete power systems for boats, vessels, and industrial applications.

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