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Well. Bad news. Survey and oil analysis of the Volvo engine in the DE38 which I am in the process of buying have revealed several issues which indicate that a major rebuild or replacement may be needed. I know that a lot of details are needed to answer this accurately, but still my question to you owners is which engine (and size) would be the best suited. The current engine is a 44 hp Volvo 3 cylinder turbo. Thoughts?
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You can't get a new Universal diesel anymore as they went out of business in the 80's. However it is just a kubota tractor engine built for a boat application. However all is not lost. Beta Marine sells new kubota engines that I believe can be a straight drop in replacement for the original universal diesels. Here is a link to their engines page showing the different ones. You would need to call them and talk to them about it. Since you have a volvo in there now then the engine mounts might not be standard anymore as well as instruments etc..
http:/www.betamarinenw.com/Products/engines-betamari.html
other options is used engine, or rebuild on this one. Any engine above 34 hp should match or exceed factory specs.
Here is a page on the website that has a lot of universal engine info. The univeral was the stock engine for the DE's. I know over the years a lot of them were replaced with volvo's, perkins, etc.... also that there were a few from the factory with different engines at the request of owners.
http://downeasteryachts.com/in.....ngine-info
Scott
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Thanks, Scott. Your link to Beta Marine did not go through, but I will contact the local Beta dealer tomorrow.
Also have the local Volvo man on call for a more detailed inspection and analysis, but he can't get there for two weeks.
I am sure there is a solution. Just a question of $$$!!!
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So it looks like there is an issue with creating links.. it is appending the downeasteryachts.com website to the beginning of the link. I have just re-edited the post and put the link in as text you can copy and paste. I will have to dig into the issue with the links later in the week when I have a moment. Always something 
thanks for letting me know it wasn't working so I know I have an issue.
Scott
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Thanks for getting the good link to Beta engines, Scott.
I hope I don't have to go that far. The issue is high level of sodium in the oil. Strange how that got there with a FW cooled engine.
Maybe we just have to change the oil, run it a while and test it again.
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sodium but not water?
I would think the only way to get sodium would be for seawater to get in. Which would take a leak in both the saltwater heat exchanger as well as in the head gasket/head on the engine.
color me puzzled.. maybe there is some other weird engine process with the oil going on. Did the report just state that there was sodium or also list reasons it could be elevated...
ok a few minutes research and here you go... doesn't look good
http://www.machinerylubricatio.....assium-oil
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Hi Scott. Thanks for doing that research. I agree that it does not look good. I am in touch with two diesel specialists to get to the bottom of this issue. Purchase of vessel in question is suspended pending resolution.
There are lots of tiny spots (aka blisters) on the hull, but I am told they are not to be taken too seriously.
Then there is the cutlass bearing....and...it does go on, but mostly conventional issues that have conventional solutions.
Cheers
Bob
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They are old boats and always have some work to be done. We are actually talking about selling valkyr.. neither of us want to but we have just not been using her and we don't want to see her become a dock queen. Not sure we will really decide to, its kinda bummer even thinking about it she has been in the family for a while now. Especially after going to all the work to put 500 watts of solar on her and the hard dodger, mostly new rigging etc.. just a couple years ago.
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It's tough to part with a member of the family, but boats do need to be used (and maintained) or they start to go downhill. If you don't mind the maintenance, its always nice to have a boat ready to go out for a sail when the weather permits. Hard to beat that!
Yes, they are old, but this one is in pretty good condition (except where it's not!) I have read about the extensive refits that people have done and shudder at the thought of undertaking so much work.
Back to the engine, the oil analysis people do say that the analysis points to cylinder wear and coolant contaminant, much line the report you found. I am sure these things can be repaired, but with the cost of labor these days it might be cheaper in the long run to replace. We'll see once the experts have done their examination.
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Bad news from the engine front. The local Volvo dealer recommends replacing the old banger (only 25 years old) with a shiny new one.
Rather tempting except for the price. It seems that the injectors are bad (expected) but so is the turbo and the heat exchanger. Price of new parts is getting close to the price of a new engine, so I am tempted to bite the bullet.
A related question is which engine? Volvo or Yanmar? I drive a Volvo automobile and love it. I have great faith in them, but others say that there are not a lot of service centers around the world and parts are expensive. OK, but I don't plan to sail around the world and with a new engine am not likely to need many parts in my lifetime. So it may come down to resale value. Any thoughts?
Bob
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Well, I bit the bullet and agreed to replace the old Volvo Penta engine with a new one. Now just waiting for the job to be done.
I am sure the Volvo Penta people know how to perform this operation, but just curious if DE38 owners have any particular tips to share about the best technique for pulling out the old unit and dropping in the new one. I'll search in the forum as well in case this has been discussed before.
Bob
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Bob:
HOpe the new engine puts your mind at ease. One less thing to worry about for years.
I wound up having to rebuild my Yanmar 4JH as the PO had let the boat sink at the dock and tried to start the engine without taking the injectors out first....
Good thing we did as almost everything in the fairly new engine was "compromised:" Crap.
I've had 2 Yanmars so far and loved them both. Seem to be solid and reliable with good maintenance but I know Volvos have also been around forever.
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