Volvo D3 160hp diesel sterndrive - The Hull Truth

Wet Ones · 05-13-2005, 03:53 AM

Hello all,
I was wondering if anyone owns or has been on a boat that runs the Volvo D3 160hp sterndrive diesel. They've been out a few a years now and I haven't seen any owner information on them, I've seen magazine reviews but they need to be taken with a grain of salt.

I'm replacing a mercruiser 165 6cyl sterndrive soon and like the sound of this motor but would rather not be the test guinea pig for this motor.
Any first or seond hand knowledge would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Josh

Chuck Bates · 05-20-2005, 07:07 PM

I was in a Volvo car that had this engine in it. Volvo car calls it a D5. I was surprised when told that it wasn't a gas engine. It has tons of low-end torque and was very quiet (unlike the ball-bearing sound I'm used to from diesel). Campion boats has a performance report on their Explorer 602 with this engine in it at website: http://www.campionboats.com/2005/exp...C.php?Report=1

This test is with a single prop. The D3 160hp is now available with duoprop. You can compare the D3 with the Gas 225 O/B, 5.0 and 4.3 sterndrive. The D3-130hp may also be an option for you. It's torque curve is comparible to a 190hp gas sterndrive.