Exhaust system Volvo Penta (Spare Parts) - Volvo Penta Exhaust Elbows, Turbochargers

Volvo Penta marine diesel and Volvo Penta petrol engines are internal combustion engines, whose exhaust systems are very similar. Technically, the marine diesel engines are most of them, turbocharged, while petrol engines are naturally aspirated. After the ignition of the petrol engines and self-ignition for the diesel engines, the exhaust phase is more or less the same.  

The exhaust gases are expelled from the exhaust valve. Once the hot gases exit the combustion chamber, they go through the exhaust manifold. An exhaust manifold gasket serves as a seal between the exhaust manifold and your cylinder head. Ensuring that both surfaces are clean and level before installing the gasket is essential; otherwise, there could be leaks of exhaust fumes. For a naturally aspirated engine, the subsequent part will be the exhaust elbow/exhaust pipe, whereas a turbocharged engine will feature the turbo attached to the exhaust manifold

The turbo engines incorporate a steel gasket between the exhaust manifold and the turbocharger, and a v-band clamp links the exhaust elbow to the turbocharger to channel the gases towards the downpipe. The link between your Volvo Penta turbocharger and the exhaust elbow is typically without a gasket, so you must ensure that the surfaces are clean once more. It's widely understood that an issue with your turbocharger will impact both the exhaust system and the engine's overall performance; nonetheless, we will focus more on your Volvo Penta turbocharger later in this article. Your Volvo Penta elbow is attached to your exhaust manifold, with a gasket situated between these two components. Poseidon Marine offers many different references, both in mild steel and stainless steel, so that you can replace the component with a standard version or upgrade to stainless steel. On the other hand, all the Volvo Penta petrol engines' elbows offered are made of mild steel.

So, here comes the never-ending debate:  “New exhaust elbow - Cast iron or Stainless steel?”

In one sentence, we would respond that "A stainless steel exhaust elbow for your Volvo Penta would be superior, as it lasts longer and needs less maintenance." In detail, a stainless steel exhaust elbow will experience significantly less carbon buildup, a frequent cause of blockages in a mild steel elbow. The build-up, in turn, speeds up the rate of corrosion, which is further expedited in hot and salty environments. Wasn’t that the setting of most marine basins? Accurate. Another vital aspect of the exhaust elbows is the casting method. A welded elbow has vulnerabilities that will fail because of thermal fatigue. All of Recmar's stainless steel elbows for Volvo Penta are manufactured through investment casting (lost wax) with 316 stainless steel. Investment casting implies the absence of welds, resulting in no weak areas. Following the casting, the elbow undergoes machining to level the mating surfaces (this process imparts minor magnetic properties) and is subsequently galvanized for added protection.

 Summarized, the most eminent benefits of a stainless steel elbow are:

i) Less carbon deposition, less clogging over time.

ii) Longevity—higher value for money, quality made affordable.

iii) No chance of thermal fatigue.

So, what does a mixing elbow do?

The mixing elbow does precisely as its name indicates; it blends the hot exhaust gases with cool water to decrease the temperature and minimize noise levels.

The mixing elbow, also known as the exhaust elbow, is a part that is consumable and will require periodic replacement. What is the lifespan of an exhaust elbow? This answer is multifaceted and relies on the water's composition where you're boating, the thoroughness of your yearly maintenance, the status of your fuel system, your intake system, and all other associated exhaust components. Finally, and perhaps most crucially, the composition of the elbow and whether it has a sacrificial anode installed. For orientation purposes, a well-maintained cast iron elbow can endure over 8 years with recreational use, and some examples even surpass ten years. 

A cast iron elbow will show indications before it needs to be replaced it. How can you determine if the risers are faulty? How can I tell if my exhaust system is faulty? Both inquiries involve examining your existing exhaust system. If the walls of your elbow are greatly thinned out or if it’s beginning to disintegrate near the outlet, it’s a definite indication that a replacement is necessary. If you are uncertain, a mild acid soak will reveal the state of your elbow. Alternatively, you can sandblast it, as long as you avoid using a highly abrasive blasting material. In that manner, minor fissures or corrosion beneath the paint will become visible.

You need to change your exhaust elbow, and you have two choices: a costly genuine cast iron elbow or a less expensive, improved lost-wax cast stainless steel option. What do you prefer? Clearly, isn't it? However, what is the lifespan of a stainless steel exhaust? To be completely truthful, in the past decade, our options for stainless steel elbows were limited, with most being constructed from welded stainless steel, which is susceptible to thermal fatigue. Conversely, we have supplied Recmar’s cast investment elbows for a minimum of three years, without any defects or complaints, and we anticipate that they will last a lifetime in terms of technical performance.

Our extensive inventory will cover your needs, whether you are looking for an elbow for a compact Volvo Penta engine like MD11 and MD17 series, or a larger D41 D42 or D4 & D6 series.

Coming back to the previous topic, concerning the Volvo Penta turbochargers and “How to take care of a turbocharger for your Volvo Penta marine engine”?

As per the operator’s manual of various Volvo Penta marine diesel engines, a turbocharger will need cleaning every 150 hours of use or whenever there is a 10% or more reduction in the boost pressure. However, you can achieve similar or better results by just cleaning the aftercooler. As per the experience of many boat owners, the maintenance of the turbocharger should be better left to turbo specialists instead of doing a mounted cleaning, since this technique can be potentially dangerous. Generally, the health of your turbocharger is a multifactor issue, tightly related to the fuel system and the lubrication system. A bad injector, for example, might be responsible for black smoke, which causes, over time, carbon deposits on the turbo wheel. Problems with the intercooler can also reduce the lifespan of your turbo. Even worse, a damaged air filter can have small parts sucked into your turbo, ruining it completely. Leakage between the piping or poor lubrication can also be factors that may lead to premature wear of your Volvo Penta turbo. In our store, you can find a wide range of good-quality replacement turbochargers, made by Recmar.

Additionally, you can also find turbo-to-manifold installation gaskets and other turbo-related products.

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