Volvo Penta TAMD41 Rebuild, common faults and everything you need to know
Six-cylinder turbo diesel built on an industrial block. Thousands of Nordic motor cruisers of 30-40 ft from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. TAMD = Turbo Aftercooled Marine Diesel.
The TAMD41 is one of the most rugged motor-cruiser diesels Volvo Penta has ever made. Six-cylinder inline design on an industrial block, mechanical injection via a Bosch rotary pump, turbo with aftercooler. Most TAMD41s run trouble-free to 5,000+ operating hours with the right maintenance. The failure modes are concentrated in the ancillaries: internal corrosion of the aftercooler, turbo failure at high operating hours, and the raw-water pump's bronze housing suffering electrolysis. A complete engine rebuild on a TAMD41 is a big but predictable project. We carry out cylinder head reconditioning, cylinder boring, crankshaft reconditioning and complete engine reconditioning in our own machine shop with 12-month warranty. See also our boat engine rebuild hub page.
The TAMD41 at a glance
Drawn from Volvo Penta's 2003 TAMD41 brochure, the Goldcoast TAMD41M/P 1994 brochure, Maritime Propulsion and the Storebro Passion service archive.
TAMD41 variants
TAMD = Turbo Aftercooled Marine Diesel. The letter after 41 denotes the generation. Production runs to 2005 (TAMD41P-A).
| Variant | Power | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| TAMD41A | 200 hk | 1986-1989 | Original high-output variant, 16:1 |
| TAMD41B | 145-200 hk | 1989-1993 | Several output calibrations, 17.5:1 |
| TAMD41M | 170 hk | Early-mid 1990s | Mid output |
| TAMD41P | 200 hk | Mid 1990s | Sport / planing application |
| TAMD41P-A | 200 hk | 1994-2005 | The long-production version |
| TAMD41H / H-B | 146 hk | Late 1990s-2000s | Lower output, longer service life |
Note - a 230 hp variant does not exist. It is a widespread misconception circulating online. Maximum output across the entire TAMD41 series is 200 hp, documented in the original Volvo Penta brochure. The 230 hp engine is the KAD43, an entirely different model.
Common faults on the TAMD41
Cross-checked against Downeast Boat Forum, Trawler Forum, The Hull Truth, YBW Forum and Storebro Passion service bulletins.
Aftercooler corrodes internally
8-15 seasons • High- Symptoms
- Drastically reduced output, black smoke on acceleration, hot charge air, higher cylinder temperature.
- Cause
- The aluminium tubes in the aftercooler corrode internally from raw water. If they leak, salt water mixes with the charge air - catastrophic cylinder wear follows.
Turbo bearing wears out
3,000+ hours • High- Symptoms
- A whistle that changes character, oil pooling at the turbo, blue smoke, axial play felt when turning it by hand.
- Cause
- Natural wear on the Borg Warner K26/K27 turbo bearing. Made worse by shutting down cold without an idle period.
Raw-water pump - galvanic corrosion
Anode shortfall • High- Symptoms
- Raw water dripping from the pump, corroded surface, falling coolant flow.
- Cause
- The TAMD41 is notorious for a shortage of factory-fitted zinc anodes. Galvanic corrosion between the bronze housing and the steel shaft is well known on the series.
Cylinder liner wear
5,000+ hours • Medium- Symptoms
- Oil consumption, blue smoke on acceleration, falling compression on individual cylinders.
- Cause
- Natural wear at high operating hours. The TAMD41 has wet cylinder liners that are replaced during reconditioning.
Rotary pump calibration drifts
Long service intervals • Medium- Symptoms
- Darker smoke, falling output, higher fuel consumption, poorer cold starts.
- Cause
- The Bosch rotary pump's calibration drifts with age. Needs servicing at a specialist pump shop.
TAMD41 reconditioning prices
Bigger engine, more work. Based on TAMD41 specifications (6 cyl 92 mm). Excl. VAT and parts. Main operations - cylinder boring, crankshaft grinding, cylinder head resurfacing - carried out in our own machine shop.
Cylinder head reconditioning
Bottom end
Full rebuild
Turbo + aftercooler
Cylinder machining
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Cylinder liner replacement 6 cyl (wet liner) | 9 800 kr |
| Plateau honing 6 cyl | 1 575 kr |
Crankshaft work (6-cyl)
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Crankshaft grinding 6-cyl (7 main + 6 rod) | 4 280 kr |
| Polishing standard | 1 022 kr |
| Cleaning 6-cyl crankshaft | 1 176 kr |
Cylinder head 6-cyl
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Resurfacing cast-iron cylinder head 6 cyl | 2 100 kr |
| Pressure testing cylinder head 6 cyl | 2 800 kr |
| Valve seat cutting 12 valves | 1 365 kr |
| Valve guide replacement 12 pcs | 2 370 kr |
See also
Other Volvo Penta marine diesels and related services.
Questions and answers about the TAMD41
Is the TAMD41 a 4- or 6-cylinder?
Six-cylinder inline. Confirmed across Volvo Penta's own 2003 brochure, the Goldcoast TAMD41M/P 1994 brochure, the Hallberg-Rassy Club and Maritime Propulsion. Displacement 3,596 cc, bore x stroke 92 x 90 mm.
Is there a 230 hp variant?
No. The maximum output across the TAMD41 series is 200 hp (TAMD41A and TAMD41P). The 230 hp engine is the KAD43, an entirely different Volvo Penta model.
What does it cost to recondition a TAMD41?
Cylinder head reconditioning SEK 9,500-13,000 in labour. Complete engine reconditioning SEK 48,000-75,000 in labour, plus parts. Turbo and aftercooler can add SEK 8,000-18,000. For a TAMD41B in a Storebro 340 the total cost is typically SEK 65,000-95,000 excl. VAT.
What is the most common fault?
Internal corrosion of the aftercooler. Aluminium tubes + raw water = internal corrosion after 8-15 seasons. If they leak, salt water mixes with the charge air and cylinder wear accelerates. Other common ones: turbo bearing wear at 3,000+ hours, raw-water pump - galvanic corrosion (the TAMD41 is notorious for a shortage of factory-fitted zinc anodes).
How long does a reconditioned TAMD41 last?
5,000-8,000 operating hours is realistic with the right maintenance. The TAMD41 is one of Volvo Penta's most rugged engines - the block will take more than the maintenance regime allows. Many well-maintained examples pass 8,000 hours without a full rebuild.
How long does a TAMD41 rebuild take?
Cylinder head reconditioning: 2-3 weeks. Complete engine reconditioning: 4-7 weeks. A bigger engine takes more labour time, plus lead time on 6-cyl parts.
Have a TAMD41 that needs looking at?
Call us or send a quote request. Reply within 24 hours. We service all types of boat engines - see boat engine page. All rebuilds with 12-month warranty.