volvo penta, blown head gasket?

lordblitzalot · May 17, 2009

well i have taken my boat out a couple times this week, and the first time i noticed it lost alot of power.
it was doing around 30mph at wot and i noticed that it was only getting about 10mph at wot the last couple times, and it was very hard to get it started and keep it running.

but anyhow i took it out yesterday and after about a half hour of trying to get it started i was finally off.
i got about 3 miles down the river (almost to where i was wanting to anchor) and the motor choked and died.
i tried several times to get it started but it seemed like it was having a really hard time cranking over, and it would not start at all.
then i noticed it has water in the oil (looks like chocolate milk)

any suggestions on what it might be?
i was thinking a blown head gasket but not sure, i dont really know too much about boats.

any info would be greatly appreciated.

forgot to say it is a 1971 21' glastron with a volvo penta motor and drive

captdre · May 17, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

if you know how to do a compression test i'd start there, or get one done.

Robj · May 17, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

Volvo Penta motor does not mean much. They used many different motors, need more info on what type of motor. There may be a metal ID tag riveted onto the block by the starter. Could be many things, if it is only a head gasket you are very fortunate.

Have a great day

Rob.

lordblitzalot · May 17, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

alright i will find the tag on it and let you know what it is.
it is parked at a friends house becuase i dont have the room for it here otherwise i would just do it now.

lordblitzalot · May 18, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

i went and looked at it today and the only plate i found were on the inside of the engine compartment on the housing (i think) for the outdrive
here is the numbers on the plate:
PN# 850676 8406
S# 253849
there was something else that could be the numbers though (there is a pic below) the number there if you cant see it is 430101

here is a pic of the outdrive a few of the motor and 2 of what the oil looks like:
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/2624/sl371729.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2181/sl371730.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2163/sl371732.jpg
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5324/sl371736.jpg
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1001/sl371735.jpg
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6358/sl371731.jpg
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/1811/sl371733.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7194/sl371740.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/3543/sl371739.jpg

danond · May 18, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

Do a compression test. Post the results.

Don S · May 18, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

It's probably an AQ170A, they were used from 69 to 72.

I have to assume that the gray stick is the dipstick and the level is WAY over full.
Probably a cracked block due to improper or missed winterization. Block froze and cracked. Blown head gasket to cylinder would not cause that.

lordblitzalot · May 18, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

yes the grey stick is the dipstick.
it was at the right level, the the way that i was holding it made the oil go down the dipstick.

the water was all drained out during the freeze and i have taken it out several times since then (about 15) with out any problems until the last 2 times i have went out.
nut during the colder weather i always unscrewed all the plugs and ran it until all the water was out, and i kept an eye on the temp making sure it didnt go above normal

EDIT:
i will grab a compression gauge and test it within the next couple of days and post the results

Don S · May 18, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

If the oil level is staying in the correct spot, but you are gaining water, you could have a leaky head gasket, but I doubt a compression check will tell you anything.
If you were to do a leakdown test on each cylinder and listen at the oil fill cap on the valve cover, you would be able to tell which one it was. Could also be the oil cooler (that thing under the oil filter). If it gets a hole in it, water can come in and oil leak out.

lordblitzalot · May 18, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

the other thing i did not mention is last time i took it out (2 days ago) i forgot to put the plug in when i launched it and didnt get it in until i parked my trailer and got back to the boat on the dock (about 5 minutes) so it got quite a bit of water in the engine compartment.
but i didnt figure it was enough to hurt anything, and it was acting funny the time before that, that i took it out too.

lordblitzalot · May 18, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

also is there somewhere where i should look to find out exactly what motor it is?
i would like to get the manual for it to better help me on figuring out the problem and fixing it.

Don S · May 18, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

The manual is easy. Here are links to the OEM service manual.

http://www.4shared.com/account/file...0_thru_170_Serv_Man.html?sId=3GAi9DdB5f0CzVqo

Assuming you have a 270 outdrive (that's what the pictures look like) here is a link to that manual.

http://www.4shared.com/account/file...rive_service_manual.html?sId=3GAi9DdB5f0CzVqo

lordblitzalot · May 18, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

right on,
thank you very much..

lordblitzalot · Jun 4, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

i did a compression test today on the cylinders 3 got 90 2 got 120 and the last one got 30

bruceb58 · Jun 4, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

lordblitzalot said:
nut during the colder weather i always unscrewed all the plugs and ran it until all the water was out, and i kept an eye on the temp making sure it didnt go above normal

If you ran this engine without water going to it, you may also be needing a water pump impeller.

Also, if you don't have water running to the engine and the temp sender did not have water around it, you could have been overheated without seeing the gauge go up. If so, it is possible you warped your head causing the problem you have right now.

Don S · Jun 4, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

OK, You have low compression, but that tells you nothing about where the water is coming from. A bad valve will cause low compression, but has nothing to do with the water.
That is why I say a compression test is a waste of time when searching for why water gets in the oil.

tom travers · Jul 23, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

I'm Havng A Problem With Water In The Oil, The Oil Level Rises.
I Drain Some Out Every So Often, And It Looks Like Grey Milk, But Still Oily, Could It Be Gas And Not Water.
When I Drain Some Out (into A Container) And Let It Sit It Seperates The Oil Goes To The Top.
After The Boat Sits Overnight The Oil On The Dipstick Is Clean Oil, Any Suggestions On Where To Start Trying To Solve The Problem.
The Engine Is A Volvo Penta 6 Cylinder Aq 170 A, About 1975. Or Earlier. Is It Ok To Keep Draining And Adding Oil Just To Keep It Running 'til Winter. I Don't Go More Than A Few Miles And Not Fast.
Thanks
Tom T

IVAZ · Jul 23, 2009

Re: volvo penta, blown head gasket?

tom travers said:
I'm Havng A Problem With Water In The Oil, The Oil Level Rises.
I Drain Some Out Every So Often, And It Looks Like Grey Milk, But Still Oily, Could It Be Gas And Not Water.
When I Drain Some Out (into A Container) And Let It Sit It Seperates The Oil Goes To The Top.
After The Boat Sits Overnight The Oil On The Dipstick Is Clean Oil, Any Suggestions On Where To Start Trying To Solve The Problem.
The Engine Is A Volvo Penta 6 Cylinder Aq 170 A, About 1975. Or Earlier. Is It Ok To Keep Draining And Adding Oil Just To Keep It Running 'til Winter. I Don't Go More Than A Few Miles And Not Fast.
Thanks
Tom T

Hello Tom,
You should start your own thread. It gets confusing to have different people asking questions. Good luck with your issue.

volvo penta, blown head gasket?

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