4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

[paperklip]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

The engine has new oil in it and a new set of plugs (the old ones were horrible). I did the compression test on each cylinder today. I ran the motor with muffs on for a bit, then stopped the water to run the engine up to "warm" before stopping it. I then removed the plugs, grounded the distributor feed, wide-opened the throttle, and hooked up the gauge to cylinder one. When I cranked it, I noticed liquid shot out of plug #3 and onto a rag hanging on the boat rail! I thought it might have been gas, but smelled it, and it was water! doh! I continued the test on all cylinders and then ran the motor dry for a couple minutes to get any residual moisture out of cylinder #3. Here are the findings which I came to expect after seeing the water:

Cylinder 1: =155
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l198/jlandin/boat/IMG_0218.jpg

Cylinder 2: =150
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l198/jlandin/boat/IMG_0220.jpg

Cylinder 3: = 85
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l198/jlandin/boat/IMG_0221.jpg

Cylinder 4: = 160
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l198/jlandin/boat/IMG_0222.jpg

So, I'm guessing it could be a head gasket or even a cracked/warped head.

I guess my next step is to start breaking it down and pulling off the head right?

Eventually I need to determine if it's more worth it to re-power this boat, or to fix this engine and convert it back to a closed cooling system. What think ye?

 

[sqbtr]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

Pull the head and take some pics.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

At this point, the easiest thing may be to scout a donor boat with a complete running 125A/B engine (closed cooling and all) and swap it into your boat. Consider the fact that the issue you have right now may possibly require finding a head, having that head cleaned up by a machine shop, installing that head, then 3-4 years from now the new head pits and corrodes from the salt water, and your in the same position you're in now. It would make more sense to nip it in the bud, and make things right, now. Probably wouldn't cost much more than the fuss you may have to go through to address the issue with your current engine.

 

[paperklip]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

I'm on the hunt, and strongly considering that. If I did do that, I'd like to put a few more horses in it if possible. Any idea which other engines would be compatible with that LU/ratio/etc?

If it's just a head gasket, maybe it would be worthwhile to keep the engine. Then obtain an exchanger, expansion tank, etc and put it back to a closed cooled. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't want to keep using this motor on raw.

 

[paperklip]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

Pull the head and take some pics.

Here we go... I pulled the head today. When I removed the exhaust manifold I could see some major corrosion on 3 and 4. I spoke to a mechanic who said those two ports are the first to go and this is common.

Intake side all looked fine. Once I got the head off, cylinders 1, 2, and 4 looked good, but 3 looked a mess.

Flipped the head over and found a hole in 3... :-(

I guess I need to start calling junkyards in search of a head and possibly a whole a151. I thought about welding it, but who knows what kind of other corrosion is yet-unseen.

I think I'll also need a machine shop to clean up the 3 cylinder wall too. The way it feels, I wouldn't be surprised if this was a smaller hole for awhile. :-(

Bummer...

 

[Don S]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

The ports don't just go away for no reason, what happens is you are getting water in it from a bad manifold.

 

[paperklip]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

The ports don't just go away for no reason, what happens is you are getting water in it from a bad manifold.

Right, sorry that's what i meant (and what he said). That a bad manifold leaking water in tends to corrode 4 and then 3.

Interesting how plugged up the water channels are on both the head and block.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

Interesting how plugged up the water channels are on both the head and block.

It should be a problem, except you have an automotive engine, half azzed together by someone without a clue. The engines are normally fresh water cooled, you the genius that put that mess together eliminated it, so you have raw water running through the head where it should be antifreeze. Throw the engine away, and look for a new one that is proper for a boat.
Don't even throw anymore money or time at that junk.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

This is what happens when you run salt water through an engine that has an aluminum head.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

I guess I need to start calling junkyards in search of a head and possibly a whole a151. I thought about welding it, but who knows what kind of other corrosion is yet-unseen.

I think I'll also need a machine shop to clean up the 3 cylinder wall too. The way it feels, I wouldn't be surprised if this was a smaller hole for awhile. :-(

Bummer...

Don't even bother trying to save the block, or getting another head. By the time your done with boring 4 holes, new pistons, bearings, core plugs, gaskets, oil pump, cylinder head, and scouting a complete closed cooling system, you could have found a complete running AQ131/145/151 to drop in for less money, less work.

 

[sqbtr]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

Agreed, put a fork in it. It's done

 

[paperklip]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

I've been searching all over. Compatible motors are hard to come by for this setup. While I continue searching do I have other options? Like...

What kind of transom mods are reasonably possible? I've seen online where guys have converted to an outboard, but honestly that seems a bit scary and more of a project than I want to get into. However, is buying a whole other inboard-outboard setup (engine, bell/transom-mount, lower unit) an option? Would there be additional strengthening needed? I'm assuming nothing smaller than what's there, so it would involve some cutting, etc. How common is this?

EDIT: FYI, the existing engine is not cantilevered in there. It has 2 front motor mounts.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

The ports don't just go away for no reason, what happens is you are getting water in it from a bad manifold.

I have a feeling it wasn't because of a bad manifold. It was because there was massive electrolysis because of the aluminum head steel block combo and the head just corroded all the way through.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

What kind of transom mods are reasonably possible? I've seen online where guys have converted to an outboard, but honestly that seems a bit scary and more of a project than I want to get into.

You don't want to go there. You would need to properly patch the hole for the outdrive, and either; A. build a splashwell, which isn't going to be easy/cheap, or B. Have some ridiculous looking mount hanging off the back for the outboard, with enough structural integrity in the transom to hold said ridiculous looking mount/engine under load. You would need to be prepared for the boat to look like hell, and be stern heavy. You would be better off looking for another boat.

However, is buying a whole other inboard-outboard setup (engine, bell/transom-mount, lower unit) an option? Would there be additional strengthening needed? I'm assuming nothing smaller than what's there, so it would involve some cutting, etc. How common is this?

If you wanted to re-power, the cheapest and easiest thing to do would be to find a 270/275/280 series power package (everything else would require replacement of the transom to cut a smaller hole), and transfer almost everything over. You will need to do some work to make it fit, especially to the location of the front motor mounts. Before even doing this, I would be checking the condition of the stringers and transom to insure they are sound, and haven't turned into pulp.

 

[paperklip]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

No luck finding another decent compatible OHC volvo 4 cyl marine engine. Those I did find were total junk for ridiculous money. I've decided to start fresh, re-powering the boat the way it should have been done in the first place, with an engine that has never (and will never) touch salt water. I found a complete 1992 Volvo B230 engine (from a 240) in great shape, for cheap. Planning to get going pretty quick, ordering a new exhaust manifold, heat exchanger, expansion tank, gaskets, etc. I'll also be sending the new head off to the auto machine shop for some quick checks.

She's on the stand, let the fun begin...

 

[kevincave]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

wow, looks like some work...

 

[wellcraft19]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

Yes, some work. But based solely on "looks", decent engine.
In case you want something "marinezed", I saw a B30 (AQ170) on the Seattle Craiglist for $600. Seems to have all the needed marine parts, even a manifold.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/2526594117.html

Or, full package with likely a AQ151 engine for $2,000. Around here, just the trailer is probably worth $1,000.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/boa/2524982263.html

Sorry for giving you yet more options, but these just passed in front of my eyes, and then your post...

 

[paperklip]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

Not worried about the work. It should be fun getting more familiar with everything about this setup.

Seattle is about as far from me as possible in the cont US.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

In case you want something "marinezed", I saw a B30 (AQ170) on the Seattle Craiglist for $600. Seems to have all the needed marine parts, even a manifold.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/2526594117.html

Speaking from experience, he doesn't want to go there ^^^^. The 170 makes impressive power and torque for a 3.0L, but engine parts are difficult to find, or very expensive. For example; a circulating pump goes for anywhere from 900-1100 bucks. The exhaust manifold is $2-3K if still available. This engine was only installed in 1 vehicle sold in the U.S. for only 6 years from the late 60's- mid 70's, and had at least 2 different variations in head design while installed in those vehicles (nothing matches the marine version exactly). He would also need to change his L/U to a 1.89 ratio. I think you probably understand what I'm getting at.....

 

[paperklip]

Re: 4 cyl Volvo AQ 125a Milky Engine Oil Sprayed all over

Question... I'd like to document the process/progress of this auto-conversion/engine-swap here on the forum to help others who might consider something like this. Do you mods (don S, etc) think that should be in a new "project" thread, or just appended here?