HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

The ECM is the "computer" that controls the fuel injectors and ignition timing. The ECM does all of this by reading several sensors on the engine and applying it's programmed response to the injectors and ignition. The ecm has self diagnostics that store "trouble codes" if one or more of the sensors are reading abnormally. A shop can hook up a scan tool or code reader to your engines ECM and retrieve any trouble codes.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

Sorry to double post, but that vibration issue that doesn't seam to be comming from the engine, could indicate a drivelive/prop issue. I'm not very familiar with volvo duo props (OK, not at all) but if all of your tests on the engine don't get you anywhere, don't forget, the engine has to turn the outdrive and the props.....if either of them have problems, they could be loosing or using horsepower.

 

[jdowns]

Re: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

Thanks Guys...I'll let you know what they eventually find.

 

[jdowns]

Re: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

My mechanic is now telling me the ONLY thing it could be is a resticted exhaust. He said he is 99.98% sure. He said that Colbalt Volvo discontinued using a "flapper" exhaust piece in 1999. He said he can see the pin, but he's not sure if my boat ever had one. Where can I obtain the information to see if my boat ever had a "flapper" exhaust piece? Thanks

 

[jdowns]

Re: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

I picked up my boat today after the second shop said they needed another 400.00 to check the exhaust for blockage. Neither shop could locate the problem after paying a ttl of 749.00 to the first certified Cobalt shop (who did a butt load of, as it appears unnecessary work) and 158.00 to the second certified Cobalt shop today. <br /><br />But, WITH THE HELP OF YOU GUYS and a call to a Merc dealer I FOUND AND FIXED THE PROBLEM!!! I raised the outdrive removed the plastic exhaust hose AND A FLAPPER WAS STUCK THERE AS BIG AS DAY!!!! I pulled it off, stuck the boat in the water and IT RUNS AS GOOD AS THE DAY IT WAS BORN!!!!!! I am definately no mechanic but fixed it in 10 minutes with a screw driver. I'm amazed that two certified experienced techs couldn't determine the problem after a total of three weeks and 950.00 bucks. THANKS GUYS!!!!!!!!!

 

[QC]

Re: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

I have read this post a few times and this amazes me. I thought the exhaust blockage thing was remote at best. When you look thru this, actually the only one who called it was your mechanic. Not sure why he didn't find it, but he said "99.98% sure it's exhaust". Wow!!! Cool it is running now. Have fun!!!!

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

Amazing ! I have seen this issue brought up on other posts, but have never witnessed it myself. Question for anyone that has had or dealt with this problem, can you hear it ? I know on a performance car you can tell if there is an exhaust obstruction by listening to it, but can you hear it on a boat ?? Just curious.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

I guarantee you I would have heard this on my Merc---not sure on the Volvo DP, but it had to sound muted, or sound like there was a muffler on it compared to normal.

 

[QC]

Re: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

One note though, jdowns did say this occured progressively, so the noise difference probably wasn't as night and day as we're thinking. I have thru hull exhaust and I can tell a difference with the bimini up or down, so I agree that I would have noticed, but again if that change happened over time, that would definitely be more difficult.<br /><br />Quick question for jdowns and others. I think you said that you pulled out the flapper? Doesn't that increase the opportunity to get water back into the manifolds and possibly the engine?

 

[jdowns]

Re: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY Cobalt-Volvo 35mph?

You could definately hear it. It sounded like a car with a plugged converter, or a very lean engine. I mentioned it to both shops and asked them if they thought it was a plugged exhauast. Both said NO. That is untill they fixed every thing else they thought it might be. I took it out again today and it's so nice having my boat back. I hope everyone has a great boating holiday!!!!!