HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

Black Snow Slide

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 15, 2007
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Last week I bought a brand new 2006 Glastron SX 195 with a 3.0L Volvo penta stern drive. Took delivery of it on Saturday and she took her madden voyage on Sunday. Launching went fine, started easily and had to keep it at about 2k RPM till 150 degrees untill it would idel at 700, and go into gear.

When giveing it throttle it would bog down and hesitate then take off. As soon as on plane backed down 2400-2600 rpms. Motor was running ruff but i wrote it off as bad gass in line being a left over from last year. After about 10 minutes, motor not a happy camper, sounded like running on three cylinders. Stopped, turned off motor and gave it a quick eye to see if something obvious. Nothing. It would not restart for aporx 1 Hr. when it did limped it back to boat ramp.

Next day dealer did comprestion test and #4 cylinder had 0 psi. He said that is caused by hydro lock and I must have done something. After tearing it down he said it is the head gasket that failed alowing water into the cylinder. Volvo said will replace motor but now I am without for 3-5 weeks till repair is complete.

My areas of concern;

Is there a problem with water comeing back threw exhaust port and causeing this type of problem? The service manager was very quick to say that is what happened. How could that happen?

How is the reliablity of the Volvo, perticulary the 3.0? I have no faith in them and certainly question there quality.

What should iI expect from my dealer? I want a full refund on my boat and be able to apply it to another brand of boat with a diffrent maker of engine.

I am emotional about it as I have worked an extra day every week for 2 years so I can buy a new boat. Now I am getting a new peice mealed boat with a bad history. Any feed back is great. Sorry so long winded.
 

Don S

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

Don't go getting all bent out of shape because of a new blown engine. It happens. That engine has been used in boats by OMC, Mercruiser, and Volvo since the 70's. It's a GM engine and Volvo, OMC, and Merc only added the marine stuff to it.
If the engine was running, then it wasn't a hydrolock. I have seen valves break off, pistons break, rings break, rods break you name it, all with in the first few hours of an engines new life.
Volvo normally sends out the engines immediatly and even here in Alaska, we got the engine within a week. Then it would take a few hours to change.
Sounds to me like you have more of a dealer problem than Volvo or Glastron problem.
 

Haut Medoc

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.


Welcome to iboats, btw......:)
I don't see a refund coming.....
You will have to ride this one out with the dealer......:rolleyes:
Good Luck!......:)
 

stevieray

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

Just out of curiosity, did the dealer offer to put it in the water for you & go with you on a demo ride before you took delivery? That's standard practice around here & I was just wondering. (Of course, 98% of our dealers are at marinas & doing this is very easy for them).
 

Black Snow Slide

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

Don S... Your thinking the dealer time frame for fixing problem is out of line?

What is the reliablity of this motor?

How can a motor get hydro locked besides feeding water threw the carb?

I know I need to chill.. but it isnt easy and boating season is soo short in New England that stuff like this kills your season.

Thanks again to all replys.
 

Black Snow Slide

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

No demo ride offered. They said they dont have the man power to do so. They are about 25 minutes from the lake.
 

Haut Medoc

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

Don S... Your thinking the dealer time frame for fixing problem is out of line?

What is the reliablity of this motor?

How can a motor get hydro locked besides feeding water threw the carb?

I know I need to chill.. but it isnt easy and boating season is soo short in New England that stuff like this kills your season.

Thanks again to all replys.
Through the exhaust.....
My guess is the dealer is probably busy with paying jobs, thus the delay....:rolleyes:
 

Black Snow Slide

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

What can be done to prevent water from backing up the exhaust port? Is this a common problem?
 

Windykid

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

Something tells me the motor might have been trated in this way?:rolleyes:

Did the marina have the man power to do a test run when he took it on trade?:rolleyes::rolleyes:
 

Haut Medoc

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.


Slow down to idle before shutting off engine.....
No, it is not a common problem & I don't think that is the cause of your problem....
Your dealer sounds a little shaky, IMHO.....;)
 

mhunt

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May 22, 2007
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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

so the boat was a leftover from the 2006 model year? if so a brand new engine should have functioning head gaskets. don't take 'no' for an answer. you're in charge.
 

paulrfrancisco

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

Probably an issue due to it having sat for a year as a left over...
 

Coors

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

so the boat was a leftover from the 2006 model year? if so a brand new engine should have functioning head gaskets. don't take 'no' for an answer. you're in charge.

I can't help myself.
Please expand upon the definition of "functioning head gaskets" .
 

mhunt

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

I can't help myself.
Please expand upon the definition of "functioning head gaskets" .

certainly. The function of a head gasket is to seal the combustion chamber of compression as well as provide a seal for oil and water passages as they travel from the block to the cylinder head. Does that satisfy your request?
 

whywhyzed

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Feb 1, 2005
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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

Don, do dealers not make good money off warranty work? i.e. charge Volvo shop rate or at least something close to it?
I'm guessing it depends on their rating as a dealer how much Volvo pays for their labour. That's how it works in my business...

The 3.0 is a reliable engine. Probably to almost record proportions... not many models of engine have been in mainstream production for over 40 years relatively unchanged.

5 weeks seems a bit silly - maiden voyage? The dealer should be moving you to the front of the line, not the back.
 

bruceb58

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

I would contact Volvo directly and see if they could recommend another dealer to take it to.
 

Coors

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

certainly. The function of a head gasket is to seal the combustion chamber of compression as well as provide a seal for oil and water passages as they travel from the block to the cylinder head. Does that satisfy your request?

Yes sir; so why was the head gasket suspect?
 

Coors

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

I can't see were he tore it down; dam new software.
 

Reel Poor

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Re: HELP, Brand New Volvo 3.0 blew up.

The engine in that boat is very reliable and the drive system is at least a step above the rest. As your luck would have it, $#!+ happens. I would be after the dealer to expedite the repair on a new boat purchase, especially on a maiden voyage failure. If he isn't willing to give better service than what he is offering I would suggest finding another shop willing to do any future repairs and maintenance.
 
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