Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

[riverwalk]

Let me start with how I don't know much about boats/engines so I apologize for saying anything dumb. So I was an idiot and agreed to have a local kid winterize my boat for me in exchange for storing his boat in my barn for the winter. He said he worked at a boat dealership and knew how to winterize it properly but it turned out he did not. Anyways I didn't get a chance to use it this summer and when I brought it to be winterized again this fall they informed me it had frozen and cracked.

The boat is a 1993 Larson 22ft cuddy cabin boat. It is meticulously cleaned and in great shape with I think only 200 hours or so on the whole boat. The engine is (was) the V6 Volvo Penta 430. The local marina told me that it would be 3500$ just to replace the exhaust manifolds and stuff that they could see was cracked, and during that repair they would lift the engine out and see if the block was cracked. They didn't tell me how much higher the repair bill would be if that was the case. They said the 'frost plugs' had popped out also. What I am wondering is if I need to replace all that and the bill I'm guessing would be what 5, 6, 7 thousand if the block is cracked too?

So my question is for a boat that's probably not worth as much as this repair, is there a crate motor equivalent (I'm thinking muscle car wise) for boats that would just be cheaper engine switchout? Also are exhaust manifolds part of the engine if a 'new engine' was put in the boat, or would I need to get that all replaced regardless? My last question is if this sounds like a normal price for just the exhaust and related repairs. Thanks for your help...

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

Howdy,

I am no Volvo Expert but I can google with the best of them!!

The 430 appears to be a GM V-6. Like this one...at Rapido Marine.

It's about $1400 for the long block (I think it's no core price)

Here's an example of a complete exhaust kit using OSCO manifolds/risers etc for about $650

not counting labor......the replacement cost doesn't look all that bad...

Looks like for about $2200 or so the engine and exhaust/riser kit can be shipped right to your door.

Find a good marine mechanic and you might be surprised. Take it to a "regular" dealer......well, the sticker shock may be extensive...



Regards,


Rick

 

[superpop]

Re: Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

If it was my boat I would take this opportunity to upgrade to a V8, The manifolds and risers need to be changed anyway and you could upgrade to a 305 for a few bucks more. The V6 is probably too small for that boat to begin with. Course if you are happy with the performance than I would simply buy a new long block and manifold riser set. Other than moving the mounts and checking for the extra 6-7 inches in motor length I think it would be money well spent. The other question is what kind of drive you have. If it is an OMC that kind of changes the answer. If it is OMC then I would probably scrap the whole thing and sell it for parts but again that all depends on how much you like the boat and if you want to keep it long term.

 

[riverwalk]

Re: Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

sorry but whats an OMC drive?

also what might I expect in terms of labor to install that long block and exhaust.

I would like to keep the boat because other than engine problems everything else with the entire boat is in perfect shape

thanks for the help !

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

The local marina told me that it would be 3500$ just to replace the exhaust manifolds and stuff that they could see was cracked, and during that repair they would lift the engine out and see if the block was cracked.

That's a red flag. Engines aren't "lifted out" to see if the block is cracked.

To check the extent of the damage, a competent mechanic will do a simple pressure test. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes and they will then be able to tell you if the block is cracked.

Instead of going down every "what if" avenue and corresponding estimate, get that test done, and find out if the block needs replacing.

If it's just manifolds that cracked, they can be replaced in the boat and the whole job will probably run between $1000 and $2000 with labour and taxes depending on the quality of parts, how many other parts are discovered to need replacing and how much shopping around gets done.

A 16 year old boat might have needed manifolds anyways.

 

[riverwalk]

Re: Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

I am located in Vermont, and this boat is only used in fresh water (Lake Champlain). I would not mind doing some work myself as long as I was sure that it was work anyone could do. I have never worked on a boat engine and if I was likely to really mess something up I'd rather not do it. I have a lot of tools and I know how to perform maintenance work on things like lawn mowers etc, but have never done anything to a full size engine. My estimate for the manifold repair i think included 2400$ for labor? it was 3504$ total and there was an itemization of parts with prices but the one thing that cost exactly 2400 said 'replace manifolds' so I am assuming that was the labor charge. I think them telling me I needed to lift out the engine to check the block was them taking advantage of the fact I know nothing about engines. I can't wait to ask them why they cant run the test like you guys said. The boat has a counter rotating dual prop thing if that changes anything.

 

[riverwalk]

Re: Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

I found this picture online, it's what the prop and outdrive on my boat look like (same model)

this is the engine i have too:

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

The 4.3 is very sensitive to freezing and cracking the cylinder block and the heads.

The soft plugs were pushed out by the ice, a pressure test is NOT possible without spending time (and money) to replace them, only to prove that the block and heads are damaged.

The Volvo Duo-prop drive is a solid unit and well worth having on your boat.

As one of the first posters pointed out, you can order a New or remanufactured MARINE long block WITH a Warranty, delivered to your door.

Same for aftermarket exhaust manifolds.

Find a real mechanic with marine experience and swap it out.

 

[Robj]

Re: Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

I would shop around for another mechanic. It seems like the one you are currently using wants to get rich quick! Prices seem high IMO. At least get more than one opinion and then see which one makes more sense.

Good luck

 

[Maclin]

Re: Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

riverwalk,

Just fyi in case it comes up later, your outdrive is definitely the older All-Volvo Swedish drive, a DP-A I believe. Very similar to a 290DP. It is not the Volvo-OMC hybrid XS type of drive prevalent thru the mid-90's.

Parts are readily available, it is a very solid drive and favored by many, just not so many on this side of the pond. That engine is also a good setup, too bad it may not have been winterized properly. Do not stray from stock when fixing up or replacing, just rebuil/replace what is there and you will have a very reliable setup.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Help with ruined engine VOLVO 430 Penta V6

I'd get ahold of the Kid and tell him he atleast owes you a season of storage let alone he ruined your boat! I agree with ^^^ Have the block pressure tested and go from there!