Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

[spike87]

Help! My engine hdro locked and caused a small crack on the starter mount on the engine block. Extended protection plan won't pay for anything. Volvo Penta says that they aren't responsible. When I was driving I didn't do anything different then I have done 100 times before. I came off plan and continuied to idle forward for about 30 seconds, stop my forward momentum, turned off engine, and let my tubers board boat. When to start boat and starter made a terrible sound. Took to mechanic and they pulled plugs and water pour out of both sides. Is this a common problem? Does Stingray boats have a problem with engine located to low in stern? Does Volvo have a problem? How can I get Volvo or Stingray to help on the service. Can I weld small crack in starter mount or do I need a new long block? Help me please!

 

[jchris1062]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

where is the crack located around the starter?

 

[jchris1062]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

Help! My engine hdro locked and caused a small crack on the starter mount on the engine block. Extended protection plan won't pay for anything. Volvo Penta says that they aren't responsible. When I was driving I didn't do anything different then I have done 100 times before. I came off plan and continuied to idle forward for about 30 seconds, stop my forward momentum, turned off engine, and let my tubers board boat. When to start boat and starter made a terrible sound. Took to mechanic and they pulled plugs and water pour out of both sides. Is this a common problem? Does Stingray boats have a problem with engine located to low in stern? Does Volvo have a problem? How can I get Volvo or Stingray to help on the service. Can I weld small crack in starter mount or do I need a new long block? Help me please!

 

[spike87]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

The crack is on the outside bolt hole. Starts at bottom and runs up about 3/16"s on bottom of bolt hole cylinder. Bolt hole is the closest bolt hole, not the one against engine block more under starter.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

Volvo has nothing to do with how an engine is installed in a boat. If the engine is too low in the boat, there should be extended risers to get them a minimum of 13" above the water line. That's a boat manufacturers job to get it right.
Now, if you had everybody on the back of the boat and no one up front, you could have pushed the back end too low which would put the water line over the risers, and water goes into the engine.
Have your dealer check the riser height with the boat loaded normally in the water and see what the dimension is. He should know how to measure, it's in the Volvo service manuals.

 

[spike87]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

Don,
Thanks for the info. There wasn't much weight on boat one adult female 130lbs. (nice bodiy I might add), 4 children ranging from 55 - 70 lbs. No water in bilge.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

Time to talk and talk about future purchases as well as purchase referals/deferals.With all parties involved.

Is your extended warrenty non Volvo?Either way,find out what you bought,and get on their case.YOU PAID for protection.

Also it's Volvo.and you are posting they won't do anything? Call them back and tell them the boat is only 4 years old,AND IT"S BROKE!!

It is not acceptable for this problem on a 4 year old boat.

DHP

 

[spike87]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

DHP, Thanks for the reply. The only # I have for Volvo is their Consumer Affairs Department. These people are trained to deflect any liability. Do you have any other #s that I can call. Maybe the President of Volvo.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[spike87]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

DHP,
The extended protection plan is not through Volvo Penta, I believe it is through 1st protection. Also the boat is only 3 years old with under 200hrs.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

Have you taken your boat to a certified Volvo Penta dealer? They can and should contact Volvo and do a warranty claim and determine the cause of the water intrusion. Just saying there is water in the cylinders and then the dealer stating it's not Volvo's problem is not the way it's done. and just fixing the damaged engine isn't going to be a long term fix unless the something is done to prevent it from happening.
Is your extended warranty the Volvo Penta 2 Plus 4 Extended Protection Program?

 

[KaGee]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

Is your extended warranty the Volvo Penta 2 Plus 4 Extended Protection Program?

Spike said above...

The extended protection plan is not through Volvo Penta, I believe it is through 1st protection. Also the boat is only 3 years old with under 200hrs.

 

[searay3]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

'Aftermarket' warranties, simple insurance policies in disquise, usually suck. It is only as good as what is written in the policy. Written being the key word. They also usually require you to go to the issuing dealer. If you bought it from a dealer, you have to start there. Most of those outfits won't talk to you until the dealer verifies the failure. Then they try to do as little as possible, again going by what was written. Hopefully your local dealer is customer oriented and will work hard to get you covered....that's pretty much how it goes around here anyway.....good luck..

 

[DJ]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

I see no way that this is a Volvo issue.

Warranties state (specifically) they warrant against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship.

Water in the engine is NOT a defect. If Volvo produced the engine with water in it, it would have hydrolocked three years ago. UNLESS and this is a big if, something failed such as a gasket and allowed water in.

If anyone is to blame, it's the boat maker. But I can assure you, you'll get nowhere with them.

Also, the owner stated that he had five people in the boat. He failed to answer the question-where were they?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

Problem as I see (and I don't know what steps were taken or in what order) 4 year old boat (2007's are out)

Obviously good money was spent on a Stingray,at a Dealership. Volvo Penta was picked (maybe because of anything,including boat color,but it was purchased).

The Dealer ,Stingray and Volvo made money.The customer spent money.Now he has a problem and all three can't at least help a bit ? They just want more of his money. Where is our Industry going if we just take the money and run ?

In the past I have had manufacturers explain to me why it was the customers fault (if it was) and at least offer a parts discount (GOOD WILL).I had parts supplied at no cost,if I agreed to only charge x for labor.Something broke in the communication here and the customer is being left out.

DHP

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

Spike87,

We are not currently a VolvoPenta dealer,so I don't have any #'s for you to call.

My feeling is your dealer should be handling this for you. If he cannot satisfy you (not so far at least ),he should be able to have you meet a Volvo service rep at his dealership,and with the boat.I doubt Stingray improperly designed your boat,But that should be able to happen also.

Also whoever responded about 5 people in the boat needs to read these posts better,or maybe I am wrong.Wasn't it a 130 lb driver (cute female) and 4 kids under 70 lb? That is only 410 lbs in a 19 foot boat.They should be able to be anywhere on it,


DHP

 

[jeffmc]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

must be a common problem was running my wellcraft excalibur with muffs on in the yard also had the 4.3 volvo motor. it ran fine trailered it to the landing got it in the water went to start it and what a noise it was locked brought it back home pulled the plugs drained water put a new seperator on it ran fine after that

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

I think there is a design flaw either on the way people fit the engines or on the engine itself, my regal 1900 lsr with a 4.3GL 2000. Hydro locked when the kill switch operated. So I have a safety device that should be used at all times that if it operates could wreck the engine or worst leave me with no power during an emergency. It seems rather than rely on the height of the risers flappers would be a better option.

Regards
Chris

 

[calwldlif]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

I have read a lot over the years on this motor.
There was a volvo design flaw in the heighth
of risers and the boat companies putting them to low.
I won't say it is the nature of the beast,
but there have been numerous water intrutions.
Good luck

 

[DJ]

Re: Hydro Lock - Volvo Penta 4.3L 190 hp on 2003 Stingray 190LX

DHP writes

My feeling is your dealer should be handling this for you. If he cannot satisfy you (not so far at least ),he should be able to have you meet a Volvo service rep at his dealership,and with the boat.I doubt Stingray improperly designed your boat,But that should be able to happen also.

Jeffmc writes:

must be a common problem was running my wellcraft excalibur with muffs on in the yard also had the 4.3 volvo motor. it ran fine trailered it to the landing got it in the water went to start it and what a noise it was locked brought it back home pulled the plugs drained water put a new seperator on it ran fine after that

Both those are bold statements from those that have no affliliation with Volvo.

DHP.

Agreed, the dealer SHOULD handle this. Trouble is, marine dealers will not and do not do so. That's an industry PROBLEM! Only dealers can fix it. I only deal with dealers that will back me up. Trust me, they are few, and far between.

Jeffmc,

Yes, you backed the boat in at it's worst angle for engine flooding. And, did you overpressure a cooling system using a garden hose? You can. I've seen city water pressures as high as 140 psi.

As stated, I'm not ready to blame Volvo for anything. Unless, as stated, there was an obvious gasket/seal failure.

Nobody reads operating manuals anymore. We choose to waste our time on lawyers and finger pointing.

Sometimes, the fingers point to the operator. But, nobody believes it. Thus, a litigious society.

I hope this customer gets this worked out. I'll bet Volvo, will help, if the case is presented correctly. But, make no mind, that this is, by any means, a warranty issue.

This issue, at this point, is all "goodwill" on Volvos part, should they decide to participate.

I make these decisions everyday. Lack of knowledge is one case, blatant disregard is another.

I'll side on the case of the prior, everytime.

For you Spike. Approach Volvo carefully with facts, in hand. Approach respectively.

If you go in with "guns blazing" you'll get-ZERO! Respect and coutesy begets respect and coutesy, in kind. Remember, the people you talk to are people too.

Good fortune to you.

Let us know.