Overheated Volvo Penta, now it won't idle.

[cich69]

The engine is a 1998 Volvo Penta 3.0 4cyl. The impeller failed and it overheated, it got hot enough to melt the paint on the exhaust pipes. Since then I have fixed the overheating problems and it runs great above 1500rpm, but it just won't idle smooth.

I'm wondering if I blew a head gasket? would that be pretty obvious with a compression check?

What else should I look for? It ran great all around before overheating!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Overheated Volvo Penta, now it won't idle.

would that be pretty obvious with a compression check?

yes it would.

 

[cich69]

Re: Overheated Volvo Penta, now it won't idle.

Ok, when I first checked the compression there was water in cyl #1 & #4 and the compression readings were all over the charts, but I cranked the engine with the plugs out for a little while and rechecked the compression and all 4 cylinders were pretty close to 180 on my new guage (not sure how accurate it is, but it is the screw in type)

I'm pretty sure I'll just have to pull the head and have a look unless anyone has any other ideas?

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Overheated Volvo Penta, now it won't idle.

If you have water in the cylinders, something has failed. Enough water in the cylinders = hydrolock = bent/broken rods, etc.