to rebuild or not to rebuild(volvo)

[imported_roy]

I have a Volvo Penta 130 that I bought at the beginning of August. I asked alot of questions on here and got alot of good advice. Unfortunately, my problem was much worse than I or anyone thought. It seems that my number 4 piston is burned up. So now it comes down to do I rebuild or try to find another used one to replace it with? So far the cost of rebuilding is more than I paid for the rig. But I'm worried that putting another motor in will lead to more problems. Any advice or help? Thanks in advance!!!
I'm starting to believe that the old couple that sold the boat to me knew that it had problems. I know that sounds bad but they won't answer the phone or return my calls. It also seemed that they dressed the motor up so it would look to be in good shape. i.e. tune-up, etc. It looked like the boat had just come from the shop with a complete check-up and tune. New everything. Is it possible that a boat shop could do a complete tune up and not know that it had low compression and a bad piston? Anyway, I have probably taken too long to diagnose the problem,as I bought the boat around August 5, 2006, to have any legal recourse on getting my money back. So now I just need to find another engine to replace this one. If anyone knows where one may be, please help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: to rebuild or not to rebuild(volvo)

i vote complete rebuild. buying a used engine you could be buying the same problems down the road. you will know what you have, and not someone elses problem.

 

[imported_roy]

Re: to rebuild or not to rebuild(volvo)

Thank you tashasdaddy. That is what I would rather do but I have to wonder if it is cost effective to put another $1800-2000 in a boat that, according to blue book, isn't even worth that much.

 

[imported_roy]

Re: to rebuild or not to rebuild(volvo)

Oh yeah!! The lady that I bought the boat from finally called me back this afternoon. She said her husband died about 3 weeks ago and he knew everything about the boat and she knew nothing. But she did give me the name of the man who did the maintenance on the boat just before they sold it. So I have some more checking to do to find out if anyone knew about the problems beforehand or not. She did say, with the passing of her husband recently that she would not be able to help in any way to pay for part of the repairs or to return some of the money that was paid for the boat, seeing as how it was not in as such good shape as we were told. So I guess I will have to cut my losses there and figure out just how to fix this problem on my own.

 

[ziggy]

Re: to rebuild or not to rebuild(volvo)

i'd think check the boat out for sure. make sure it is worthy of a new engine. if ya got any rot, like in the stringers, or transom, or floor, it may not be worth the challenge......my last boat had bad stringer rot. would probably cost me a bunch to get it back on the water. i went for a different boat....and i liked my last boat a lot too....i didn't want to change.....

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: to rebuild or not to rebuild(volvo)

So what year/make boat is it? Can you do the remove and replace yourself? Really not that big of a deal. Always enjoy the boat a little bit more knowing you did it yourself. Every question youll have can be answered here. I know. I've asked hem all..

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: to rebuild or not to rebuild(volvo)

130? what engine is that? If it's a B20 volvo, I would look for a long block already rebuilt.

 

[imported_roy]

Re: to rebuild or not to rebuild(volvo)

The boat is a 1975 Galaxie 17'. And it is actually is really, really good condition. I have not been able to find any signs of rotten or wore out anything other that the engine. The seats are not torn or ripped and the color is still really good like it's not been in the sun alot. The engine is a Volvo Penta 130 with a 270 outdrive and, again, "appeared" to be in real good shape also. The outdrive I'm sure still is in to shape. The only thing I can find that this boat needs is the engine. I've got a couple of people checking auctions and things of that nature to at least find out how easy and cost effective it's going to be to replace it. Thanks for the advice and responses.