Twin Volvo Penta I/O AQ145A Engine Options

[carlosicr]

Hello there, I have a situation where I need help. I am new in the boating community and want some advise. My boat came with twin Volvo Penta engines, AQ145A. Now, one of these engines is broken and I want to find a suitable substitute for my broken engine. My question comes to this, can I replace that engine with an AQ125A? Will this combination make my boat to navigate different or weird? One engine will be the factory one, AQ145A and the other one AQ125A replacement. My two Stern drives are Volvo Penta 280's. I need help with this possible engine swap. Can it be made?

 

[Scott Danforth]

the B230 engine in the AQ145 is a modified automotive variation of the motors in the Volvo 2 series. the AQ125 may work (would have to verify the PDS), however you will be down on power.

what is broken on the motor? it may be easier to fix than to replace.

 

[carlosicr]

the B230 engine in the AQ145 is a modified automotive variation of the motors in the Volvo 2 series. the AQ125 may work (would have to verify the PDS), however you will be down on power.

what is broken on the motor? it may be easier to fix than to replace.

Water intrusion, engine will not turn. There is chocolate milk in the dipstick too.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would pull the motor to determine what failed. The second motor may be right behind the first

 

[carlosicr]

I would pull the motor to determine what failed. The second motor may be right behind the first

The second engine AQ145A or port side engine is good an runs fine. is just the Starboard side engine that swallowed water, chocolate milk in dipstick is there, and it wont turn either. I mean, in reality, I don't want to turn it until I remove it from the boat drain all fluids and inspect it with a camera the inside the piston area and walls. If it looks ok then I will try to revive it. But in the mean time I am looking at the worst case scenario, if it comes to replace it, will the AQ125A be a good suitable substitute for the one damaged, since I am having a hard time finding one AQ145A in my area.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Your past the camera inspection stage. That was within 20 hours of water entering the engine

Your at tear down phase.

The heat exchanger should have kept water from the motor unless the hull is water logged and it ingested water because the SWL to riser dimension is less than 13"

 

[carlosicr]

Your past the camera inspection stage. That was within 20 hours of water entering the engine

Your at tear down phase.

The heat exchanger should have kept water from the motor unless the hull is water logged and it ingested water because the SWL to riser dimension is less than 13"

I think that you are correct in the inspection phase, however I am kind of interested in finding out (an excuse to play with my camera toy) if it is just on the oil pan and can be just that. But I am with you 100 percent in is beyond that part. No how did you determined that the hull is water logged because the SWL to riser is less than 13"? I mean please even though I am an old fart, I am like a 5 year old when it comes to this type of boating things, lol So please explain it to me like I am in kindergarten. Thanks for all your interactions, I really appreciate this.

 

[Scott Danforth]

You measure from the gunwales to the Static Water Line, you measure from the gunwales to the top of the riser. The difference should be greater than 13 when your boat was new ( now 14" )

 

[carlosicr]

You measure from the gunwales to the Static Water Line, you measure from the gunwales to the top of the riser. The difference should be greater than 13 when your boat was new ( now 14" )

View attachment 402899

Got it. Now I totally understand your point. I really appreciate all your help with this. Now with all this said and taken to my learning experience and going back to my prior question, do you think if the engine is not repairable, will it be feasible to use that different engine in my boat, or it will be better to wait and not buy an AQ125A engine and give a bit of time before next summer season to find the proper engine? I ask this because I have found at least 3 AQ125A engines for sale around here. And their asking prices are not ridiculous at all. What is your take on this? Thanks a lot!

 

[ESGWheel]

While I have nowhere near the experience of Scott, here are some things to consider:
First off this is a new to you boat and while you did not say, it seems you bought this boat knowing it had one bad motor. That says to me you are both cost conscious and in this for the long haul. That translates in my mind that it’s better to do it right than quick, perhaps yours too. I get that you may be anxious to ‘get boating’ but in the long run I suspect you will kick yourself for not doing it right. Imagine your future-self 3 years from now: will you be happy with always having the throttles at a slightly different setting or will it be an irritation and regret?

Second, you do not mention who is doing the work for an engine swap. If you are trying to tackle the swap yourself vs a rebuild due to concern of skill set, I suggest that the engine rebuild is not that much more difficult. Pulling apart a motor and taking in major sections to a machine shop for them to do the ‘difficult work’ is no harder than swapping an engine IMO. Example > you take in the head as a complete unit and they pull all the valves, machine what is needed, and reassemble it. Here is a vid (link) I found on a pretty crusty 145 that someone rebuilt. Looks bad to start with but turns out nice.

Third, buying a used engine is a crap shoot. If it’s a rebuilt unit from a reputable dealer, ok but I sense you are looking at used engines. You could end up putting it in only to having to pull it out next season.

Forth, think of the stories you will be able to tell on those outings about how you rebuilt that engine yourself! And if you have young ones at home, well that can turn into a bonding experience.

I think you will be missing out if you do not at least explore doing a rebuild or using the right engine and forget about getting underway next season….

 

[carlosicr]

While I have nowhere near the experience of Scott, here are some things to consider:
First off this is a new to you boat and while you did not say, it seems you bought this boat knowing it had one bad motor. That says to me you are both cost conscious and in this for the long haul. That translates in my mind that it’s better to do it right than quick, perhaps yours too. I get that you may be anxious to ‘get boating’ but in the long run I suspect you will kick yourself for not doing it right. Imagine your future-self 3 years from now: will you be happy with always having the throttles at a slightly different setting or will it be an irritation and regret?

Second, you do not mention who is doing the work for an engine swap. If you are trying to tackle the swap yourself vs a rebuild due to concern of skill set, I suggest that the engine rebuild is not that much more difficult. Pulling apart a motor and taking in major sections to a machine shop for them to do the ‘difficult work’ is no harder than swapping an engine IMO. Example > you take in the head as a complete unit and they pull all the valves, machine what is needed, and reassemble it. Here is a vid (link) I found on a pretty crusty 145 that someone rebuilt. Looks bad to start with but turns out nice.

Third, buying a used engine is a crap shoot. If it’s a rebuilt unit from a reputable dealer, ok but I sense you are looking at used engines. You could end up putting it in only to having to pull it out next season.

Forth, think of the stories you will be able to tell on those outings about how you rebuilt that engine yourself! And if you have young ones at home, well that can turn into a bonding experience.

I think you will be missing out if you do not at least explore doing a rebuild or using the right engine and forget about getting underway next season….

I totally agree with you about everything. Yes I know the consequences of making poor decisions especially on things that float. It can turn to nightmares if not tackled properly the first time. The reason I was asking is, if the original engine is going to be irreparable I atxleast have a running one that can be overhauled and be done better than when I receive it. As you mentioned earlier it can be a big unknown on the condition of it. But I think my chances in overhauling one that has no water intrusion are better than one that has. That is just my humble opinion to that. Now for the other thing, I have the gear to remove it and work on it in my shop with my kid that he is a mechanic also. He already has overhauled a couple of engines and transmission too. And I concur with going right the first time and your advice is helping me like you can not imagine, that is why I opened this discussion to make me understand the unknown in the difference of running one engine vs two similar engines, my doubt has been cleared as to having throttles set different and messing with stuff like that will get old really quick. So yes I now get what will happen having two different engines in the same boat. Again I am very grateful to receive all your inputs to my doubts and concerns. Have a great night and will continue here for any more interactions and inputs you guys might have. Cheers!!!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Everything is repairable. Just takes money and time.

 

[ESGWheel]

Glad to hear you have experienced help and the space to do this. If I may: take lots of pictures of how all of it is put together and installed in the boat. It’s easy to take things apart as its logical and makes sense while you are doing it. But a couple of months later you are wondering where that wire connects to, etc.

Also, you can help others by posting a blog of sorts of the rebuild efforts on this forum including tips and tricks that made it go easier and even include the costs of various operations and parts. This will provide a guide for someone looking to take on a rebuild for the first time on a 145 or 125 and your posts may make the difference between them doing it or hiring someone.

You have a fun project ahead of you, I am envious!

 

[carlosicr]

Glad to hear you have experienced help and the space to do this. If I may: take lots of pictures of how all of it is put together and installed in the boat. It’s easy to take things apart as its logical and makes sense while you are doing it. But a couple of months later you are wondering where that wire connects to, etc.

Also, you can help others by posting a blog of sorts of the rebuild efforts on this forum including tips and tricks that made it go easier and even include the costs of various operations and parts. This will provide a guide for someone looking to take on a rebuild for the first time on a 145 or 125 and your posts may make the difference between them doing it or hiring someone.

You have a fun project ahead of you, I am envious!

Thank you for the advice. I will definitely take lots of pictures of it as it sits and during removal. It will be posted here as I move through the process, this way if i screw something up there might be people here that can point out issues through my pics. I have a sense that this is going to be a very long and good educational experience. Thanks to all of you guys for a lending hand. Cheers!