Volvo Low Compression 1 Cylinder

[gregmercer]

I have a 1993 Volvo 230. I bought the boat as a project boat and knew it needed some work. I started it up for the first time today and it sounded pretty good. It is fresh water cooled and I had it hooked up to ears with the garden hose to cool it. <br /><br />After about 10 minutes of ideling I noticed it was running a little hot. My guage only read 175 so I flicked the guage (it was stuck) and it shot up to 250 real quick. I immediately shut off the engine and let it cool down for about an hour. I then tried to start it again but it wouldn't start. I pulled the plugs and did a compression test, the back 3 cylinders all tested 150psi and the front one tested 50psi. <br /><br />From what I know I am guessing it is a blown head gasket. <br /><br />What do you guys think? What do I do next to know excatly what is wrong? Thanks!<br /><br />Greg

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Low Compression 1 Cylinder

Could be a warped valve. Time to do a leakdown test to isolate the problem instead of tearing it apart and not finding what you thought you would.

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Volvo Low Compression 1 Cylinder

Also - <br /><br />I know there is a raw water circulating problem because the exhaust manifold was too hot to touch. I just replaced the impeller. I think I need to tear apart the heat exchanger and check for clogs. <br /><br />Do those ears that you hook on to the sterndrive usually work OK, or should the sterndrive be put into a tank of water?<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Greg

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Low Compression 1 Cylinder

The muffs work alright, you just need to plug the secondary pickup hole in the bottom of the drive.<br />If water isn't getting to your new impeller, you have probably already burned it up. Might want to pull it and check make sure it hasn't burned and taken a set or lost it's vanes.

 

[gregmercer]

Re: Volvo Low Compression 1 Cylinder

Where can I find the Volvo manual for this engine? I bought the Seloc because I can't find a place to buy this manual anywhere. <br /><br />I am going to go buy a leakdown tester and check it out. Thanks<br /><br />Greg

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Low Compression 1 Cylinder

I don't know of any online source for OEM Volvo manuals, someone posted a link to a place not long ago but I don't remember what it wasl. <br />Your local VP dealer should be able to get one for you. The VP part number is 7732007 and only lists for about 20 bucks.<br />It's only for the engine, the drive manual is different.

 

[Mile-High Mariner]

Re: Volvo Low Compression 1 Cylinder

Greg:<br /><br />I agree with Don; it sounds like a valvetrain issue. I had a similar problem last year, to which Don contributed valuable advice - it turned out to be a sticky exhaust valve and a collapsed lifter in the intake valve on that cylinder, caused by the the circulating metal in the oil from a failing rod bearing (somebody overfilled the oil at the last change). Pull the valve cover and run the motor (after you've resolved your cooling system issue) and check to see that all valves are operating properly. In addition to Don's suggestion, you may benefit from checking for things like a bent pushrod, collapsed lifter or simply the adjustment of your rocker arms - something as simple as setting the valve timing correctly may solve your problem. Don't get too happy, though - Murphy's Law applies doubly to boats!