Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

[ss9940_2]

Hi again fellow iboaters!

I recently bought a used 97 Chaparral signature 31 with twin VP 5.7 GLi engines. Now, the papers say that the engines have 280 HP each. Is that true? Are there any general known problems with those engines? The boat has the DP drives with stainless props. I have no experience with those drives. Are they reliable? Also, if possible (prolly DON will know that) - what is the history on those engines?

S/N 1: 4110152581
S/N 2: 4110146627

Thanx

Alex

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

Please check your terminology. You're mixing letters. Volvo Penta uses and "L" to denote a carbed engine. They use an "i" to show fuel injection. So if you really have a 5.7Gi...
Yes, in 1997 and still today, the VP 5.7Gi has 280 horsepower. Only thing, you engines most likely have TBI not multiport fuel injection. That's not a bad thing, really, my 1997 Mercruiser 5.7LX EFI Gen + has 280hp and uses TBI. It's not been any problem in 760 hours.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

Alex, The engines are a 5.7 TBI engine, same engine as Mercruiser uses, so that much is the same. The sterndrive is the difference, it's the SX/DP-S style drive, (Looks like a Cobra on the outside, all the inside stuff is Volvo) I would rather have a Volvo than any Mercruiser any day of the week, and model. The drives and all the accessories are just all much better (IMHO)
Now, as far as your model numbers.
You do have a fuel injected engine and it is a 5.7GLi,
Normally when we see a L or S after the 5.7G it's a Carbed engine but in reallity, the i or lack of it is what indicates rather the engine is injected or carbed. The L = limited output (hp), at the end of your model number you will find a CE which indicates certified emmissions. This is done in the ECU of the engine and is the normal reason for the lower HP rating.

 

[newport dave]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

If the boat is used in salt water, I would check the vapor seperator tanks, fuel cooling systems, and high pressure fuel pumps.

I just worked on two of these engines and found that the fuel cooling passages in the vapor seperator tank (and hoses) were completely clogged with salt. In fact the salt had eaten through the bottom of the aluminum seperator tanks and a small amount of salt water was entering the tanks. Needless to say the tanks had to be replaced, and the systems had to be cleaned out and the throttle bodies needed to be rebuilt. Also, the high pressure fuel pump inlet screens were full of crap. One of the pumps had to be replaced. Nothing a few (ok, three) thousand dollars wouldn't fix.

Dave

 

[flabum]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

You will also want to have the risers and manifolds inspected if they haven't been replaced or checked in the last two years.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

I just worked on two of these engines and found that the fuel cooling passages in the vapor seperator tank (and hoses) were completely clogged with salt. In fact the salt had eaten through the bottom of the aluminum seperator tanks and a small amount of salt water was entering the tanks. Needless to say the tanks had to be replaced, and the systems had to be cleaned out and the throttle bodies needed to be rebuilt. Also, the high pressure fuel pump inlet screens were full of crap. One of the pumps had to be replaced. Nothing a few (ok, three) thousand dollars wouldn't fix.

Dave

I just did one about 6 or 8 months ago. While it did need a new VST housing, it's a $250 part plus a new gasket, and a couple of hours of labor in a very poor location and it was done. It didn't have any water in the fuel part of tank, didn't damage a pump or anything.
It sounds like you must have had an extreme case there, not a normal case.

Also, along the lines of the exhaust manifolds even if not flushed, they last 5 to 8 years, and all this checking and big repair bills are things found if in salt water.
If those engines are in fresh water, then non of the above is a problem.

 

[newport dave]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

Don,
I guess you could call it an extreme case. The boat has been stored in the (salt) water since it was new, and as far as I know, was never flushed.

You are a better tech than I am if you can diagnose, remove, clean, paint, rebuild, and reinstall the VST and verify the repair in a couple of hours.

Dave

 

[ss9940_2]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

Hi all!

Just read all the replies, some more questions:

What is a VST? Where do I find it (on the engine)? And would it be wise to change it in advance? The boat is coming from US to Europe and i would like to get as many parts as possible here cause it's ALOT cheaper... I already got everything else, including:

- new manifolds, risers
- new bellows + gimbal bearings
- new sparkplugs, filters, rotors, caps

Should i buy anything else? Don, you said the L in GLi stands for LIMITED OUTPUT, does that mean the engine has less than 280HP? Here is a pic of DP drives:

http://www.pisk.si/chaparrall/IMG_2147.JPG

Anything specific about those? One engine has a bad valve, so i bought that also (an intake + exhaust valve) and will be doing a valve job in Europe. Pictures of the engine:

http://www.pisk.si/chaparrall/IMG_2169.JPG
http://www.pisk.si/chaparrall/IMG_2170.JPG
http://www.pisk.si/chaparrall/IMG_2171.JPG

Should i be careful about anything else? The boat was / still is located in ONSET, MA, US -> that prolly means saltwater use.

Thanx

Alex

 

[tommays]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

How are you going to protect the OPEN motor if you ship it in its current condition ?


As there is a lot of surface rust on the cylinder walls allready



Tommays

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

Right now, I'm not sure what kind of information you are looking for.
If the engines look like those pictures, why buy it????????????

280hp is what the GLi engine is rated.

Why is it apart, what happened, why do you want to buy that mess anyway?

The VST (Vapor Seperator Tank) is the small tank that the high pressure fuel pump is mounted on, and is on the back of the engine.

 

[flabum]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

I don't know how readily available parts are for those engines in Europe where you arte. But I would consider having the boat repaired and sea trialed before you ship it. This way, if for some reason, the repairs go beyond your budget, you can sell it and not worry about re-couping the shipping charges.

 

[ss9940_2]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

Hi all!

Only 1 engine is like that, the other one is running. The story about this boat is that it was a bank reposession; the marina did the inspection and found out that a cylinder had 0 compression. They did a leakdown test & took the head off and found out that it's a valve. They informed the bank about it and the bank decided to sell as is. The price on the boat was good already, but now with this engine not working, they dropped it for 6k, so the final price was really great. We used alot of oil for that surface rust in cylinders so it should be ok.

Alex

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

Here in Peoria, I got a reconditioned head for $179 when I had zero compression on one cylinder. Valve issue are common on the GM "Vortec" engines. If you "lug" the engine (meaning have it propped so that it won't turn the recommended minimum WOT RPM) you'll cause valve damage. Too bad you aren't in MA with the boat, cause the repair would be "simple" and not all that expensive. Best of luck with the boat.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

My guess the 0 compression was due to a tulepid valve, and as Tilliam mentioned, probably from being over propped and lugging the engine.
The bad thing when this happens is it usually destroys the seat in the head at the same time the valve goes bad, and replacing seats in a head just doesn't seem to work on a marine engine, they always seem to come loose. So the best thing to do is install a new head.
I would also suggest you get a full set of OEM service manuals for your LK model engine.

 

[John_S]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

"probably from being over propped and lugging the engine."

And if those are the props that are still on the drives, that looks to be a costly change. Four ss props??? The cost of the new vortec head will pale in comparison.

 

[ss9940_2]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

Here in Peoria, I got a reconditioned head for $179 when I had zero compression on one cylinder. Valve issue are common on the GM "Vortec" engines. If you "lug" the engine (meaning have it propped so that it won't turn the recommended minimum WOT RPM) you'll cause valve damage. Too bad you aren't in MA with the boat, cause the repair would be "simple" and not all that expensive. Best of luck with the boat.

Actually, the boat still is in MA till february and i'm planning to go there in the beginning of january to take the radar arch down. Where can i get the reconditioned head you suggested? I would gladly buy one and install it...

 

[MikDee]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

Actually IMO, that piston looks "washed clean" from water intrusion, I would check out that possibility also. Good Luck with it, Mike

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

I bought my heads at a local machine shop. If you search Rebuilt, Remanufactured, or Reconditioned 5.7 Vortec heads, I'll bet you'll find a supplier.

I did not look at you pictures, so MikDee and others have noticed other "damage" that might need to be addressed. Heads might not be your only problem.
As far as the props go, they might not be the problem. The bottom of the hull being fouled could cause lugging as well. That's what caused mine. Once the hull was clean the motor turns the correct rpms. But at least on a VP DP, you can get aluminum props that aren't as expensive as the stainless steel ones.

 

[ss9940_2]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

I bought my heads at a local machine shop. If you search Rebuilt, Remanufactured, or Reconditioned 5.7 Vortec heads, I'll bet you'll find a supplier.

Actually i'm coming from Europe and i would really appreciate any hints regarding those reman heads. I checked on dougrussell and the cost is $475 / head, so that makes a big difference. The boat is located in Onset bay, so if anyone can help me out i would really appreciate it.

Alex

 

[John_S]

Re: Volvo penta 5.7GLi, history + reliability

Check with Jegs, Summit, or GM parts. A new vortec head w/valves should be under $300.