Volvo Penta AQ125/270

[willawalla]

I bought an old 19' Bayliner with this engine and outdrive with the knowledge that the engine did not turn. I found out that it would turn after oiling the cylinders. Then I found that the oil was frothy (like it was mixed with water). Does that necessarily mean a blown head gasket? Would a compression check verify if it is? If so, does anybody have any tips on replacing the head gasket? Is it straight-forward and easy like replacing the gasket on a Chevy, or is it trickier? Any tips or help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, are there any concurrent problems with this engine/outdrive model? Any idea on how the boat will perform with this set?

Thank you to anybody who'll respond!

-Jeff

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

Those motors usually ran great.If it turns over with oil in the cylinders,add Marvel Myster Oil and let it set for at least 5-7 days.This will help loosen any of the rings that might be stuck. If it sat for a while and there is water in the oil your exhaust manifold probably went bad.Remove it and check the ports on both the engine and block for corosion and rust. If it looks like it is leaking thru the ports.Then replace the manifold. It was very rare that the head gasket would go bad unless the motor was overheated bad.If you start replacing the head then you get into timing belts and other nightmares.
Check the manifold first.
The sterndrive is bullet proof.Made to last a very long time(with good upkeep)
They use 30wt oil. and are filled under the cover that says 270(big screw on the left).Top screw is dip stick. If I remember right it's 2-1/2 -3qt. I have found on these that they ran best with Volvo props.
Remember you only have a 125hp and it will pull a skier or wake board but won't win any races. Let me know about the manifold.Jerry

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

The froth usually indicates a cracked block, in most boat engines, but yours has closed cooling, so perhaps you lucked out. Is it possible the oil had water in it before you started working on it? Change the oil before doing anything further. If it is a cracked block, I'm pretty sure it's the same block used in Volvo 240s, so there should be scads of used ones availble cheaply.

The head gasket is very easy to change on that engine. The heads can warp though. I had mine ground flat by a local machine shop and it worked fine.

Those drives tend to allow the raw water pump to suck air into the incoming cooling water when a simple plastic bushing fails. The raw water inlet hose elbow on the drive may corrode and cause the same problem as well. The reverse lockout pawls are wear items are are pretty expensive.

On the engine, the heat exchangers can clog easily with weeds and other crud. Muriatic acid cleans them easily, but is highly corrosive to the aluminum housing on the heat exchanger and/or skin/eyes, so be very careful. Those engines are touchy about ignition timing and dwell. I have heard that an inexpensive electronic ignition conversion kit makes dwell a non-issue and will make annual point/condensor replacement a thing of the past. I have no experience with them. I can't think of anything else, but I bet others can.

I would expect 35 MPH WOT with a 19 foot boat. That's a lot of boat for 2.1 liters to push.

 

[Hitech]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

Those engines are touchy about ignition timing and dwell. I have heard that an inexpensive electronic ignition conversion kit makes dwell a non-issue and will make annual point/condensor replacement a thing of the past.

I have a 120 and replaced the points with an electronic conversion. It wouldn't start before that, and started right up after putting the conversion kit in. So far it has worked great. I used Hot Spark (also replaced the coil).

 

[willawalla]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

Thank you both for your help, I really appreciate it.

I don't understand what you meant about removing the exhaust manifold, however. We just pulled it off, it was cast iron and solid as a rock; looks like new. Last cylinder back, one bolt had corosion. I don't understand how water could leak into the engine from the exhaust. We pulled the plugs and every one is as clean as can be. The engine turns freely with just a cocket and 1/2" rachet. There was at least a gallon of water in the oil; I just can't figure out where it came from. If it had a blown head gasket since it sat a couple years, wouldn't it have tried to seize the engine up? All the freeze plugs look fine as well, could the block have froze and broke internally before a freeze plug gave way? Or could this simply be the head gasket? I don't want to pour a lot of money into it and find out I have a junk block.
Also, I need a solenoid for my starter before I can crank the engine over, it's the one with two screws holding it on. Could that be purchased at a local auto-parts store, or is it a marine part only?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

The cooling water circulates thru the heat exchanger then exits thru the exhaust manifold in a separate chamber from the actual exhaust, then is joined with the exhaust at the exhaust pipe outlet. If the exhaust manifold or gasketed connection is corrupt then the cooling water can enter the exhaust manifold and then on into the engine thru any open exhaust valves.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

Is the starter rebuildable? They start about 300$
The exhaust manifolds rot away over time and leak into the cylinders.If there is no major rust in any of the exhaust ports then it should be ok.Test it for blockage,run water in it and see if it is blocked.The end may need some cleaning with an awl.Your motor should have antifreeze in it. The only part with raw water is the heat exchanger(red thing ,front of motor).If there was a gallon maybe the boat sat uncovered and rain went thru the carb into the motor.
You have a two part system half anti freeze and half raw water.If you have a coolant system tester you might test the antifreeze side.Pull the radiator cap and check for coolant.Loosen the drain plug on the lower side of the motor If there is coolant there then the block is not cracked.If you have no coolant in the block use the drain plug and apply air to it there.Just a couple of #s of air or it will blow the pipes off. It should hold pressure. Jerry

 

[Maclin]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

If there was no water in the cylinders and the spark plugs looked all the same and normal for an engine that is running well then the block could be the problem. It should be antifreeze mix in the oil if the block has cracked cooling passages internally. The cooling system of an engine can be pressure checked easily on a closed cooling system, there is a special cap that can be used to pressurize the system and then listen for leaks, and check how long the pressure holds.

 

[Hitech]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

Also, I need a solenoid for my starter before I can crank the engine over, it's the one with two screws holding it on. Could that be purchased at a local auto-parts store, or is it a marine part only?

Marine only. Anything in the engine compartment that makes sparks must be sealed as the engine compartment is enclosed and subject to gas fume buildup.

SEA-Manufacturing can rebuild it for you or may have one you can purchase. I purchased on from them and had my old one rebuilt. You may even be able to talk him into selling you parts.

Here is a link to their eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/SEA-MANUFACTURING-CO

 

[willawalla]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

To everyone that helped last time; thank you so much, it did turn out to be the exhaust manifold. I got that fixed and the engine runs fine. Now I have a new problem: the outdrive does not raise or lower. One the lift motor I have two wires, black and brown. I'm just guessing one would be for up and one would be for down. I jumped each wire to a positive wire to see if the motor was okay, nothing. So I'm wondering, is the motor bad, or does it have to go through one of the two solenoids I located inside the little black box.
Thanks, Jeff

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

Your best bet would be to post your new question in a new thread. Since many only answer the original post, and not all the replies, your second questions will become lost in no time.

 

[barefoots]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125/270

To check the tilt motor put hot on one wire and ground the other. + black/ - brown = up and - black/ + brown = down The black plastic box that sets on top has 2 relays in it that burn out or rust out. You can get them at radio shack