1997 Volvo 5.0Gi engine - simple queries

[ontheplane]

Hiya,

If I was thinking of getting a boat with this engine (don't ask yet - all will be revealed if it comes to pass) then what are the major things to worry about??

Some things I already know:-

1) The risers issue - the ones on the boat in question have NOT been changed and it's raw water cooled - So I wonder how one can check the condition of the existing ones to see if they need doing - NOT cheap from what I gather

2) Cambelt - cars are easy - if it's getting to 5yrs and 50k I'd be changing a cambelt. Does this engine have a cambelt, and if so, how easy is it to replace?

4) Anything else to look out for?

Ta

 

[ontheplane]

Also, I have heard you can take a sample of oil and send it off for analysis - which can tell you a lot about the condition of the engine - anyone know where this can be done and how much does it cost?

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Also, I have heard you can take a sample of oil and send it off for analysis - which can tell you a lot about the condition of the engine - anyone know where this can be done and how much does it cost?

Can't help with the other questions, sorry - but Finnings do the oil analysis. If you're having a survey done on the prospective new boat, then some surveyors will include this as part of the survey. I've used Jim Pritchard for surveys before, he's very good, and includes the oil analysis.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[ontheplane]

Do you know what he charges, and what area does he cover?

Boat is currently lying South Coast

 

[Spi D]

1) The risers issue - the ones on the boat in question have NOT been changed and it's raw water cooled - So I wonder how one can check the condition of the existing ones to see if they need doing - NOT cheap from what I gather. On average risers AND MANIFOLDS live approx 8 years (depending on use and salinity). Many fit FWC when replacing.

2) Cambelt - cars are easy - if it's getting to 5yrs and 50k I'd be changing a cambelt. Does this engine have a cambelt, and if so, how easy is it to replace? These GM blocks dates back to the late fifties and have a chain driving a centrally placed camshaft - no belts

4) Anything else to look out for? If you cannot yourself get a pro to survey it. Cooling, charging, idle, performance, the sounds and smell will tell a lot as will a visual inspection. Compression test and oil analysis are facts to study and evaluate.

These engines are normally connected to a Volvo 'Aquamatic' sterndrive, and a survey must include this as well.

Is maintenanace history available?
In general no marine engine is cheap to repair. Volvo is among the dearest

 

[ontheplane]

Also, does anyone know if a conversion is possible to change one of these engine from Raw Water cooled (i.e. sea water around the block) to Closed Cooled - Sea water into a heat exchanger then fresh water & Antifreeze round the block?

 

[Spi D]

Yes indeed. Come as kits, mentioned in my reply as FWC (Fresh Water Cooling).

"Half" kits cover the engine excl manifolds, "Full" kit covers all.

Does not have to be Volvo. Several alternatives around

 

[ontheplane]

Thanks.

Any ideas as to the cost of one of these kits??

I will be getting a survey done, which will include (hopefully) an oil analysis.

Good to know risers last 8 years - this tells me that these will be shot and will need budgeting for.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Do you know what he charges, and what area does he cover?

Boat is currently lying South Coast

He's based on the IOW and covers everywhere, as far as I can tell. He's done one for me as a buyer in Swanwick, and as a seller in Brighton. Regarding rates, I think the rule of thumb used to be £15 a foot but I could be very out of date on that. He's a very nice chap - give him a call:

http://www.jimpritchard.co.uk/

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[ontheplane]

Ta jimmy

Re this Fresh water cooling - looked on the web - OMG - £1000 for a few bits of pipe and a heat exchanger! RIP OFF.....

Anyone know where one could get this stuff for sensible money?

Thanks

 

[Spi D]

Thanks.

Any ideas as to the cost of one of these kits??

I will be getting a survey done, which will include (hopefully) an oil analysis.

Good to know risers last 8 years - this tells me that these will be shot and will need budgeting for.

You need to hunt prices.

Guess: Manifolds £250, risers £125 - per side and you need for two sides since it's a V engine.

Think FWC kit is some £750-1500

 

[ontheplane]

Yes - the FWC kit seems about £1500 - where I could get one for £750 I don't know - might (just) be interested at that.

If I didn't go the route of a FWC system and just flushed the engine after every use, and then when I got it home ran it in a tank of fresh water + antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor do people think that would be ok? Also, can you run a raw cooled engine in a tank of antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor or is there anything in the antifreeze mix that could damage it?

Cheers

 

[ontheplane]

Can you tell me - would the antifreeze mix thing work ok?

 

[GrahamHR]

Why don't you just buy the Volvo Penta Neutrasalt kit ? It's about £150 or less I think.A switch on the dash that opens a valve, the inhibitor liquid is sucked into the engine via a T Piece fitted just before the oil cooler at the rear of the engine; you'd need to be sure the engine was fully warmed up, so that it goes through the engine, manifolds and risers.

 

[ontheplane]

Cos I didn't know of such a thing!!!

I'll look that up - it sounds interesting!!

 

[Spi D]

Cos I didn't know of such a thing!!!

I'll look that up - it sounds interesting!!

Some 'invent' similar solutions by fiddling Gardena connectors to the cooling jacket. Better than nothing, but not to compare with FWC, imho.

The habit of using salt water to cool a lump of hot cast iron is one big mistake.

Guess why engines in the Med are always FWC? Saltwater is aggressive, hot saltwater is extremely aggressive.

FWC means putting a stop to corrosion, even if fitted on older engines.

Raw water riser or manifold, where it mixes cooling water to the exhaust

FWC risers:

Goes without saying that blocked ports prevents proper cooling (and whatever disasters that may bring in term of blown head gaskets, oil/water mix etc.)

 

[neale]

Your FWC risers pic isn't coming up but the water going through the risers will always be raw water regardless of cooling system. The only way to have fresh water going through the risers is to keep the boat on a lake

 

[GrahamHR]

FWC also allows the use of a "hotter" thermostat, so the engine runs at the temperature the car manufacturer originally intended. My VP V8 has FWC, but the exhaust manifolds and risers are sea water cooled; hence the reason I have the Neutrasalt kit fitted. I removed them after 6 years, they looked very good inside the cooling galleries so I refitted them with new gaskets.

I've not come across a "full" FWC to include the exhaust manifolds/ risers for Volvo Penta; I know they are available for Mercruiser. Also Mercruiser now use a dry joint gasket between manifold and riser; so no water passes internally from manifold to riser ; the flow is external. The gasket sealing area is much wider . I've not seen such "dry joints on a VP V8.