2004 Volva Penta 5.0 GL Issue - Please help!

mracekvb23

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Joined
Jun 8, 2015
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2
I'm not a mechanic at all, but I brought my boat in to have it serviced and mechanic couldn't fix it. Getting a second opinion in a couple of days and hopefully they can fix it, but I'm hoping to point them in the right direction with your help.

The issue is that I have no hole shot. It idles fine, and if I slowly throttle up to top speed it works no problem, but if I punch it to pull up a wake boarder, it just stumbles and I have to pull it back to idle to save it. Doesn't matter if I have a wake boarder or not, if I try to punch it, it stumbles/chokes or floods.. seems fuel related. Last year my mechanic replaced the fuel pump because it wouldn't start last year. I told him about the hole shot issue and he thought it was a carb issue, so this spring he put a carb kit in but didn't make any difference. He also replaced the distributor cap and it made no difference. He also tried a new fuel pump in case the replacement was bad. I read something that there is a high pressure and low pressure fuel pump? Maybe he replaced the high, but the low pressure is the issue? He used a different fuel source and it made no difference.

I have kids that want to go skiing, please help. Thanks in advance!
 
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bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,620
You only have one pump.

Have you ever checked compression? Is the timing set properly?

One thing I would try i srunning off a separate fuel tank to make sure there isn't a restriction between the tank and the pump. Have you replaced the fuel filter?
 
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mracekvb23

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Jun 8, 2015
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Thanks for responding. Compression check was done and OK. The mechanic did use a different fuel source and no change. Fuel filter hasn't been changed, but a separate tank was used and the issue was still present. New spark plugs were installed. Nothing was touched with the timing that I'm aware.

The mechanic believes there is some metal on metal noise coming from the engine...

So, end of 2013 summer, everything was running great... 2014 spring, I found a some trace of oil coming out of the lower unit. It worried me a bit because I had never seen that before. I took it in as a precaution. Mechanic said it was fine and normal to have a little leak afterwards. Took it to the lake and it wouldn't start.. brought it back and they got it started... took it home.. then next time I wanted to go out I tried starting it with the garden hose and it wouldn't start again.. brought it there and they couldn't either.. said it was the fuel pump. Replaced fuel pump.. took it out to the lake finally (Aug) and then this issue with no hole shot afterwards... called them up and he said it was probably carb getting gummed up after 11 years... I decided to wait until spring to have it cleaned up because I didn't want it to get cleaned up and sit all winter and get gummed up again... brought it in this spring after waiting 4 weeks for my turn, and they put the carb kit in and did all of the other stuff above with no luck.. Getting a 2nd opinion tomorrow... but basically going 2 summers with no boat.

Do I have any right to sue the mechanic? I had a perfectly good boat in 2013... he winterized it at the end of 2013 and has done all work to this point... or am I just screwed if they say the engine is the issue??
 

bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
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30,620
Hard to believe the fuel filter has not been changed at all. That should be changed yearly!

Also, not normal at all for any oil leaking out of lower unit.
 
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