AKtroller61
Recruit
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2014
- Messages
- 1
This is my first time entry. We recently acquired a reconditioned 1973, 21' Glasply that has a rebuilt Volve Penta 280 single prop outdrive along with a rebuilt (with last 3 yrs, light use) AQ170 engine that is cooled strictly by the water brought in by the outdrive unit.
I knew parts where scarce and expensive but the engine pictures were appealing as it looks like a good old basic engine more of my era.
Previous owner used lightly, not mechanically inclined and said engine was flushed after any use be it salt or fresh water.
Problem: After checking systems, hoses etc over carefully, I fired up the engine which did so easily and ran nice. Very soon my problem appeared. No water was coming out the 280 outdrive and temp was rising on gage (non numerical type). I shut things down immediately.
I noted a slight rubber smell, and suspected the impeller. Took cover off and sure enough, impeller was old, brittle and broken up. Some of the impeller wings were still intact and semi-flexible, others in pieces and the core with key was fully spun free.
Managed to locate a spare at our sole Volvo Penta shop after much deriding by owner and comments about owning such a "dinosaur".I soaped up new impeller and installed, even opened strainer cap (clean, no debris) and "primed" it with water prior to start. I made sure on all of these attempts that the 280 outdrive was adequately submersed in a tub of water, hose going to keep topped off. Anyways, fire it up, same problem, no flow.
Spoke to VP outfit where I got impeller, owner said to direct water backwards towards outdrive looking for leaks, especially the rubber hose near outdrive rotation point. All seemed okay with nothing noted as seepage or cracked hoses.
I then took all petcocks off other than one on right side of block and flushed as much water with a hose reducer as possible. Put all back together, still no flow.
I separated the twin pipe connection just off the impeller housing and directed water into the tube leading to the oil cooler. The water just backs up and does not flow out anywhere (is that normal?)
I have called all I know in our isolated small town for assistance with a retired mechanic advising I take off thermostat housing and front facing piece that accessed the front of the exhaust manifold. He said to try and flush all access areas first with hose water. Then add hydrochloric acid into what ever chambers I can access. This is the acid you can buy at a standard hardware store and I am aware of the chemical hazards to humans. I did test the thermostat as it looked redish orange with slight deposits on it. It opened up fine in the pot of water on the stove.
So I have not done those steps yet. I am seeking advice from any of you as I am trying to pin down the reason and/or area that the blockage is occurring with out having to do a major tear down. Is his recommendation ok? is there a method to do a good exhaust manifold flush without removing it?
I am torn because the external simplicity of the engine I like, it fires up and runs very well, yet it does need water flow. The local VP guy will grudgingly look at it but stated it will be very spendy and recommended I yank it out and use it as an anchor. I cannot afford a repower.
Thank you
I knew parts where scarce and expensive but the engine pictures were appealing as it looks like a good old basic engine more of my era.
Previous owner used lightly, not mechanically inclined and said engine was flushed after any use be it salt or fresh water.
Problem: After checking systems, hoses etc over carefully, I fired up the engine which did so easily and ran nice. Very soon my problem appeared. No water was coming out the 280 outdrive and temp was rising on gage (non numerical type). I shut things down immediately.
I noted a slight rubber smell, and suspected the impeller. Took cover off and sure enough, impeller was old, brittle and broken up. Some of the impeller wings were still intact and semi-flexible, others in pieces and the core with key was fully spun free.
Managed to locate a spare at our sole Volvo Penta shop after much deriding by owner and comments about owning such a "dinosaur".I soaped up new impeller and installed, even opened strainer cap (clean, no debris) and "primed" it with water prior to start. I made sure on all of these attempts that the 280 outdrive was adequately submersed in a tub of water, hose going to keep topped off. Anyways, fire it up, same problem, no flow.
Spoke to VP outfit where I got impeller, owner said to direct water backwards towards outdrive looking for leaks, especially the rubber hose near outdrive rotation point. All seemed okay with nothing noted as seepage or cracked hoses.
I then took all petcocks off other than one on right side of block and flushed as much water with a hose reducer as possible. Put all back together, still no flow.
I separated the twin pipe connection just off the impeller housing and directed water into the tube leading to the oil cooler. The water just backs up and does not flow out anywhere (is that normal?)
I have called all I know in our isolated small town for assistance with a retired mechanic advising I take off thermostat housing and front facing piece that accessed the front of the exhaust manifold. He said to try and flush all access areas first with hose water. Then add hydrochloric acid into what ever chambers I can access. This is the acid you can buy at a standard hardware store and I am aware of the chemical hazards to humans. I did test the thermostat as it looked redish orange with slight deposits on it. It opened up fine in the pot of water on the stove.
So I have not done those steps yet. I am seeking advice from any of you as I am trying to pin down the reason and/or area that the blockage is occurring with out having to do a major tear down. Is his recommendation ok? is there a method to do a good exhaust manifold flush without removing it?
I am torn because the external simplicity of the engine I like, it fires up and runs very well, yet it does need water flow. The local VP guy will grudgingly look at it but stated it will be very spendy and recommended I yank it out and use it as an anchor. I cannot afford a repower.
Thank you
