Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

[2000Falcon]

Good day all!

Looking at a boat in FLA right now (remotely via internet). She's a 2005 Formula 330SS with twin 8.1L Volvo Pentas.

Both OEM Volvo outdrives have been replaced and fitted with B3 drives so I don't see any issues there. However, BOTH engines have been replaced by the owner. Engines replaced 120 and 420 hrs ago respectively. Broker tells me that the Volvos had an Oil Cooler issue.

Can anyone elaborate for me as to whether there are other issues with these engines I should be aware of moving forward with this? If it was only an Oil Cooler issue, would a later Gen engine etc have rectified this issue? I don't want to buy a boat and have to sink 20K in new engines in the first couple of years of owning it.

Experiences, opinions or thoughts? Appreciate all feedback!

Thanks a tonne in advance.

Kind regards,

Ross

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Good day all!

Looking at a boat in FLA right now (remotely via internet). She's a 2005 Formula 330SS with twin 8.1L Volvo Pentas.

Both OEM Volvo outdrives have been replaced and fitted with B3 drives so I don't see any issues there. However, BOTH engines have been replaced by the owner. Engines replaced 120 and 420 hrs ago respectively. Broker tells me that the Volvos had an Oil Cooler issue.

Can anyone elaborate for me as to whether there are other issues with these engines I should be aware of moving forward with this? If it was only an Oil Cooler issue, would a later Gen engine etc have rectified this issue? I don't want to buy a boat and have to sink 20K in new engines in the first couple of years of owning it.

Experiences, opinions or thoughts? Appreciate all feedback!

Thanks a tonne in advance.

Kind regards,

Ross

Ayuh,.... Where, 'n How did they go from Volvo to Mercruiser,..??

Bravos on a Volvo sounds like a junkyard dog,...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

I find it funny that only volvos get an oil cooler issue since the same vendor that makes the Mercruiser oil coolers makes the nearly identical volvo oil cooler. Im with Bondo here, I would avoid that boat. something does not pass the smell test.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Well you can put merc drives on a Volvo engine. They probably were the plastic drives and they did a conversion. Why there would a reference to OSI is beyond me if there was Bravo111's on there. I am with the gang here. It's a junkyard dog. Both engines replaced also. There is more to the story then your being told.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Anyone who can afford to change out drives like that on a 330SS can afford to do it right. This one stinks badly.

 

[2000Falcon]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Thanks for the replies!

I'm told the original out-drives were the composite XDP drives by Volvo, which I read were riddled with issues. Or at least when paired with the 8.1's.

What I'm reading is here a lot of concern over the out-drive conversion, and not necessarily the engines. Interesting.

I had assumed that whomever wanted/needed the out-drives changed wanted away from the XDP drives. Are the B3 drives in this configuration a fright?

What about reliability of the 8.1's in general? Do you think I'm being lied to about the oil cooler issue? Sounds like this isn't necessarily a common issue as I would be lead to believe?

It's truly a shame, because the boat is in fabulous shape, however I have noted the broker hasn't been able to answer a lot of my questions, and has recently gone quiet.

Thanks again!

Ross

 

[2000Falcon]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Formula 330 SS - Tampa Yacht Sales - 727.647.5557

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Not sure why Volvo is even mentioned. There is nothing from the original Volvo left except may a few engine parts bolted to the block.

The ad says the Formula 330 is Formula's best selling boat. You think the seller may exaggerate slightly?

 

[2000Falcon]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Not sure why Volvo is even mentioned. There is nothing from the original Volvo left except may a few engine parts bolted to the block.

The ad says the Formula 330 is Formula's best selling boat. You think the seller may exaggerate slightly?

Quite correct. haha.

We all know how sellers and brokers can sugar coat dog sh*t. That's why I'm trying to dig a little.

 

[2000Falcon]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

So I've not been sleeping again because I keep coming back to this boat.. And although I have read, understood and respected all the above opinions, can anyone give me some sound technical reasons as to why the Volvo/Merc B3 pairing is something to stay away from? Reasons?

And again, are there any real issues with the Volvo's?

Thanks again.

Cheers!

Ross

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Well, you know there have been drastic things done here. Hopefully, the install was all done properly and you won't have issues down the road. You would need someone that is familiar with the potential pitfalls of doing this job and what to look for like what corners were cut when they did the swap.

 

[2000Falcon]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Well, you know there have been drastic things done here. Hopefully, the install was all done properly and you won't have issues down the road. You would need someone that is familiar with the potential pitfalls of doing this job and what to look for like what corners were cut when they did the swap.

Thanks Bruce. All valid concerns and questions I'm going to ask. It would appear as though the work was done professionally by a dealer, but I am verifying. If so, I will request to see ever service record I can get my hands on.

Thats regarding the conversion itself.

Any issues to note with the Volvos that you know of, over and above what's been noted above?

Cheers!

Ross

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

None.

Little bit curious why both engines were replaced though. Did the boat ever sink?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

my guess is the exhaust manifolds rotted off and the motors were hydro-locked

 

[2000Falcon]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

my guess is the exhaust manifolds rotted off and the motors were hydro-locked

@bruceB58, Thanks.

@ Scott, Is that a common issue with the Volvo's? Anything with cooled manifolds I've seen in the past, this was an issue. Unsure how how the cooling works on these units.

Are they all Fresh Water cooled, or was that an option?

What do you know about Drive showers? Do all B3's have this ?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Even if they are fresh cooled, it would have to be a full system to cool the manifolds as well. Even if it was a full system, the risers aren't cooled and if they fail, that will also allow water into the engine.

I do not know if Volvo 8.1s came with full systems or not.

B3s don't come with drive showers.

 

[2000Falcon]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Even if they are fresh cooled, it would have to be a full system to cool the manifolds as well. Even if it was a full system, the risers aren't cooled and if they fail, that will also allow water into the engine.

B3s don't come with drive showers.

Well understood Bruce, thanks.

I was looking at a similar Formula in Clinton, OH a few months back. It had twin 6.2 Mercs, B3's and it had drive showers (according to the broker and ad). Must be an add on option from Formula.....??

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Volvos only use half systems on the 8.1's to my knowledge. only some of the Mercruisers have full systems

Fresh water cooling is optional.

Falcon, having the exhaust manifolds last longer than 5 years in salt water would be a miracle. its not a volvo thing, its not a mercruiser thing. its a salt water and cast iron thing called rust.

I have a friend of mine that makes a living re-powering low hour boats because the owners never look under the hatches or even have the foggiest idea on maintenance.

 

[2000Falcon]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

Volvos only use half systems on the 8.1's to my knowledge. only some of the Mercruisers have full systems

Fresh water cooling is optional.

Falcon, having the exhaust manifolds last longer than 5 years in salt water would be a miracle. its not a volvo thing, its not a mercruiser thing. its a salt water and cast iron thing called rust.

I have a friend of mine that makes a living re-powering low hour boats because the owners never look under the hatches or even have the foggiest idea on maintenance.

Roger that Scott.

I work at sea for a living and am too familiar with the corrosive properties of Sea water and cast steel. I guess secretly I had hoped the design was a little better

I had a Volvo Penta years ago and probably got about that out of the Manifold, plus various outboard motors rot right through the cylinder walls Fun Fun.

Would be worth while pulling these for inspection before any serious decisions were made for sure. Any tips on inspection possibly without pulling them? Timeline of 5 years is a good start.

R

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo 8.1L Osi issues?

RWould be worth while pulling these for inspection before any serious decisions were made for sure. Any tips on inspection possibly without pulling them? Timeline of 5 years is a good start.

You can pull the risers and inspect the manifold riser joint at that time. I would assume you will want to change them no matter what.

Will be interesting to see which manifolds are on there. I would assume they have merc manis on there but who knows what was cobbled up to match the merc transom shield.