Volvo Penta AQ125B/270 project.

[MechanicDave]

So I think I scored a great deal but time will tell once i get into this engine on our new boat, little back story its my neihbors fualt that I got a boat, they loaned up theres for a vacation and we all got hooked. So I found this 1985 Bay Liner Capri 16.5' with a Volvo penta AQ125B/270 setup.

So first thing I started repairing is the switch board, Yeh bad idea adding light up switches... I wired the switches correctly but forgot about the bilge pump and how it takes 2 power inputs and when the float turned it on the power lead from the switch back tracked and grounded... LOL yeh i got a nice cloud of toxic smoke bellowing from under the dash. (lesson 1 learned)
Now lesson 2 I forgot the reverse pin was installed, and I found a tree under the water... I shelled the prop.
So I am hoping this is the few lessons that I needed to learn and no more bad stuff...
Ok next problem, the engine jumped upto 260 degrees. so I found there are a few leaks in the coolant system...
leak one the plastic elbow from the heat exchanger to the tube that runs to the sea water pump. LOL found no o-ring where there should have been one.
Then leak number two, coolant leak at the O-ring between the coolant tank and the heat exchanger.
these are the only leaks that i have found and it does not seem to me that it should be over heating from these 2 little leaks, I did pull the thermostat and test it on the stove, between 185, 189 degrees F. it opens right up, and leave it out for a moment and it closes tight...
SO what might I be missing, I will be replacing the O-rings and running a pressure test on the system in the morning and see if I have any other leaks but other experiance and wisdom is always welcome since I am new to this engine and the common problems it may have.
Also I gave $600.00 for it think I got a steal of a deal on it?

 

[Nhpatriot]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125B/270 project.

Raw water strainer clear? Raw water pump good?
I'd do a compression test, often overheating is a head gasket leak.

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125B/270 project.

I think that totally depends on whether all the wood is ok. If everything is solid then that's not a bad deal at all.

Make sure the impeller is pumping water through the heat exchanger and make sure there's coolant in the closed side.

 

[MechanicDave]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125B/270 project.

I did not do a compression test yet but that is the next thing to check, also I took it out for a little run to make sure the heat was staying good and yes its good runs at around 180-190 deg F. I am conserned about the oil pressure though it was running a bit high i think 80psi while on WOT came down when the engine slowed down. I put a 14x19 prop on but I think I need to order the correct one WOT plained out I was getting 25-28MPH I would like to see at least 38MPH out of it and my rpm WOT was 3900 is that about where I want this engine to run?
Fresh water screen was cleaned and when I fried the ground wire under the dash with my switch I also killed the bilge pump so off to get one at walmart the next time i head there...
ohh and wood was good for the most part inside the access panel in the middle of the boat there was some water damage to it but its not too bad ill dry it and seal it this winter.

 

[rav221]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125B/270 project.

If you have any water damage in the center well/storage area, no matter how small, check further. If you show damage here it may very well have come from elsewhere. I'm on my third project boat, I also got a steal on a 1986 Bayliner 19ft this year, with AQ225/275. Paid $900.00...perfect interior, great running V8, but I continue to find the mechanical and hull issues which nickel and dime you to death. My $900.00 investment is now $1600.00.

Running at 180-190 is right on spec for your engine I believe. Also, your engine can run up to 80lbs oil pressure at high RPM and probably around 40 cruising at lower RPM. At higher RPM the oil pump is working faster. I think on the AQ125 the WOT RPM should be around 4800-5000.