Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

[captmello]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

There are really 3 parts to the outdrive. Personally, I would look for an entire outdrive (not the transom shield, unless you need it)

What wrong with your current outdrive???

 

[shawnn82]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

There are really 3 parts to the outdrive. Personally, I would look for an entire outdrive (not the transom shield, unless you need it)

What wrong with your current outdrive???

I dont know. Don S. suggested a wrong gear ratio. The gears themselves are expensive. I figured gettin the lower unit would be the cheaper alternative. It was just an option i was exploring. It turns out I am not the only one with the same problem. From reading a similar post on another forum with same engine /boat , a 14x13 prop solved one problem. I am considering that as an option as well. I am at my wits end with this boat / engine not being able to get past 3000rpm.

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

A 14X13 prop would be a bandaid for some other problem, pull the prop remove the anode and the gear ratio should be stamped there.

I would do the tune up and see how it does.

 

[shawnn82]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

A 14X13 prop would be a bandaid for some other problem, pull the prop remove the anode and the gear ratio should be stamped there.

I would do the tune up and see how it does.

Thanks for the info, saved me some money. SO i pulled the prop and sure enough like you said, there it was staring at me in the face - stamped 2.15:1.
I Owe you a big one! keeping my fingers crossd on the tune up. I agree with the prop suggestion. Hopefully the tune up takes care of it.

 

[shawnn82]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane


Here is pic from inside distributor. Is the burn? Marks indicative of anything if not faulty timing?Or is this just normal wear and tear for age.

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

Turn the engine around by hand until the points are open and take a pic. That cap has a little wear on it, but you are mostly looking for carbon track marks and cracks.

 

[Robj]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

Hate to say it but that prop is tok steep for a large boat with such a small motor. It should have something like a 14 x 13. That is where I would start.

 

[awdurland]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

You're trying to find problems where there are none, You dont have the wrong prop or the wrong ratio. Why would you? Do you think the previous owner would make a change and have it not work and not change it back. I would bet your problem is in timing and dwell yet you never verified these settings. You just jump to it must be the wrong prop or a gear ratio is wrong...Think about it.

 

[awdurland]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

Is your prop powder blue just like the lower unit... If it is it fits the 275 outdrive.

 

[Robj]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

I have a 15x17 prop on a 18 foot boat with the same engine. There is NO way that small engine can push a 22 foot boat even if it was running properly. Quite simple yku are WAY overpropped.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

Go back o the original prop. A Volvo prop works best on any Volvo.Some aftermarkets really kill the performance.Post a pic.
The gear ratio is probably not the problem either.
Put the tilt pin in the second hole.Trim tabs down as you take off then up as you accelerate.
6 people is WAY too many for that boat.

One tooth wrong on the belt ?


Do the timing and dwell 10deg is what I remember(could be wrong).
Then check the fuel system.Ethanol is messing with hoses and plastic.
The tank vent could be clogged.The anti-siphon in the tank clogged.The pickup clogged.
Fuel pump pressure
Profile?? You might be close to someone who can help.
Post a pic of the prop.

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

Heres a quick test. Go out with only you on the boat and little equipment. See what it does. Before I rebuilt my AQ125, it would run like a DOG with 5 of us on board, but fly with just me, even though the compression tests came back ok. WIth a rebuild, it gets up just fine with a full load.

Not that this will be very specific, just point to an engine problem.

 

[shawnn82]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

AFter going through 3 mechanics and a lot of money, i am just going to learn and do further repairs myself. Im starting with the timing belt. Had a mech install a new timing belt and apparently wasnt done right, the engine shakes real bad when fired up. Never had this problem before. Can anyone show me in picture/diagram how to align the marks on the belt with pulleys and what steps to take for an aq131a engine.

 

[shawnn82]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

I Have also ordered a petronix ignition and coil. Should help with getting the install done quicker / easier without having to set dwell. Just stumped on the timing marks for timing belt and pulley positions. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[shawnn82]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

You're trying to find problems where there are none, You dont have the wrong prop or the wrong ratio. Why would you? Do you think the previous owner would make a change and have it not work and not change it back. I would bet your problem is in timing and dwell yet you never verified these settings. You just jump to it must be the wrong prop or a gear ratio is wrong...Think about it.

I agree, however trying to find the right mech has been a problem this side of florida. Im mechanically inclined so ive decided to take on this task (timing) myself with a little guidance from this forum. Jumping to wrong prop or gear ratio was then becoming my only option as no one could find anything wrong with it. Each mech had something to say about the work done by the one before. Jus tired of it. Gonna do it on my own now.

 

[shawnn82]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

Heres a quick test. Go out with only you on the boat and little equipment. See what it does. Before I rebuilt my AQ125, it would run like a DOG with 5 of us on board, but fly with just me, even though the compression tests came back ok. WIth a rebuild, it gets up just fine with a full load.

Not that this will be very specific, just point to an engine problem.

Even with 2 people on board, still wont get past 3000rpm.

 

[gmurphyboat64]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

I have a AQ131D with the 275 outdrive and I had a similar problem. I was driving along and all of a sudden could only go 7mph. After much research was told to replace the condenser on the side of the distributor and that fixed the problem. I would try that $10 part.

 

[shawnn82]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

Okay so here is the latset update. After pulling everything apart (well most of it, couldnt get the timing plate / cover off because the two bolts that hold it in place were stripped and seized up, need to figure out how to get them off) I did find that the timing belt was put on wrong. I will tackle this later as i need to figure out how to get them bolts out. So i decided to take apart the distributor as well and after pulling it out, and removing the breaker plate i found that the weights and springs were corroded and also seized up. Rubbiing against the rust build up on the inner wall as the shaft turned. Im positive that that was the problem to begin with regading it not being able to get past 3000 rpm and speed under load in the water. So question, would it be worth taking to a shop and having it cleaned out or would i be better off buying a new one. It is a bosch distributo number 0231178019. Now given that they are brand new upwards of $1000. Is there any place i could find them used or perhaps an aftermarket replacement for far cheaper?

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131A w/275 Stern Drive wont get up to plane

Well there you go, no advance.
I dunno about distributor... Ive got the electronic unit on mine. The last CAR I had with points was a 1970 Dodge. I threw my dwell meter away 20 years ago. I have a motorcycle that has 3 sets of points. Thats enough for me.

Anyho, You could try to clean it up, polish the shafts, maybe some new springs....theres always Ebay for a used one. Theres probably a broad cross application amongst the other Volvo 4 cylinders...Id bet the 125 unit would work, B21, etc....