Volvo penta stern drive longevity

[Lil Fern]

Hello All, wondering at what age a volvo penta stern drive and 4.3GL
(both about 1993 models) are expected to last to?
Serviced yearly and bellows changed every 4-5 years.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... Properly serviced,..?? Longer than the hull will,....

 

[Lil Fern]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... Properly serviced,..?? Longer than the hull will,....

For real? all mechanics that work on my boat tell me i need to replace both. yes, it’s properly serviced every year.

 

[Bondo]

For real? all mechanics that work on my boat tell me i need to replace both. yes, it’s properly serviced every year.

Ayuh,..... For What reason,..??

 

[BRICH1260]

As long as it is still working properly, I`d disregard them. Probably just trying to stir up work for themselves.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

Someone is trying to sell you a new boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if its an AQ series drive it will outlast the hull, the motor and your great grandchildren with proper maintenance.

For freekin real, no BS. 'cuz i dont have a new boat or drive to sell you.

Now, if the drives were neglected, that is a different story.

on the other hand, your 29 year old boats you are looking at will most likely have structural problems when you go looking. bet you find wet wood in the transom, stringers, motor mounts and bulkheads

 

[Lil Fern]

Ayuh,..... For What reason,..??

They say because she is old.
Thank you for your reply!

 

[Scott06]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... Properly serviced,..?? Longer than the hull will,....

True statement have yet to see the mechanicals wear out with basic maintenance and occasional seal replacement

 

[Scott Danforth]

They say because she is old.
Thank you for your reply!

Most cases, old is better than new

 

[enginesilo]

I hear it all the time that “mechanics won’t touch it” or refuse to work on old boats, but truth is these outdrives and engines have hardly changed over the years. Well maintained stuff is as hard to work on as any other boat, possibly easier than boats that are only 5-10 years old and are neglected. Seems like nobody ever escapes a mechanic easy, the hourly charges add up regardless.

The more you do yourself, the better.

 

[jerryjerry05]

The reason they don't want to work on them is they "DON'T KNOW HOW!!!"

I started working on Volvo's in 1986.
At that time there was a flyer going around that told of the dependability comparing the Volvo Mercruiser and OMC drives.
They hooked 3 identical motors to their respective drives.
They started them and let them run.
The OMC broke after 50 hrs.
The Mercruiser after 250 hrs.
The Volvo, after 1000 hrs. they turned the motor off (wouldn't break) and found NO damage anywhere.
I had a 32 Bayliner with twin 350 Chevy hooked to 280 drives.
Great combo, the only thing that would have been great was T@T added to the combo.

 

[Lou C]

As far as I am concerned with proper maintenance and fixing problems before they become more serious (leaky bellows, leaky seals) outside of strike damage just about any outdrive can last over 30 years. The Cobra I still have has not had any mechanical repairs to the bearings, gears etc since I've owned it and that's 19 seasons, and it's now 33 years old. Mechanics who won't work on old stuff are likely worried about seized fasteners which of course we can all understand as well as some parts just not being available.

 

[SkippyG]

Hello All, wondering at what age a volvo penta stern drive and 4.3GL
(both about 1993 models) are expected to last to?
Serviced yearly and bellows changed every 4-5 years.

I’m new here but I do have a 1986 saltwater fishing boat that has a AQ225D
with a 290sp outdrive that has 3000+ hr and has never had the heads off or the outdrive apart with the exception of a prop shaft seal, ujoint bellows,
exh manifolds and water pump impellers and a few odds and ends that I can’t really remember over the years. I would like to add, it has had fresh water cooling installed since new and I’m sure this has helped........