1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

[ArmyStandard]

Boat: 2002 Regal 1800 VP i/o 3.0
outdrive: SX-M

Long time lurker and have learned valuable tips from the mainstays of the site. I bought my 1st boat about a year ago and have had some significant issues. Most recently, last weekend I brought the boat out after changing all fluids, impeller, and plugs...ride about 1 mile (moderate rpm)downriver and see smoke barreling out of the engine hatch. Turned off engine, immediately looked at temp gauge which read 175, so it wasnt overheating. The smoke was coming from the rubber exhaust boot. Last year,admittedly i noticed that a small stream of water was hitting the pulley behind the water pump but thought it was so small it would not affect anything. Now I am thinking maybe it was the problem (air suction, water flow, etc)? Against better judgment, after being towed back to dock...i cranked the engine and it fired up immediately and I saw water coming out the now charred exhaust hose...so it is at least getting water. This brings me to the boat background. I bought the bought which the owner described as been in salt water but "well-maintained". My 1st outing resulted in a broken serpentine hose, smoking exhaust boot, etc. I then replaced the impeller, exhaust, thermostat, temp sender. Afterwards, the boat ran great the rest of the season. Last weekend was my 1st outing this season. To my knowledge, it is the original waterpump and exhaust system. I am getting near a point of just thinking that there is irreversible corrosion and I will continue to have these nagging problems. I dont know if I provided enough information in this very drawn out post but if someone could help get me pointed in the right direction, id greatly appreciate it. Would it be wise and cost effective to have a marine mechanic diagnose the problem?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

Ayuh,... Obviously, Any leaks are a Bad thing,.. No matter how Small,...

It sounds like you need to verify that the cooling system is Up to Snuff, along with replacing All the burnt up rubber parts...

 

[captmello]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

I think I'd pull the riser and see how the cooling passages look. Post a picture of the mating surfaces of the riser and manifold. Hopefully just need new exhaust parts.

Let us know what you find.

 

[ArmyStandard]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

Thanks for the speedy responses. I pulled the riser and tooks pictures of the mating surfaces of both the manifold and the riser as requested. What can you guys read from looking at them? I am braced for the worst. 1st picture is the manifold surface and the last two are the riser.

 

[cooter2506]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

Pictures speak a thousand words!!!!! Replace those manifolds and risers. They are all but TOTALLY plugged. And welcome to Iboats!

 

[captmello]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

Well, the riser is clogged up with "stuff."

As a salt water boat, its ready for new a new manifold and Riser. Those paseges around the center exhaust pipe are water cooling passages for the exhaust. They clogged up enough to stop the water flow from cooling the Rubber riser hose.

If you need help along the way, just ask.

 

[ArmyStandard]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

Now I feel silly asking if those parts were bad after browsing the internet and seeing how they "should" look. Im running into a little trouble locating the parts though, and the manifolds Im noticing are in the $500 range alone. Are there any good aftermarket companies to buy risers/ manifolds from? I browsed a few ...sierra, burr..but I guess Im concerned about buying the correct ones. Do manifolds and risers come will all mounting hardware, gaskets etc, or is it a separate purchase. I hate to keep asking for help but I know there is a lot of experience in these forums.

 

[wkb2460]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

You can purchase Volvo Penta parts right here at Iboats or look at several aftermarket suppliers. I've heard bad things about GLM manifolds, I'd suggest you stay away from them.

 

[ArmyStandard]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

I ordered the Volvo OEM Manifold and Risers from MichiganMotorz.com. Price was about $740 shipped. Thanks for the help gentlemen. Anything I should be aware of when replacing the manifold? I plan on doing the job myself.

 

[cohibakid]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

I have the same problem as you, replacing manifolds and risers also, let me know if you find anything that walks you through the process, as I am also going to try to do it myself. Thanks

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

I think I'd pull the riser and see how the cooling passages look. Post a picture of the mating surfaces of the riser and manifold. Hopefully just need new exhaust parts.

good call!
You nailed it!

 

[ArmyStandard]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

Well, the new OEM manifold and riser is in and I am preparing to install. I can definitely see how sick my boat was after comparing the new ones to the old ones.

The riser came with only one gasket to go between the riser and manifold. However, I removed 2 gaskets and a steel plate between them when removing the old riser. Is the plate necessary? The guy at MichiganMotorz where I ordered it told me that it would be fine with just the gasket, but I am suspicious.

Also, should I add RTV to the gaskets (manifold and riser) or just gasket only?

Thanks again for all the tips.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

Are you sure you have an OEM parts?
Volvo calls for 2 gaskets and the plate.
Gaskets go on dry, No sealer of any kind.

http://www.volvopentastore.com/Inta...*****.069869598--store_id.366--view_id.313900

 

[ArmyStandard]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

Don,

They are definitely the OEM parts, have VOLVO stamped on them and look identical to the old ones. It looks like they didnt include everything I needed. After looking at the diagram, I am going to order the extra gasket and plate.

I just attempted to remove the manifold and ran into a small issue. Is there a removal method for the "double threaded bolt" on each end of the manifold? Looks like a vice grips job...but dont want to break the bolt. The exhaust pipe is in the way of just sliding it off and the exhaust pipe looks like a pretty intense job.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

Is there a removal method for the "double threaded bolt" on each end of the manifold?

They are called studs. Best thing to do is remove them completely and replace with bolts. If you have enough threads sticking out, you can double nut them and try to back the whole stud out of the head.

 

[captmello]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help

Have a look at this thread. The poster had a similar issue as you and it sounded like a PITA.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=285346

Good luck.

 

[ArmyStandard]

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help***update***

Re: 1st time post, VP exhaust, cooling syst help***update***

FIXED!!

1st, thanks to all of you gentleman who take time out to volunteer valuable knowledge on a forum like this. Second, I replaced all of the parts, correctly with OEM parts, and took the boat out on the river where she ran beautifully. So if someone has a manifold and riser that looks like mine and having the same symptoms...you know what to do. Now, if I can just fix the dang oil leak near the harmonic balancer....another thread.

Thanks again.