Buying an eBay boat

[tpenfield]

I wouldn't expect any structural issues on an 11 year old Chappy . . . That would be more like a 20 year old issue.

 

[MTboatguy]

did you check the water pickup on the drive unit?

 

[rrstl3]

Whew...

 

[rrstl3]

MTboatguy - I pulled the cover off the back of the out-drive, and underneath there is an inspection plate. I removed it, and everything looked clear as far as I could see. I haven't removed the out-drive yet. As a kid I used to work on Chevys a bit, mostly due to abject poverty, so I'm comfortable working on the engine. I'm frankly a bit intimidated by the out-drive... Never had one off, and not sure what's under there once it comes off. In my feeble mind, I always imagine pulling it off and having loaded springs, bearing and unidentified parts scattering across the concrete never to be seen again. Do you think that's where my problem is?

 

[MTboatguy]

Well if you have checked all the other areas and they are working, that only leaves a couple of things that are not working correctly, you might take a look in the motor section that covers what you have and start asking questions. Taking the out drive off is really not that big of deal, there are few things you need to watch out for, but nothing that is going jump out and blow up on ya!

What does it have for an out drive, I looked back through the thread and I might have missed what it is?

 

[rrstl3]

It has (or had) a Volvo Penta 5.0GL-D with the SX out-drive.

 

[oldboat1]

not getting this I guess. You have a manual/parts diagram, I assume. You meant to look for the water pump impeller, yes? dropped the foot and looked at the impeller?

Water circulating pump on the engine, like your old Chevy. Impeller in the I/O lower unit is the raw water pump, like an inboard also has (or outboard, of course).

 

[1216bandit]

That really is one heck of an ordeal! You must have been about ready to blow a gasket yourself.

 

[UtahBoating]

I am glad to see through this ordeal that it didn't turn you off on boating. It sounds like at least now you should have a boat that should last for many many years to come. Hats off to sticking with it.

 

[BRICH1260]

Get her fixed and go enjoy the pleasure that a boat brings. With the new engine you will have peace of mind for the future. It`s a good looking boat.

 

[littlerayray]

Very nice looking boat for sure too bad you had such a hard time with it

 

[rrstl3]

The only raw water intake of which I'm aware is bolted to the front of the harmonic balancer. Am I missing one in the out drive? I have no manuals or diagrams. I've found most of what I'm looking for via the internet. I recently ordered a Seloc manual (from eBay) in hopes it will provide more detail.

The next issue I've encountered is when disassembling the engine to take the heads to the machine shop, I fastidiously documented the location of each wire, senor and hose with pictures on my phone. Afterwards, as I was washing out the oil and grime from the bilge (onto a pig mat under the drain plug hole) and, of course, my phone slipped from my pocket into the accumulated water in the bottom of the bilge. No backup. The phone shop say they're gone for good.

I'm beginning to think we Hampton's aren't a nautical breed...

 

[NYBo]

Whew, what an ordeal! Thanks for posting, and taking the high road and not trashing the dealer (who you contact; maybe they will give you some compensation).

Are you keeping the SX outdrive? Anyone know if it will handle 330 HP over the long haul?

 

[oldboat1]

rrstl3 -- impeller on that Volvo outdrive could indeed be belt driven, not in the outdrive. apologies for misleading. There is in any case an impeller, which would need to be checked and potentially replaced (obvious damage would indicate likely cause of problems -- or some of them).

edit: see in #45 you replaced the impeller. apologies yet again. condition of the original is of interest -- will just look on....

 

[rrstl3]

When I pulled the impeller out, it looked practically new, not even "set" with the impeller's blades leaning in one direction. Later, I did find pieces of a previous impeller in the thermostat housing. I looked extensively for additional.parts but couldn't find any. I even used a bore scope to look in the water drain holes on the block and never saw anymore pieces.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Go to Volvo Penta website and download factory manuals. The seloc manuals are not worth the paper they are printed on

 

[smokeonthewater]

When I pulled the impeller out, it looked practically new, not even "set" with the impeller's blades leaning in one direction. Later, I did find pieces of a previous impeller in the thermostat housing. I looked extensively for additional.parts but couldn't find any. I even used a bore scope to look in the water drain holes on the block and never saw anymore pieces.

With that info the plot thickens... Soooooo NOW we absolutely know there was an impeller failure and likely an overheat condition before you bought the boat....
We also KNOW that whoever replace the failed impeller didn't get all of the pieces out but that you weren't told about any of this...

Soooo the question is how many times was it overheated and how bad???

Maybe the engine was already seriously damaged before you got it and MAYBE the previous owner and or the dealer knew it...

Not sure any of that does you any good except possibly set your mind at ease some as at least some of the problem was likely to have been beyond your control.

 

[rrstl3]

I've tried to contact the dealer several times via e-mail and phone. No response either way, which leads me to believe he knows why I'm calling.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Doesn't sound like it's a very reputable dealer.....

 

[rrstl3]

Agreed. I won't do business with them again.