New (1988) boat, need info on it

[ftl900]

We picked up a new boat yesterday, and we're very excited about it- a 1988 Imperial VC230 with a 5.7liter I/O. The outdrive is Volvo, but I have no idea who made the motor.

It has starting issues, intermittent cranking. When the key is turned the starter either works fine, or nothing, but the voltage meter on the dash drops.

With jumper cables on it to a running pickup, it seemed to crank more frequently, but still not consistently. We were able to jump the solenoid mounted right above the starter on the starboard side of the engine and it fired up, so I suspect the solenoid is going south, altho we didn't test it repeatedly. Could be a starter, but my fingers are crossed that it's something easier, like the solenoid.

I saw (and bookmarked) the sticky on troubleshooting the starting circuit, and we'll go through that thoroughly, but if I need parts, i still don't know who makes the engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

Either a model number, or a serial number is needed. Or at least a picture.

 

[ftl900]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

OK, here's the engine. Funny, tonite I hit the ignition 3 different times, and it cranked each time. Gonna make it hard to troubleshoot the starter if it hits every time.

Starter is shown on the starboard side of the engine under the exhaust manifold, and I believe the solenoid is sitting right on top of it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

That is a GM based engine.
Start by replacing that green corroded wire to the starter and clean the grounds too.
That rubber fuel hose to the carb from the pump is not good either.

 

[Bondo]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

Start by replacing that green corroded wire to the starter and clean the grounds too.

Ayuh,... She's a Green Corroded mess,...
All of the wiring looks Suspect....

 

[ftl900]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

Are you talking about this fuel line in green?? I'll look closer at it, and all of the starter wiring, starting with the red wire that's tipped in green corrosion.


Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

Ayuh,... I'm talkin' about the Green in the wiring, regardless the color of it's plastic...

That fuel line,+ little filter is a Whole nuther Problem by itself...
The steel line that belongs there, is Still hangin' there...

 

[Don S]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

Truley a picture is worth a thousand words..

Dont even try to clean up that positive cable..New ones are 12-15 bucks..
Replace the ground as well..

And with that old steel fuel line hanging there, any chance somebody jerry rigged an electric fuel pump on her?

 

[kragmin]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

looks indent to my rig Volvo Penta AQ211A ????

 

[captmello]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

looks indent to my rig Volvo Penta AQ211A ????

211a is a 5.0 ltr 305 w/2 barrel carb, this poster says he's got a 5.7. Probably a AQ271 but with to my untrained eye, I'm not sure if he's got a Qjet or a Holley carb. Qjet=aq260, Holley=aq271.

 

[Don S]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

It's a Q-Jet carb

 

[captmello]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

It's a Q-Jet carb

Thanks Don, I should have known, I was starring at mine most of Saturday.

After looking at the photo again, I can see the accellerator pump on the front/top of the carb, should have known.

Anyway, If it is a 5.7 ltr, it would be an AQ260, If its a 5.0 ltr it would be an AQ225.

 

[ftl900]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

OK, I replaced the battery cables. The steel fuel line looks like the fittings are messed up. I'll look more into that. Meanwhile, I'm trying to get it running better. It has old gas in it, and I have no way to move 10-15 gallons of old gas anywhere to dispose of it. My current plan is to add fuel additives and new gas in an attempt to dilute the old stuff and run it out. Seem reasonable?

I also bought one of those oil pump change things to change the oil... only I can't find the dipstick anywhere. My son and I looked it over for about 10 minutes, and can't find any sign of a dipstick where I could pump the old oil out.

We're also looking at the oil filter and the water filter, assuming they need to be replaced as well. I'm just not sure what fits it, and I'm thinking the best thing to do is remove them and take them to the store.

 

[captmello]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

Look on the starboard side between the exhaust manifold and the breather hose leading up to the flame arrester. Thats where my dipstick is.

for an Oil filter, you can go to a Napa auto parts store, if you have one near you, and tell them you have a Volvo Penta AQ260 engine. they can look it up for you.

Or take the make and model number off the existing, like you said, and see if they can cross reference it. I saw you have a quicksilver filter, that is a Mercruiser brand filter.

 

[ftl900]

Re: New (1988) boat, need info on it

Thanks for the help... the dipstick was there, but even when we knew where to look, it was hard to find.

QJET carb, thanks. I checked the pics in the manual and was pretty sure it wasn't the Holley.

Replaced the oil fuel filter, drained the oil, and now we're battling the oil filter that seems welded on. We've tried everything we can find, and we're down to about a half inch of filter canister shards and the original spin-on plate. Can't budge it with anything, and can't get much of anything down in there, so we'll attack it again tomorrow.