Volvo AQ125A... Which Starter?

[tlombard]

Hey guys. I have an '85 Invader with the AQ125A in it and the starter went out while on the lake last weekend. Thankfully we were tied up with a bunch of other boats so getting a tow back wasn't a problem. Unfortunately I never thought to look at the actual serial number on the block. I looked in the parts section here on iboats.com and they are listing two possible starters for the AQ125A. One is for S/N below 7679/013489 and the other is for anything higher. My question is, how can I figure out what year that cutoff was manufactured?

I found a Volvo site to decode the serial number but it wouldn't handle anything older than 20 years (I know it is the original motor) and the link to the page for older motors doesn't work. Anyone have any idea? It just isn't possible to get back to the lake until this weekend and in order to get the part in time, I need to order it tomorrow... or else we will be stuck on the shore for the holliday weekend which is just not acceptable.

If anyone can give some insight, you would save my weekend possibly. If not then I am just going to have to take a guess or flip a coin. I'm hoping that maybe someone knows enough about the older S/N system to tell me that the cutoff was well before or after '85.

Thanks!

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo AQ125A... Which Starter?

With the cost of marine starters, I would look into having your current starter rebuilt.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Volvo AQ125A... Which Starter?

Cobe Marine was the best Volvo people I knew when I lived there.Pasadena, Md
info@cobemarine.com <info@cobemarine.com> They could get me anything I ever needed. That starter is about $400. So try a Volvo dealer too.J

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Volvo AQ125A... Which Starter?

Might try one of the aftermarket high torque, permanent magnet starters. Here's a listing on ebay and a link to the suppliers store. They also list the replacement part numbers for you. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Volvo-Penta-AQ-115-120-125-130-131-140-STARTER-/270411646399?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item3ef5ca45bf

 

[tlombard]

Re: Volvo AQ125A... Which Starter?

Thanks for the advice guys. I was able to get my dad to go down to the lake last night and check it out (he is an auto mechanic so things like this are well within his capabilities). I don't know if it is an actual marine starter or not but he was able to cross reference the part number while at his shop and came up with a Worldwide starter that will work just fine. We had to order it but we'll have it for the weekend and the cost will be about $78+tax which is much better than the prices I was getting when I called local dealers. The best I had found from them was $275 on one that I could get in time for the weekend.

If it isn't an actual marine starter then I guess it may not last as long but I don't plan on having the boat forever and since I don't pay labor on repairs like that... even if it only lasts a year or two, I'll come out ahead. I'm actually hoping to buy something a little newer and nicer before boating season next year at which point I'll just give this boat to my dad. He does so much free labor for me and friends and our cars and boats that it is the least I can do.

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo AQ125A... Which Starter?

The point of a marine starter is that it's protected from sparking and lighting up the gas fumes that may be in your bilge. Auto starters do not have the protection.

It's not safe for you or your passengers.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Volvo AQ125A... Which Starter?

Please listen to what Captmello is trying to tell you. There are senseless injuries and deaths every year due to people not understanding or not following the regulations. There's no excuse for knowingly putting yourself or others at risk. It may be possible for a local shop to "marinize an automotive starter so you might want to try that if you're determined to save money and buy an automotive starter.

The link I gave you above is an example of a source of aftermarket marine rated components and you can have the starter overnighted to you.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR KNOWINGLY PUTTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK!

 

[tlombard]

Re: Volvo AQ125A... Which Starter?

Thanks for bringing up the sparking issue. I will make sure that it is actually a marine starter before letting my dad put it on the boat. The risk of hurting or killing someone isn't worth saving any amount of money.