Volvo AQ130 Water in the oil - what to check? :(

[elv_1986]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, but have been reading a lot of topics on here and your all extremely knowlagable!

I am working on the Volvo AQ130 (connected to Volvo 270 Outdrives) engines in my boat which has been stood for 5 years on a tidal mooring. I have replaced manifold gaskets and bolts, impellers, water filters and re built the carbs. I started my starboard engine up today, with the water pipe in a bucket and got her pumping water.

Problem I now have is the dreaded water in the oil (white dipstick) Firstly I though head gasket, but now I see that it could be the oil cooler seals?

Is there anything else which may cause this problem? If not, how can I check the oil cooler?

Many Thanks,
Louis

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo AQ130 Water in the oil - what to check?

A cracked block can also cause the problem. Happens a lot on raw water cooled engines that don't get drained for winter.

 

[elv_1986]

Re: Volvo AQ130 Water in the oil - what to check?

Oh no, I hope its not a cracked block :S

I am going to get the oil cooler off soon to check the seals, hope its something easy!
Just a thought - I did run the engine with the outdrive all the way up, would this have done anything? I didnt put it into gear because of the UJ's.

 

[keithc81]

Re: Volvo AQ130 Water in the oil - what to check?

I am dealing with the same issue right now. I am hoping its just the oil cooler but I am going to replace the head and manifold gaskets since I have it all torn down now. For the oil cooler you will want to check and make sure none of the tubes are leaking. Just hold it under water in a tub with the ends capped off and see if you get any air bubbles. The seals are just a few dollars so might as well replace them anyway.

Its best to always run the outdrive as far down as possible to put less stress on the u-joints but it shouldn't have any effect on water getting in. I don't think it matters too much if its in gear or not, just how much throttle you give it, since the u-joints are spinning whenever the motor is running.

 

[strange brew]

Re: Volvo AQ130 Water in the oil - what to check?

Not familiar with your motor but this just happened to me. I have a V-6 Chevy motor with a Volvo 275 outdrive. I fired it up coming out of my winterization mode and everything went well. Two days later I went to fire it up again (on the water hose). Checked the oil before hand and I was 1 1/2 quarts high. I knew it was water in the oil as I had gained 1 1/2 gts.
So after much tinkering (check the compression) what I found was that my heat risers to the exhaust manifold gasket had failed. Note I have a heat exchanger system wherein I have a water/antifreeze system and also a raw water system. So the water from the raw water system leaked into an open exhaust valve and into the oil. As I didn't lose any anti freeze and I had good compression that narrowed it down to the heat exchanger system. Sure enough that was it. If you have this system check it out.

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Volvo AQ130 Water in the oil - what to check?

AQ 130 is raw water cooled................And what is a heat riser?

 

[elv_1986]

Re: Volvo AQ130 Water in the oil - what to check?

I have removed the oil cooler & pressure tested it to be fine, fitted new O rings & re installed it. I then took the Jabsco off, and found what seems to be a bad seal, so a new seals are in the post and fingers crossed!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo AQ130 Water in the oil - what to check?

I would do a pressure test on the block if I were you. See if it holds 15 PSI.

 

[boatfriend007]

Re: Volvo AQ130 Water in the oil - what to check?

I had a 74' larson with an aq130c motor.
I got to know this motor so well I could tear it down to the block and put it back together easily.
I will bet the problem you are having is this simple thing: 1 o ring comes off the back of the impellor shaft( you will never see if you just take the cover off the impellor housing and pull out the impellor for replacement). It then lets water pass down into the oil pan and you cant figure out where. You have to remove the whole housing for impellor service or you will miss this o ring.
It took me a long time to figure this out. hence I came to know that motor too well ! I dont mean to sound like I know it all, I am right now looking for answers here to my current problem. I hope that helps you cause it is a cheap and easy fix.