Volvo Penta 5.7L GS - taking a long trip and need advice

[CascoBay]

I am preparing to take a 300 mile trip on my 2000 Larson 254 Cabrio with a 5.7L Volvo Penta GS engine, which has 700 hours on it.

I plan to replace the following for preventative measures:

-Distributor cap and rotor
-Spark plugs
-Inspect plug wires (2 seasons old) and replace if needed
-Replace ignition coil (cheap insurance)
-Replace the two belts with new and keep the old ones on board for spares
-Replace the rubber water pump impeller
-Install 2 new batteries (3 seasons old)
-Change engine oil and filter
-Replace the fuel filter
-Change outdrive oil

I am wondering if I should replace the inline fuel pump? How long do these last? At $200 or so I would rather not replace it if they do not have a record of failing.

Thanks a lot for the advice.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.7L GS - taking a long trip and need advice

Hi- I just completed a 140-mile RT in my boat and didn't do anything beforehand except to top off all fluid levels (including the batteries), check condition of belts and hoses; and tighten the alternator belt on the stbd. engine. Just fix and service whatever needs to be fixed and serviced. If all of the items you listed are due/overdue for service, you might want to review your maintenance schedule going forward. If it's all good now, another 30 hours of service shouldn't matter.

It never hurts to carry spare belts, hose bandage, ignition parts, and the tools to change them as needed. Towing insurance is a good investment.

As an aside, if you service ALL of those items right before a trip, Murphy is bound to strike with either a snafu on your part or a defective new part someplace.

Enjoy your trip!

My .02

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.7L GS - taking a long trip and need advice

Thanks for the input. My cruising grounds can be pretty remote. I am due for a few of those items on the list in the upcoming season and figured I would just get it done.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.7L GS - taking a long trip and need advice

When was the last time you had the drive off and checked the bellows for water, checked ujoints, gimbal bearing, alignment, greased the splines for the coupler etc.
I wouldn't change coil or fuel pump if they are working now, or plug wires (2 years is not old) but if it makes you feel better, take new ones as spares.
I would also take a spare relay for your starter and fuel pump. Actually, one of those should be on every boat even for local trips.

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.7L GS - taking a long trip and need advice

Thanks a lot Don.

I take the drive off every fall and check alignment and make sure everything is good. I will get spare relays.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.7L GS - taking a long trip and need advice

When we headed offshore on a sailboat, I installed all the new 'spares' and kept the old proven parts as backups. This way I was familiar with the R&R and knew I had all the tools to do the job.

 

[koejc2]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.7L GS - taking a long trip and need advice

When was the last time you had the drive off and checked the bellows for water, checked ujoints, gimbal bearing, alignment, greased the splines for the coupler etc.
I wouldn't change coil or fuel pump if they are working now, or plug wires (2 years is not old) but if it makes you feel better, take new ones as spares.
I would also take a spare relay for your starter and fuel pump. Actually, one of those should be on every boat even for local trips.

How difficult is it, Don or CascoBay, to take the drive off and check the items you recommend above? I just became the owner of a 2002 Larson LXi 210 w/VP 5.0GL/SX. I have almost zero confidence in any recent maintenance history. This past week was stranded twice on a lake - may have a fuel pump issue (didn't know I should carry a spare).

What recommendations do you have as a new owner...what items should I replace/check? What items should I always carry a spare of? (I plan to keep it in fresh water lakes.) Should I consider investing in a set of Volvo shop manuals?

I read on another thread something about replacing the rubber impeller. Is this recommended? Thanks.

[Do I need to start a new thread as these questions do not relate to a VP 5.7L GS?]

 

[wellcraft19]

Re: Volvo Penta 5.7L GS - taking a long trip and need advice

Start a new thread...