Major Malfunction

[CapeDano]

My Classic is a 1996 w/ Volvo 41Ps and straight screws and I had a major problem with it this weekend and would like some insight from anyone whom has maybe experienced the same problem.

I was offshore cruising along @ apx 3500rpms when suddenly I began loosing speed, it dropped 5-10mph in a matter of a few seconds. I looked down and all my warning lights for my port motor were illuminated so I throttled back and turned off the motor, the temp on the motor was also upto just under 200 degrees when I looked down at the gauges. I began limping towards home on my one good motor and raised the hatch and felt the turbo cooler on the port motor and it was hot while the other motor that was still running was cool. I also started the motor after it had cooled down a bit and noticed it sounded flat and not as deep and throaty as it is supposed to.

I am not mechanically inclined at all and have a deisel mechanic that services my boat on a regular basis coming to look at it but they will not get to it for apx 1 week. The suspense of knowing what is wrong with it is killing me and I was wondering if anyone has any insight into what the problem could be to set my mind at ease.

[Qman]

Very possibly could be something as simple as your water pump. If your pump goes you then loose cooling for the turbo. Which would explain the hot turbo. It doesn't explain all the warning lights (should have high temp light)or the loss of speed. Unless your Volvo's have some sort of safety that slows down engine when alarms sound. Hope it is a simple problem, keep us posted, I'm interested to know the problem. I am no mechanic either but have had water pump failure.

[Capt B]

How was the oil level?

[backman]

check oil, check coolant, check impeller, do not start

if any of those have the slightest hint of a problem.

then examine the bilge for fluid leaks; check hoses and gaskets for signs of a leak.


My bet is water pump failure which would explain the overheat; the hot turbo and also the flat sound as your no longer exhausting both water and exhaut; just hot exhaust.

If it was the pumop you or your mechanic needs to find any and all pieces missing from the impeller.

The good news is that if its a water pump you did all the right things and you will not have hurt a 41.....

[Bullish]

If it is related to an overheat problem I would first check to see that water is coming out of the exhaust pipe. If so, you probably don't have a water pump problem. If less water is coming out than starboard exhaust pipe:

1. check sea water strainer to make sure you didn't suck up a plastic bag or something.
2. check impeller to make sure it is intact.
3. check all hoses to make sure there is no obvious leak.
4. check radiator fluid level
5. you could also remove the mixing elbow to make sure it isn't clogged

You might also want to check the airfilter. Also, earlier this Summer I found both of my compressors leaking air where the top plate meets the top of the compressor (6 bolts go down through this plate). I resealed with Loc-Tite.

I assume you weren't blowing black smoke out of the exhaust. If so, you may have burned up the impeller or simply blown the compressor fuse which would immediately cause you to lose power. Compressor fuse on my Kamd 44p's is located under left side of EDC control module on front top left of engine. Not sure on your engines.

Good luck. Let us know once you find the problem.

[Bullish]

Backman,

I burned up an impeller two years ago and drained the aftercooler without finding any pieces. Where else should I look? In the heat exchanger?

[backman]

Its been a while since my 42...

but wasn't the path impeller -> heat exchanger -> aftercooler -> transmission cooler? Follow the path - you know those pieces are in there somewhere!

[Bullish]

Thanks for the tip. I need to change my antifreeze in the Spring anyhow.