Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Volvo Engine 93 Glastron boat

R

Ryan McNeil

Guest
"Im looking into buying a used

"Im looking into buying a used 1993 Glastron SSV 175 bowrider. I do not have any prior information/knowledge about Volvo motor's in boats. Im used to seeing Merc's or Johnsons (Outboards).

I believe the boat comes with the AQ131C or D - 230 motor in it. The dealer told me it has about a 115hp motor. I have not opened up the motor case myself to check the stamping numbers on the side of the motor.

Basically what I want to know, is.. how reliable is a 13 year old Volvo motor going to be? Are they better then Mercs? Better service life etc?

Is there anything I should be looking for that might need replacing or needs regular replacing with normal use? Such as some pump or belt or plugs needing replacing every year. How often do these motors need servicing under normal use?

Is there an english service manual available online to view information regarding this engine?

Is there any known problems/bugs with this motor or the sterndrive unit itself (the SP model)? Is there any weak points in the parts that i should be concerned about? I know its hard to really judge based on not being able to see the motor or know how it was used/abused.

But I would imagine if 1-2 of these motors act up or do something strange, then the rest of them would also. Meaning that there should be some "common" problems associated with the use of these engines and maybe you guys have seen what is common to need fixing / replacing.

So if anyone can help me out or shed some light onto whether or not this would be a decent boat/engine to invest my cash into. I really would appreciate any information given.

Here is a photo of the engine:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/551919553/2329086230089991763XrXBvl



Thanks for taking the time to read the post."
 
"The AQ131C has a B-23 block

"The AQ131C has a B-23 block and is rated 120 HP. It is a “marinized” Volvo automotive engine. Its reliability depends on how well it has been maintained.

Better than Mercs? Mercruiser normally installs Chevs and Fords. The 4-cyl Volvos OHC are definitely quieter and if you take care of them they will last you a long time.

The 131 is single carb, so tune-up is pretty straightforward.

I would check that the timing gears are not corroded, as they will eat the timing belt in no time. However, you can get replacement gears from auto wreckers. Also, make sure that the exhaust manifold is not corroded (if it is, you will have to replace it). Run a compression test and make sure the readings are even in the 150-170 psi range.

You can download the owner’s manual from Volvo. Click on the link and search for the AQ131C.

http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/global/en-gb/marineengines/operators_manual/

You can also download a brochure with some basic data from the following link:

http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/global/en-gb/marineengines/older_engines_1/2002/ gasengine/sterndrive/


290 Sterndrives are usually bullet-proof, but like most things in salt water they will suffer from corrosion with time."
 
"Well I have been to both of t

"Well I have been to both of those sites, and unfortunately the first site where the operators manual is located, does not have an english manual. Closest one I could understand what is being said was the french version. The 2nd site I have been also, which is where i determined what engine was in the boat I was looking at.

The boat was originally sold from some boat dealer down in new york (reason is because the sticker is still on the hull). But since the boat is now sitting up in Muskoka, Ontario (all freshwater). I have to believe that it has been on freshwater for sometime. But if it has been run in saltwater at some point in its life, its unknown.

The boat is currently sitting at a Glaston dealer, so I would imagine that the compression test has passed. There has been a new alternator put onto it and some O-ring's have been ordered for the waterpump, because it was leaking. Other than that the history for that boat is unknown.

I appreciate all your info. Other then how it was maintained, I guess there is really no way of telling how good the engine really is.

BTW - what volvo car would that block be used it (make/year)."
 
"Regarding your last question,

"Regarding your last question, and according to Wikipedia: the B23 engine block is in models 81 to 84 of Volvo 240, Volvo 740, Volvo 760, Volvo 940. If you have a bad engine, you can always get one from the autowreckers and marinize it by transplanting all the marine parts from the old one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Volvo_engines"
 
"Now here is a really silly qu

"Now here is a really silly question to ask. If the boat is a '93, is it really a '93 model year block that was used when the boat was produced, or did they just use the '81-'84 blocks?

If it was, then that means the hull is 13 years old and the engine is really dated around 22-25 years old."
 
The fact that the Volvo folks

The fact that the Volvo folks stopped installing the B23 engine block in cars in 1985 does not mean that they stopped making that block for marine applications.
 
Ryan McNeil said:
"Im looking into buying a used

"Im looking into buying a used 1993 Glastron SSV 175 bowrider. I do not have any prior information/knowledge about Volvo motor's in boats. Im used to seeing Merc's or Johnsons (Outboards).

I believe the boat comes with the AQ131C or D - 230 motor in it. The dealer told me it has about a 115hp motor. I have not opened up the motor case myself to check the stamping numbers on the side of the motor.

Basically what I want to know, is.. how reliable is a 13 year old Volvo motor going to be? Are they better then Mercs? Better service life etc?

Is there anything I should be looking for that might need replacing or needs regular replacing with normal use? Such as some pump or belt or plugs needing replacing every year. How often do these motors need servicing under normal use?

Is there an english service manual available online to view information regarding this engine?

Is there any known problems/bugs with this motor or the sterndrive unit itself (the SP model)? Is there any weak points in the parts that i should be concerned about? I know its hard to really judge based on not being able to see the motor or know how it was used/abused.

But I would imagine if 1-2 of these motors act up or do something strange, then the rest of them would also. Meaning that there should be some "common" problems associated with the use of these engines and maybe you guys have seen what is common to need fixing / replacing.

So if anyone can help me out or shed some light onto whether or not this would be a decent boat/engine to invest my cash into. I really would appreciate any information given.

Here is a photo of the engine:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/551919553/2329086230089991763XrXBvl



Thanks for taking the time to read the post."
Click to expand...
Do you still have this boat? I love mine, but I need the engine covering (seat-like motor box) for my 1993 Glastron... can I buy yours or is there any way you can measure it or draw a diagram or something, so I can have that back piece built? - Mike Westover
 
Any ideas??? I need an engine covering (seat-like motor box) for my 1993 Glastron SSV 215... can anyone help me find one? If not, is there any way someone who owns one can measure it or draw a diagram or something, so I can have that back piece built?
 
Back
Top