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I have a 2004 Volvo Penta 5.7 GXi-F, 320 HP, fresh water cooled, 510 babied hours. It was running like a Swiss watch at the end of last season. I just went to start it and it wouldn't turn over; it would only click. I switched it to all three batteries and it turned slowly and eventually started but was rapping like crazy. Blown, I presume? Long block or short? Thanks. AL

When you say "rapping", do you mean connecting rod slapping cylinder wall, lifter noise, or dieseling? Please don't take the following questions as insults.

1. Is there oil in the engine? Sometimes people forget to add oil after a change.
2. Did you "fog" the engine last winter? How long did you let it run as it was rapping?
3. Did you check the sparkplug wires to make sure they were all connected. Sometimes a loose wire or two, can make an engine "diesel" that sounds like its about to blow.
4. Did it run "okay" while it was rapping, or was it rough?

Thats about all I can think of off the top of my head.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

There is oil in the motor and it is crystal clear. I haven't checked the wires, but the motor needed three batteries to turn it enough to start. Definite resistance, so I wouldn't think it's a wire issue. It did not sound like a lifter; it was much louder. I don't know much about motors but my brother does. He thinks I threw a rod, but how does that happen from just sitting? Ran perfectly last fall. I did not fog the engine as it is usually only sitting for about 10-12 weeks and didn't think it was necessary. I never had any issues before and a recent compression check showed all cylinders in the 150's. Thanks. Where should I look for a long block?

Hmmm, definately odd. Well, I can tell ya it is impossible for a rod to be thrown in an engine that has sat for the winter, unstarted. It either was thrown when it was shutdown last (which you say it wasn't, so thats out), or someone started it while it was layed up (unknown), or it happened upon startup. If it is a rod making the noise, it is more than likely a spun main bearing, not literally a "thrown rod".

The thing that has me scratching my head is that it took 3 batteries to get it to turn over. Unless the connecting rod is stuck in the cylinder wall, starting wouldn't be any harder than normal. I have started plenty of engines with a thrown rod, heck I drove an old Ford Bronco 45 miles once with the rod a slapping like crazy.

Getting a reman block can be expensive (parts, labor, etc), I would get your engine checked out completely to diagnose exactly what the prob is first. If it is just a main bearing, it would def be cheaper just having the lower end of the block rebuild. Bearing kits can be found on any auto parts website, and especially 350 Chevy kits (most common). Doesn't have to be marine for that.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Volvo recently recommended an oil change from SAE 30 to 10W40, which I did last year. I'm assuming 10W40 is a thinner oil and maybe the cylinder walls were completely dry which caused the resistance and all that power thrown at it did damage upon startup. My own fault. I'm seeing long blocks in the $2,500 range. Is that pretty accurate? Of course this all happens right before I was going to show the boat to someone. I told him about it and he wants to see it anyway. I'm trying to determine what the cost would be to replace it. I'm figuring two days labor, so I'm hoping between 4-5k.

I doubt that the change in oil caused this, and $2500 is a bit high. I know ric found a 5.7 for a lot less, maybe he will chime in here. I still think your best (and cheapest) route is to get the bearing kit, if that is what the prob is. Def get it diagnosed before shelling out the $$$$ on a block.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Ok, thanks. The guy still wants to look at the boat, which is mint besides. I'm trying to figure how much to knock off if he wants it.

Hmmm,,,,very strange indeed. Did it have oil pressure when it did finally run? My best guess on why 3 batteries were needed to get it to start is; battery drain over the storage period.

Don't go throwing a long block into it just yet. My guess as to why she puked (something) during storage would be a broken valve spring. Common on 350's and they also have 2 springs per valve as a back up to prevent catastrophic engine damage. With a broken valve spring, you'll get all kinds of loud funky noise but as long as you shut it down fairly soon, no damage. It takes about an hour to change a spring.

Next step: compression test. If you have one cylinder quite low, time to pull the valve cover and have a look.

John

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07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

Batteries are all good and fully charged. I'm thinking resistance due to no fogging and then the power put to it with three batteries and a new starter did some damage. Hope you are right!!

Sounds like rust/water damage. That shouldn't happen even if not fogged.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Fresh water cooled so the motor has anti-freeze in it. Oil is clean. ???

Check the cable where it is connectd to the starter motor from the battery switch. That connection has a myriad of metals (aluminium. mild steel, copper plated steel, brass, zinc plated steel, stainless steel) ideally designed for corrosion in a damp environment. 12.8 volts at the batteries corresponded to virtually nothing at that connection. Mine was awful.

Is it possible that the exhaust manifolds or risers cracked and antifreeze backed into the motor? Wouldn't the oil show evidence of that? I drain the manifolds and fill them with antifreeze so I would think they are good. I don't know. Scratching my head.

My brother just listened to it and said its definitely top end, either a stuck valve or lifter. Makes sense.

Well if that's the case just undo the ignition and take off the valve covers, crank it over and check.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread