2001 VP 5.0GI Cracked Raw Water Pump & Compression

[rrfisher]

I always make a test run with out the family for cases just like this. Ran it on Muffs for 10 minutes with no issue so I headed out to the lake. I ran about 2000 yards and it started to struggle, I thought it was because it had been sitting for 6 months and is a 19 year old engine, I thought wrong. 500 more yards and I overheat with a massive amount a oil smoke pouring out of the engine compartment.

Take it in to my Volvo mechanic and he finds a cracked raw water pump from a "bad bearing". He also ran a compression test and was getting ranges from 125-200. All my research is coming up with problems regarding a low compression, not high. I don't understand this.

Now we are at the point where he said he can get it running for about $1500, but it may not fix my compression issues or we wait until Volvo comes back on line and order a new long block which will be much more expensive especially considering the age of the boat.

Would overheating screw up my compression or are these separate problems? Anymore color in to this would be great.

1 Positive in this, my smoke signals had someone on me to help out in no time, but it was a pontoon boat, that has a 250 on her!

tow 2020.jpeg

[akorcovelos]

If your mechanic is saying you need a long block to fix low compression without doing a leakdown test, find another mechanic. Low compression can absolutely be the result of overheating, but 9 times out of 10 the problem is in the heads, not the bottom end. Have a leakdown done, that will tell you if it's the rings or valves losing compression and go from there. If it is the heads, it's a pretty straight forward fix that does NOT require even pulling the engine let alone replacing it.

[cmattj]

Yep what AK said.

Oh and the high compression is usually a result of water in the cylinder ( water doesn't compress ).

[rrfisher]

Thank you. Would my cracked pump cause water in the cylinders?

Funny thing is once i mentioned i want the leaking steering actuator replaced as well he started to come around to the repair over replace. I went that route just now, for 1800 vs the 10,000 he quoted me for a new engine. We'll get it running and go from there.

I dont really trust anyone else, so they'll get the work.

[akorcovelos]

Cracked water pump = severe overheat = blown head gaskets = water intrusion into cylinders. Did he say there was water in any cylinders? Because he definitely would have seen that when he did a compression test. Did he do a wet compression test on the low cylinders? That would tell you if it's the rings as well.

[Big Block Power]

Right he should have seen lake water in the cyl. Like they said bad head gasket in sure. Texas cowboy just did his himself and we walked him through it.

[rrfisher]

Just got a crappy call. Got it running yesterday and he said it seemed fine, today they ran it some more and it's making oil and the only definate fix is a new engine. So now this dude has me for at least a grand to get it running, fine, but damn you guys made it sound possible to repair and this guy didn't mention fixing head gaskets or any of it. The engine was fried.

Basically I sell what I got for what, $2000 or put a new engine for $10K and bring the boat back up to value and sell after that if I am not happy with it after this summer.

I don't finance this kind of stuff, don't have time to do it myself or keep taking it to different shops so new engine it is.

I hope this new one runs as well as my og engine in it's prime.

[akorcovelos]

If they won't give you any explanation of where the water is coming from I would get a second opinion before giving them $10k to put a new (is it a complete new engine or a long block?) in the boat.

[rrfisher]

The block, I asked for the 8.1. I got 19 years out of the first one, pretty good run.

[akorcovelos]

The block, I asked for the 8.1. I got 19 years out of the first one, pretty good run.

Wait, so he tells you the block is cracked based on what? And you’re now going to an 8.1 from a 5.0? And that’s what you’re getting for $10k?

Somethings not adding up here...

[rrfisher]

I actually asked to see about putting the 5.7, but it wasn't cost effective. Its making oil, so water is getting in somehow, I don't want to find out how at this point so he'll get the block and other components so, to me it's a new engine, but there will be some recycled parts from old to new going to be used just don't know what until they start.

[Big Block Power]

Here.
Or stick a gxi in it