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Brand new 2019 R7 with VP 380. I went to start engine and got a loud “Clank” tried a couple of more times, then a heavy electrical smell and smoke coming from starboard rear side of motor. Hmm? I figure starter issue. Dealer says engine was “hydro locked” Conversation immediately goes to operator error snapping throttle back? Hmm. I’m 70, it’s my baby, not my style, but? Maybe boats from my childhood. But today with closed cooling systems? Go gear heads, figure this one out.

Closed cooling wouldn't change anything regarding sea water entering the exhaust system. But I find this incredibly unlikely, nonetheless. And for them to immediately start down the "operator error" path is annoying, IMO.

Do you have Captain's Call option by chance? (even that is unlikely)

Gail Force wrote: Tue May 21, 2019 7:07 am Brand new 2019 R7 with VP 380. I went to start engine and got a loud “Clank” tried a couple of more times, then a heavy electrical smell and smoke coming from starboard rear side of motor. Hmm? I figure starter issue. Dealer says engine was “hydro locked” Conversation immediately goes to operator error snapping throttle back? Hmm. I’m 70, it’s my baby, not my style, but? Maybe boats from my childhood. But today with closed cooling systems? Go gear heads, figure this one out.

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Where are your batteries located GF? Did the dealer already look at it or is this their assessment over the phone? Hydro lock would not be a good thing.

That clank sound is the classic noise you get when the starter pinion engages but does not turn the flywheel. Usually it’s because there isn’t enough juice flowing to the starter. The most common cause of this symptom is a loose battery terminal connection. A 1/2” box wrench to tighten the battery cable on the battery terminal could solve that.

The burning smell may be something touching those two battery terminals. That will ground out the current and also produce less current flow in addition to that sound you’re hearing.

I would start there. Hydro-locks are rare but can happen. Keep us apprised .




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Tbully mentions CC as surges of water hitting the transom was a condition of water being able to shoot back into the exhaust risers and since the engine is idling it would allow possibly water to reversion into a cylinder.

Now keep in mind that most through hull exhaust a has flappers and internal flappers as well to prevent this.

No captains call...
Factory risers are higher now and dropping’s to the y-pipe isn’t a issue as they described.
By the way these conditions when occurring create an instant miss or stall as it’s that sudden. Not after you parked it.
You’ve either lost a riser on the exhaust or a head gasket . ( that would show low coolant in your resv bottle).
Sad news if there diag is correct as it results in broken pistons and bent rods possibly.

Keep us posted after they do a proper engine pressure check on the coolant side and then a leak down internally.

Batteries are fully aft port at the transom.

I agree that the smoke/smell was like the starter cooking while trying to turn a locked/frozen engine. (they need to replace the starter as part of the WARRANTY work - even if the starter still works after engine repair)

CC flappers should absolutely stop any water. While it's not great practice to slam a boat in neutral, designs these days (for both CC and just normal risers) account for that as @cmattj eludes to.

I'm with you. Either a riser and/or gasket. Not operator error. Dealer's stock went down in my book when they jumped to that conclusion.

Very easy way to tell, pull the plugs and crank it over. If water shoot out of the plug holes you in trouble. Seems far fetched on a brand new boat, I tend to agree with above comments that there is something electrical causing the starter not to have the power to crank the engine over. The magic smoke leans towards a fault in the ground system causing enough resistance to melt wire casings. Post some pics of the batteries and engine, might be able to spot something.

So No Captains Call Exhaust. Batteries are together on port side, smoke came from starboard rear side of motor. Volvo/cobalt mechanic says "hyydro locked" I say how did you know? He says when 2 rear spark plugs were removed, water flowed out of holes. So they "the shop" wanted to know about water skiing/ throttle chopping? Ha water temp is still in 40s. Turning key off at full throttle or pulling red shut off? Nope. I started at dock and idled over to ramp to pull and wash boat. Same trailer as last three boats, same ramp for last 25 years. New R7. What did I do wrong. R7 has been in production for how many years with VP 380. I read VP service bulletin about 3 inch riser extensions. Really? What did I do??

You did nothing wrong. Tell the dealer to change their attitude or you’re calling Cobalt and possibly an attorney.

The boat is designed to hand throttle chops, stalls/shutdowns, etc when underway. Insane that they would ask these questions and accuse you out of the gate.

I’d probably already be on the phone with Cobalt.

Who is your dealer?

tbully wrote: Tue May 21, 2019 8:37 pm You did nothing wrong. Tell the dealer to change their attitude or you’re calling Cobalt and possibly an attorney.

The boat is designed to hand throttle chops, stalls/shutdowns, etc when underway. Insane that they would ask these questions and accuse you out of the gate.

I’d probably already be on the phone with Cobalt.

Who is your dealer?

+1
Time to take the gloves off

No worries... it’s warranty period. The Dealer tech speculation has nothing to do with the failure. Odds of this happening are rare and I’m suspicious of a manifold failure.
Warranty through Volvo pays the dealer to repair it. It’s not like the owner of the Dealer has to write a check.
It’s frustrating I’m sure but smile and tell them to hippity hop on this warranty claim as your family has some boating to do!!

I'm not saying anything bad about my dealer. Infact I'm going to buy lunch for the guys in the shop. Brought boat in on Friday fixed and back in the water on Tuesday. Thats amazing with everything that's happening for them getting everybody ready for Memorial Day weekend. Wow. It was just upsetting to hear about water pouring out of spark pug holes. It had to of happened at the ramp when I took boat out of water. Yes I power on to trailer. Yes Im careful because wife is standing at winch stand. Ha Don't want to scare her. Yes same ramp at the same marina for past 25 years. Same Loadrite trailer for past 3 boats. Thanks for the comments, I just freaked when I heard the Clank, saw the smoke and I had no idea what "hydro lock" was. And its a Brandie Dandie new R7..Still a mystry .

So they already fixed it under warranty?

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Thanks for the update GF. Great to hear. Although I have to say this is still a mystery to me too. Everything you mentioned in your posts above should not cause a hydro locked engine.

In any event, enjoy your time on the water this Memorial Day weekend.

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Agreed. Happy to hear they came through for you. This thread made is sound like they were questioning/blaming you citing abuse and possibly not going to cover it under warranty.

Power-loading, while not advised at many ramps, should not have caused this either.

Happy boating!

tgrace98 wrote: Wed May 22, 2019 5:45 am So they already fixed it under warranty?

Something sounds fishy. Lets assume they found two cylinders hydrolocked on Friday. That's not an easy every day issue where they just have the parts laying on the shelf. It's also a ton of labor to get to the parts potentially impacted.

Having it torn apart, inspected, new parts ordered and installed and put back together by Tuesday would be amazing.