Cobaltchat.com

Greetings:
Warning, these pictures may shock.
The boat is the 2020 Cobalt R-5. Engine is 300 HP
Volvo Penta 5.7 L. Originating dealer commissioned
the boat in spring and made a note of a pump replacement
but no specifics.

Catastrophic failure and overheat. Seatow to the rescue and
returned the boat to the lift. If we hit supply chain issues
with the replacement pump, the remainder of boat season
here maybe lost. Dealer "would prefer" I get the boat to his dock
but I am standing firm since the boat is 3.5 mi and on a lift.

And what about residual engine issues from the overtemperature
before I could shut her down and get the tow? Perhaps 265 F.
Note the glycol in the bilge from the boil I suspect.



There you go.....
herbk

Pick. I'm guessing the bearing seized?
That's hot. Hopefully the head gaskets are ok. It's a easy fix but bummer.

.
Ouch. That’s a tough break herb. Possibly an entire engine replacement under warranty depending on damage Keep us posted and hang in there.

Might be quicker to drop a 430 in it!
Too soon

Thanks guys for the reply’s.
Of interest, from my dealer / service dept on spring commissioning 2021:


"4/13 launch and sea trial. exhaust temp hi alarm went off leaving the creek. went back to dock. removed impeller , looked okay but
replaced anyway,. needs a new pump and or bushing that holds the pump from rotating. sent pics to js and evan. checked for active
campaigns and found two for this serial number”

Active campaigns?
Oh…

AsLan 7, hoping this doomsday scenario doesn’t work out.
Fighting city hall in this day and age? Ever put in a legitimate insurance claim and have it scrapped?
Thanks

Odds are good the engine's OK, but obviously the water pump failed in an unusual way. I'm sure once it's sorted out they'll check things like cylinder compression and make sure everything's as it should be, but this is one of those cases where it's good to have a service department that you feel like is on your side.

We were able to source the pump, anti-rotation bracket and replacement belt and the replacement was done yesterday. Water test looked good, temperature, oil pressure, new install; all OK. Will extend the checkouts today but hopeful. Service tech took the failed pump with him for submission to be covered by warranty.
Thanks to all for comments and encouragement.

herbk@comcast.net wrote: Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:36 am We were able to source the pump, anti-rotation bracket and replacement belt and the replacement was done yesterday. Water test looked good, temperature, oil pressure, new install; all OK. Will extend the checkouts today but hopeful. Service tech took the failed pump with him for submission to be covered by warranty.
Thanks to all for comments and encouragement.

Did all go well out on the water?

Yes and No:
There were no engine fault alarms and the boat responded as before including all RPM's, temperatures (161-167) , oil pressures (50 - 62 psi) and
"feel" That is, except for the steering.
I noticed a loss of power steering in one direction initially, but the situation worsened and was noticeable in both
directions when the seas were rougher. I also could "hear" some unusual mechanicals but I could not pinpoint exactly.
I was out for a while but when this situation became quite difficult, I headed back to the lift. Upon inspection
I pulled the short dip stick/cap (color coded brown) on the power steering fluid and the reservoir level is low. The reservoir is
"shared" with the engine coolant/glycol (color coded yellow), so I had assumed the technician checked P.S. as we lost glycol and he refilled
to the correct level. I thought he would have pulled the next door neighbor to check the level was OK.(?)
I can't see any leaking. I am waiting for a response now as to whether I can fill to the proper level, perhaps purge any air
by running the motor, going full left and right several times on the steering and watching for any
air to exhaust at the reservoir. This seems to me the right procedure.(?)
Of course, my analysis is what it is. I am waiting for the technician to weigh in on this.
Thanks

Well, all engine functions seems to be running normally but I have limited or no power steering since this incident.
I topped off with the correct fluid/part number and worked the steering back and forth to dispel any air. Rechecked levels. Steering at slow speeds maybe OK but tough on plane going into or coming out of turns.
No alarms. Not sure what to check on next?

Season ending, hoping not.

I wonder if the seals got damaged from the heat. Sounds like maybe you need a new rack? I'm sure the dealer will get it figured out.

Thanks for the input.
Very possible I suppose. I went over everything I have and I could get off-line to try and figure out more about the steering system. I was thinking there might be an electric component in the chain, but doesn’t appear so. Almost no information in the several manuals downloaded from Volvo Penta website, so there does not appear much can go wrong other than leaks, hoses pinched or fluid level.
Not much I can check. At least, items that I could try and figure out.
Dealer wants me to come in (hang up the Spurs early) which is bitter since we have a month of great weather normally. I can manage the steering for a couple of trips if I knew no further damage (or warranty refuse) would be an issue. He hasn’t come to the plate on that.
I haven’t read the fine print (too small) but it appears five-years warranty on these new motors,
Again, Thanks!

The power steering should have a cooler. So without a cooler the fluid got hot and boiled out it seems. Which in turn may have damaged the rack? Just speculating. Keep the boat and drive it.

The tech has concluded the power steering actuator is bad and needs to be replaced.
They are trying to source one now.

Seems like you were on this from the beginning Big Block Power.

Glad they are working on it for you