Can You Repair A Cracked Block In A Volvo Penta Marine Engine?

When a Volvo Penta marine engine has been poorly winterized, you may find that it’s block develops small cracks. This does not mean that you have to invest in a new engine, however, as there are a number of ways that you can repair a cracked block. Not only will this help to extend the life of your engine, it will actually help you to lower maintenance and replacement costs.

Step 1: Begin by drilling holes into the engine casing in a line along the crack; the holes should be drilled into both sides of the crack with a drill piece of an eight of an inch. Then, drill smaller holes between these large ones to make slots.

Step 2: Visit your local Volvo Penta engine dealer and purchase a metal stitching kit; the locks should be made of steel with a high nickel content to ensure that they are strong enough. Fit the locks into the slots you drilled and tap into place.

Step 3: Finish by drilling holes between each of the locks, along the length of the crack. Then, slide the taps from the stitching kit into the holes and tap them into place. Insert the screws, then grind the surface to level it off.

If your Volvo Penta engine was developed extensive cracks, it may be possible to cut out the damaged area and replace it with a metal patch that you can adhere to the block using the metal stitching kit. When fixing your boat’s block, never attempt to weld it, as this can actually aggravate the damage and cause it to worsen over time.