How To Check The Oil In Your Volvo Penta Engine

If your vessel has been fitted with a genuine Volvo Penta engine, it is recommended that you check its oil levels every single time you are about to put it into the water. This is to prevent damage from occurring due to the engine containing too much or too little oil. It really isn’t too difficult to check the oil levels and will take you all of 30 seconds.

Step 1: Take your torque screwdriver and unscrew the dipstick on the top of your engine. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean on a lint-free cloth, and re-insert it into the oil tank (make sure that it goes in as far as it can go).

Step 2: Remove the dipstick again and inspect the flat part near the bottom; the oil level, to be considered normal, should fall somewhere on this flat part.

Step 3: If the level does not reach the flat part of your dipstick, you will need to add more (in small amounts) to the engine. Make sure that you re-check the levels after each pour.

Step 4: Screw the dipstick back into the top of your engine, making sure that you secure it with the torque screwdriver. Your vessel is now ready to embark on your next water adventure.

When checking the oil levels of your Volvo Penta engine, it is also a good idea to inspect the colouring of the oil in your tank. It should be amber – if it appears milky, this means that water has found its way into the tank and you will need to take the engine to your local dealer to rectify the problem.

How to Install Water Pumps in Volvo Penta Marine Engines

Raw water pumps are sometimes removed from Volvo Penta marine engines in order to get to other parts to fix damage or customize the machine. Removing the pump is usually an easy job as it is often just a matter of removing some bolts and a gasket from the main body of the machine. Installing the pump, however, can be a different matter altogether, especially if you lose track of how the machine was initially constructed. Installing your water pump correctly is essential to maintaining a cool and well primed motor.

Before installing a water pump on your machine you should make sure that it is in top condition and has been cleaned thoroughly, so there are no oil marks or lingering signs of corrosion. The next step  for installing a water pump on your boat motor is to collect the parts and tools of the right type and size for the project. By using the correct size of hosing, for example, you can easily avoid long term corrosion and wear and tear to the pump and machinery.

When you are ready to install the water pump on your outboard motor, you can start by removing the bolts from the bottom of the motor housing. Most models of outboard motor will have three to four bolts around the perimeter of the water-proof housing. After removing the bolts you should be able to easily slide the housing of the marine engine apart to be able to access the electrical wiring and the impeller in the drive-shaft.

Tips for Successful Second Hand Boat Inspections

When conducting a second hand boat inspection, you will need to check the vessel's overall condition, locate any potential hazards, and inform yourself of any other pertinent safety or operating aspects of the vessel. Making a judgement based on these aspects will lead to your choice of whether to purchase the vessel or not and will guide how you repair or recondition the vessel before use in the water.

Spars
Check with the owner or seller of the vessel you are considering when the spar was last replaced. It should be within the last twenty years for maximum safety. Check the spar for problems, particularly at the deck area where it is subject to the most fatigue and erosion during use.

Bulkhead Tabbing
It is very important to check the bulkhead tabbing on your potential vessel thoroughly so as to establish how watertight the vessel is. In your boat inspection you should look out for any damage to the tabbing, or fibreglass tape, such as gelcoat cracking, peeling or loosening.

Interior
If the vessel you are considering has a furnished interior or any sort of sheltered and protected section, you should examine the inside carefully for comfort, safety and damage. Pay particular attention in your boat inspection to ventilation vents, heaters, tanks, detectors and any mandatory equipment.

Sails
If you are considering a vessel that uses wind power, you will need to either understand rigging and sail fittings already, or hire a trustworthy marine surveyor to aid you. To assess the condition of the vessel you will need to check the mast, step, shrouds, stays, terminal fittings, as well as the operation of the winches.