"Tijereta"/w Volvo TAMD40B outdrive overheats high speed

[Guatemala Dave]

If you've been onboard you know that my partner, Dennis Wheeler and I sent a 25' Carver outdrive with a 165 hp Volvo TAND40B diesel down to Guatemala. Right now we have finished the outfitting and everything is ready to go, with one exception.

At displacement speed everything appears to run perfect. When the speed is advanced to cruise and the boat planes off it overheats rapidly. I had never run the boat personally in New Jersey, but I know the old owner had no problem to plane off and get some speed out of it.

Right now we have a great 10 knot boat but that just won't cut it to get out to the main sailfish grounds of 20 to 30 miles. I know some of boating and fishings greatest minds are reading this post so I am looking for some ideas as to what can be done to allieviate this problem.

Right now I am up in Absecon trying to find 18" fluke so it is Dennis that is down in Guatemala actually doing the hands on work on the boat. I'm sure he has done all the regular checks, new impeller, thermostat and the like. His next move is to scoop more water into the intake, believing that on plane the boat is getting air into the intake.

The water temperature in Guatemala is always over 80 degrees and usually 90+ so I am sure that may have some influence.

Dennis and I would appreciate any information and ideas as how how to fix this problem because we want to get this right and to get all interested anglers on the water in Guatemala

[Questsportfishing]

install the engine new? or was it factory rigged? do you have any transducers or new thru-hulls installed in the way making bubbles? <~~ applies to outdrives.. ~~> applies to hull thru-hulls:... do you need a speed scoop thru-hull? Do you need more water than what your thru-hull can deliver? are your coolers blocked or thermostat going out?

[seapower]

You're right, not enough info. I had a bunch of new factory boats that were shipped from the NW. They ran good up there in the cooler water's of the Pacific. When they got down here to the shallow 90 degree water's of the Albermarle and Pamlico Sound's they'd over heat. We ended up putting 1 1/2" thru-hull's with scoops. Problem solved. If this is a used engine he's talking about, then other factor's come into play (as you've pointed out). Frank

[Guatemala Dave]

It is used and we do have a good mechanic working with us. right now we are going for the scoop idea. I'm not sure how far they have looked into the actual exchanger, but this cooling does seem to be a weak link with these motors from the feedback I am getting.

Unfortunately the weather has been terrible down there the last couple months and the green water is out to 40 miles so it is a good time to get the bugs out.

[seapower]

Poking a hole in the bottom of the boat would considered ONLY after the correct trouble shooting is done. Make sure all of your cooling component's are as they should be (don't assume anything). If you've got worn part's, corroded water inlet or heat exchanger, too much prop, etc... You'll be putting a hole in the bottom for nothing, it'll still over heat. I would certainly make sure there are no other issue's first. Most of the time it is something simple, you just have to find it. Frank

[Guatemala Dave]

The intake is thru the hull so even if it is a bit bigger diameter it is not a new hole.

[seapower]

OK. Still stand on what was said about the troubleshooting. Good luck, Frank

[Questsportfishing]

with you mechanic there.. run the engine idle for a bit just poking around and then feel the water pump plate and see the water that comes out the exust by hand it should not be that hot and should flow out the exust in a good stream at just above idle. check that there are no excessive bends in hoses on the water jackets in the cooling lines also or there are no crazy bends or check valves (a 3208 cat we fished on last month had a feakin' check valve because of a crazy mechanic..") check the size thru-hull needed by the engine dealer also.. one of the boats I run is a 2006 rampage that we did install new sea water raw intake thru-hulls on and put the sendure sea plates on her and temps went from 211-214 to 198-203 makes a big difference.. and there is not hardly ANY production run boats being built anymore that a pencil pusher with all the "COSTS" list in front of them that they think about cooling or long engine life other than cost.. PS: you may not think this makes a difference but make sure you also have enough air intake for the boat to breath right also.. you will get it figured out.. did you change the wheel also?

[Squidnation]

Good Info. On another note are you having any trouble finding volvo parts down there. My plan is to take my boat next year but I am concerned about finding Volvo Parts. I have 41p's duoprop outdrives.

[Guatemala Dave]

Dennis says the local top mechanic, Ziggy likes volvos and he is in the US right now so he will be bringing gaskets back to clean and check out the exchanger.

Squidnation,
As far as parts availability, I'm not sure what is actually on hand in country, but trucking is big buisness and all the diesel companies have huge centers in the city. If needed shipping is much easier since the Central American Trade Agreement, It can just get a little expensive. There should be plenty of bodies going back and forth so if it can go in the luggage there should be volunteers. I've already sent a few parts to visitors to carry down.

Hoepfully a few months down the road the boats will be running and the Pacific will be calm as the name says and we be on a hot bite.

Thanks for the info, now i just have to wait for the next news.