'05 320 with penta 5.0 OSi

[JohnDiStefano]

Trying to put together a deal on an '05 320 with Volvo Penta 5.0l OSi duoprop.  Nicely equipped boat with a bow thruster.  The motors have 160 hours on them.   Here is my concern.  Seller is a large dealer here in the Jersey shore area.  sprang on me that the cylinder heads will be replaced by them prior to closing, the compression was a bit low on one engine, but they will replace both heads.

OK, but now I am thinking, what caused the need to replace the heads?  Overheating for some reason correct? what else could it be? And why did it occur? and was that reason addressed? 

I am now wanting the dealership to of course disclose all this info, make repairs and sea trial the boat to test engines under a load. 

Is this unreasonable? what else should I be concerned about if anything?  Engine life expectancy? etc.

Thanks in advance.  really like the boat and this forum!!

John in Jersey

[alswagg]

Odd, very odd.  Cylinder heads just don't go bad. There is a reason, usually a bad reason.  Be very cautous.  Al

[JohnDiStefano]

BTW. It does have the XDP Outdrives

[Capt Ron]

Personally, I would not buy that boat for two reasons: It has Volvo Penta Drives and the engines were worked on by someone you don't know. Any engine with only 160 hrs on it needs new heads 

They were either overheated or water locked. The fact that there are still issues with the engines would even make me more suspicious. Maybe there is a cracked block from an overheating issue. Sorry to come off a little negative, however, boats that are lemons are no fun and very expensive to fix. Run away mate.

[JohnDiStefano]

Thanks so far for your input. Trying to learn as much as possible to make an informed decision. If there is someone out there who wouldn't mind discussing the whole XDP situation, please call me at908 468 0102. Thanks

[frodo13056]

I'd skip on this boat - no, actually, I'd run like hell away from this boat.  160 hours and low compression / engine problems? Low cylinder compression occurs due to:
1) Piston rings are worn or broken - very expensive to fix.
2) Cylinders are not round (if the piston cylinders are not round - like egg shaped - then the rings will not seal correctly resulting in blow by which results in gas in the oil, over pressurization of the crank case, low compression, etc.
3) Bad head valves / springs / valve seats, etc. Replacing the heads / valve assemblies may take care of the problem but I doubt it.
4) It's doubtful but it is possible that the engine may have a blown head gasket and is allowing blow by to an adjacent cylinder. That would be an indication of an overheated engine and if it is a head gasket problem then you could also have a warped block, etc.

There is NO WAY that an engine with 160 hours should have any of the above issues unless there were manufacturing defects, severe abuse, hydro lock or something worse.

If you've done any research on the XDP drives, you know that you are looking at lots of very expensive problems and at least $15K to replace those drives / transom shields. Just do a search on this forum, or ANY boating forum (Chaparral, Sea Ray, BoatUS, the list is endless) for Volvo XDP Drive issues and you'll get a feel for what you are looking at.

[Dream 'Inn]

I would go along with others on this one.  Don't get attached to it.  There are waaayyyy too many good ones out there at a really great price to bother with that one.  Seriously, you don't want to have issues while you are supposed to be trying to have fun on the boat.  Take it from someone that went thru two engines on their first boat purchase.

BTW, the 320 (pretty much the same as the 310) is a fantastic boat.  You will be very happy with the style boat for about anything you want to do.  We've thought very hard about moving up but just can't justify a reason to do because we love the 310 so much!

[osead]

John,  Just search this incredible site for XDP and read on.

Stay away from the XDP drive not even thinking about the heads.  Just my humble 2 cents. BTW, i have the same single engine config in a 27 and no compression problems with about the same hrs. 

Good Luck!

Who's the dealer?

[Lifes Good]

John, per our conversation. You are welcome to call back or email me anytime to discuss your findings and next steps.

Life's Good.

[JohnDiStefano]

John,  Just search this incredible site for XDP and read on.

Stay away from the XDP drive not even thinking about the heads.  Just my humble 2 cents. BTW, i have the same single engine config in a 27 and no compression problems with about the same hrs. 

Good Luck!

Who's the dealer?

MarineMax

[osead]

Hi John,

I went to them to buy mine but found them expensive and went down the road to D&R in Green brook, off Rt 22  I have the same engine combo and the Volvo extended warranty which I found to be not worth the money.

No matter what, I'd get it surveyed and the guy I used was pretty good and came highly recommended.  The owner of the Marina where I dock was so pissed by his honesty, he wants to keep him away since he blew a deal for him when he was selling on of his boats.  His name is Bob Duane.

Also, see what version of bellows is on it if you can.  So far V3 seems to be holding up.

E-mail me if you want any info.

Good Luck!

[maireII]

NO, NO NO, DO NOT BUY THIS BOAT.  Please wallk away from this.  We know all about this boat.  Dealer even made a video on this boat correct?  They were giving us a deal that was "too good to be true"  and it was after we had it inspected. The list was endless, but even without the drive issue, did they "fix" the crack straight across the transom.  We figured they would before they showed it to anyone. Don't waste any more time or money on this.

[JohnDiStefano]

Thanks to all who replied!  You've saved me  thousands already!!  This forum is truly fantastic!!

The search continues

[Gene]

John I know you from somewhere, you have a very familiar name.

[JohnDiStefano]

Not sure Gene.  Do you work for continental?