Craig O, did you ever get this figured out? It sounds like a fuel issue to me (too lean) When engine is cold, it is going to choke the engine, giving it less air (more fuel) and RPM will jump a bit. It's already higher on the RPM band, and will be quicker to respond when given more throttle. I don't know that engine, and assume it's new enough that a computer is controlling fuel delivery, so maybe look for a vacuum leak somewhere. Could even been a brittle hose causing a vacuum leak, which in turn would be a lean situation. The IAC and computer can only do soo much to clean that up, so if you ..read more

Good piece of advice, billk2632. I had the alarm save me last summer. Boat full of people, loaded and pulling away from the dock. Alarm went off, and it said it was for high temperature (wasn't much above 180*). Shut her down ASAP, and found I needed a new impeller (only 20 hours on the previous, per dealer). As much as I don't like the warning beeps, pay attention to any sounds or beep that isn't normal, and it just may save you hundreds/thousands of dollars. I've had this EXACT experience too. Love that the Volvo impellers are easily replaced at the dock - ask me how I know. And ask me wh ..read more

I've used Royal Purple in the Cobalt for the past 2 seasons, and will be this year as well. This is mainly bases on their reputation in the racing world, where prolonged higher RPM's are normal. Statistics: Posted by NautiWeasel — Tue May 07, 2024 4:47 pm ..read more

Good piece of advice, billk2632. I had the alarm save me last summer. Boat full of people, loaded and pulling away from the dock. Alarm went off, and it said it was for high temperature (wasn't much above 180*). Shut her down ASAP, and found I needed a new impeller (only 20 hours on the previous, per dealer). As much as I don't like the warning beeps, pay attention to any sounds or beep that isn't normal, and it just may save you hundreds/thousands of dollars. Statistics: Posted by NautiWeasel — Tue May 07, 2024 4:42 pm ..read more

This might have already been addressed, but I could not find a thread on it. I have a 2014 VP-300 that has a flush attachment inside the engine compartment (newer engines have one at the outdrive AND I think in the engine compartment). I knew that you want to be sure not to forget to put the cap on after using it, as it will cause the water pump to suck air -- well the other day I ran the engine on a wash rack using the flush attachment and forgot to put the cap back on. Went to take the boat out later and as I was idle away from the dock heard a strange squealing noise. Opened the engine hatc ..read more

I have had very good luck, if you know the actual Volvo Penta part number, in sourcing parts off of Amazon. One great thing there, is being able to get parts fast if needed. There are many sellers on Amazon, so you can compare prices of genuine Volvo parts with several different sellers. +1 I put all parts numbers on the 'Notes" on my cell phone. Makes it easy to buy elsewhere. Statistics: Posted by Krob1114 — Mon May 06, 2024 12:41 am ..read more

This was sort of a known issue for a while - the official service documents from Volvo said 8.5 or 9 quarts, but the engine only took 6.5. You're right and the "official" answer is wrong. Statistics: Posted by jhnmdahl — Sat May 04, 2024 3:30 pm ..read more

I just changed the oil in my 8.1 today. I extracted just over 6 quarts. The remaining was in the oil filter. When I refilled with the new oil, it took 6.5 quarts to get it to the top of the safe line on the dip stick. Statistics: Posted by RWM250 — Fri May 03, 2024 11:08 pm ..read more

10W-40 is kind of a weird viscosity. You can find it in the high mileage oils bit not in regular synthetic. I would just use the Volvo at $43/gallon. Rumor is that Volvo Penta's 10W-40 is relabeled Amsoil, which has quite a good reputation. This was apparently an actual Volvo product photo from several years back VolvosyntheticoilwithAmzoillogo.jpg Statistics: Posted by jhnmdahl — Thu May 02, 2024 9:35 pm ..read more

What viscosity oil does the manual suggest using? I would be surprised if it was 10W30 but I don't know what Volvo recommends these days. It's their own 10W-40 synthetic. Recommendation if that's not available is to use that or higher (i.e., no 5W-40, 10W-30, etc.), but also specifying that it be NMMA FC-W Catalyst Compatible. I've been using Mobil 1 15W-50 in the cheap jugs from Wal-Mart, but to each their own. If that wasn't available, I'd likely consider something like Shell Rotella T6 in 15W-40 due to the consistent heavy loads marine engines pull. 10W-40 is kind of a weird viscosity ..read more