Blown Motor VP 380

[AsLan7]

Here is R5. It ended up selling to a close very of mine. Definitely one of the coolest boats out there.

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You got that right. Wow. A real beauty with that Merc blue beast in there coupled to a duo-prop. Loce it.

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[Ytmsn]

Okay, an all black R5 with a blue motor, and now an A36 with twins? Gordon you just won a cool kid star by your name!

Its fall, so if you're gonna blow a motor and be down this would be the time to do it. I agree with everyone else, this is a freak deal. You had a spring or retainer or some little something fail and cause catastrophic damage, but they'll have you back out soon.

The question is.. a new crate motor of one that's rebuilt? Personally I'd go for a new motor if I had that kind of a boat with that much coin involved. I wouldn't want a refurbed motor sitting there that I'm always wondering about.

[Lockey14s]

Okay, an all black R5 with a blue motor, and now an A36 with twins? Gordon you just won a cool kid star by your name!

Its fall, so if you're gonna blow a motor and be down this would be the time to do it. I agree with everyone else, this is a freak deal. You had a spring or retainer or some little something fail and cause catastrophic damage, but they'll have you back out soon.

The question is.. a new crate motor of one that's rebuilt? Personally I'd go for a new motor if I had that kind of a boat with that much coin involved. I wouldn't want a refurbed motor sitting there that I'm always wondering about.

yt they better not put a refurb in there! It better be brand spankin new!

[akorcovelos]

Must have been a Friday afternoon build to fail that quickly.

The R5 is beautiful, I have blue engine envy.

[jgordonwin]

The blue motor was awesome. Turned heads everywhere but I’m happier with the bigger boat. I’ve been told by dealer than my engine will be brand new and is actually being built and will be a 2020 build and will have new software. My engines were 2019 builds and I was told they will have to update the software on the other motor so both are 2020 builds. Any idea whether the software update has any real change or difference?

[Big Block Power]

Software always gets better with each one. Look at Apple updates on your phone. Lol
You won't know the diff. I think they and Malibu owe you the upgrade software to the 430 seeing that's the only diff between the 2 engines. So yes that's what software can do for you.

[BrockA25]

I think we were having our boats built at the same time back in 2016 possibly. When my A25 with the Merc 520 was being test ran at the factory test lake, they were comparing speeds and prop sizes between my A25 and a black R5. I went with the merc racing x- exhaust system, cost me a mph or 2, but its quiet. I love merc obviously, but those volvos are very impressive. My 520 has been trouble free, doesnt use a drop of oil between oil changes, but I did blow my XR drive apart at 20hrs, just cruising around 30mph...so major issues can happen to any brand really. I hate to admit it, but those volvos are pretty bullet proof, must be just one of those freek failures..hope they fix it quick for..good luck.

[jgordonwin]

Yea most likely since I believe my R5 was one of the few built with that motor and cannot they were all black. The 520 and the XR drive I had had no issues. I thought about the mercury xhaust system but decided against it because I didn’t want to kill the sound permanently since it sounds soooooo good. Instead I did an aftermarket switchable muffler system that had switchable baffles in the exhaust operated by an air compressor. It worked but didn’t make a huge difference in quieting it down. Obviously the VP motors don’t sound anything close but they have some features that are game changers like the EZ drain system. I would boated year round if that system was on the merc. The rumble of the 520 though with through hull exhaust was epic. Sometimes you do wish it had a mute button though.

[liquid]

That R5 is something.

[BrockA25]

My A25 was also one of very few with that motor, not sure if they would let me do it again now Malibu owns them. The Cobalt I had before this one had the 8.2 430hp merc, with captains call. I really do miss that feature and loved it. It fits every mood you are in that day, loud and obnoxious, or a quiet cruise...lol. I boat with a bunch of Regals, and they all have Volvos in them and love them. That has just got too suck, having one blow up like that. When my drive broke, I was down and missed 4 weeks of boating. Most dealers in my area operate like turtles, and seem to do everthing in slow motion, hopefully the dealer you have is a good one.

[Mitch22]

If it made holes both sides of block it is usually a rod wanting to come out and say hi! lol Dropped a valve no doubt and smashed the piston, then broke the rod off but crank was still turning...been there done that, albeit never in a boat.

That R5 may very well be the best thing I've ever seen! My black 222 with a 6.2 is purdy but man oh man the R5 is sweet!

[Cctvdc]

Yes,
Our Cobalt dealer was taking out a brand new R7 with a Volvo 380 to commission it for delivery and it let go. The dealer did the right thing and pulled the motor out of a new Cobalt and installed it in the sold R7 and sent bad motor back to Volvo. Our dealer always goes above and beyond great service !

[Big Block Power]

Yes,
Our Cobalt dealer was taking out a brand new R7 with a Volvo 380 to commission it for delivery and it let go. The dealer did the right thing and pulled the motor out of a new Cobalt and installed it in the sold R7 and sent bad motor back to Volvo. Our dealer always goes above and beyond great service !

Was that your r7 that the engine let go on?

[Cctvdc]

No thankfully but a new purchase for someone.