Volvo Penta 7.4Gi Overheating

1999 Volvo Penta 7.4 Gi in my Chaparral Sunesta 252 starts overheating. Living in the "boondocks" it's a 2-3 hour drive to a real city so I do much of my own maintenance and repairs on almost everything, including my boat. I went through months of trying to fix the overheating issue with lots of professional input and parts but with no success. With the age of my boat, so many parts have become obsolete, I have grown accustomed to ordering after-market parts with very good success, but not in this case.
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[@kiwimike3940]

Well, I remember the day I was sitting on our old Sea Ray and I said to my wife, Look at that guy. He has'nt even moved off his boat and was quite content just sitting there. I'm going to go over and talk to him. Come aboard he said. We struck up a great conversation and when I finished my beer, I said ,where can I put the empty can. He showed me the cool trash can and straight away I said I want one of these boats. Eric. You and I have been good friends ever since and I have no regrets in buying our Chaparral. We had it for 13 years and our family couldn't have made a better choice thanks to you. You are such a smart person. There is nothing that you can not do. I take my hat off to you sir. Miss you and your family. Kiwi.

[@arizonaeric9598]

Thank you for that wonderful memory of our first meet on the lake and the compliments! We loved hanging out with you and your family. Miss you too. Come visit while we can still launch and my boat is running LOL!

[@benduckx9367]

Those types of problems are gut-wrenching, no pun intended. You could have gone on forever had it not been for your friend. It sounds as if the "design" of an original OEM water pump was the culprit. I am taken aback why you parted the old one and it didn't repair the problem. In any event, why isn't this peculiar and odd problem documented by the professional boat mechanics? Very odd problem, indeed. I am 74 and have had 5 different boats, me current and last one is a 21' bayliner. I live in Pasadena and have been to every lake over the years. Also I have been to Long Beach and Santa Barbara, and even gone to Catalina. However, with that said, our favorite all time spot? Lake Mead! We have explored it greatly, having gone from Boulder, up north to Temple Bar on a few occasions. Hard not to explore Mead when the water was up, but these days it's been iffy. Thanks for your fine video and WARNING. If and when the temp rises, I will immediately think of you! May safety follow you and your family(s) always. Fellow boater, Neb.

[@arizonaeric9598]

Thanks for sharing your story. Yes, odd that even boat mechanics use the aftermarket pumps found on ebay with googd success and no one even mentioned OEM. One guy said the pump was originally designed for the smaller 5.7 but Volvo decided to put it on the 7.4 knowing it would be marginal. However, my problem was not marginal. There was no water at all.

[@williamstaton7946]

Well spoken my friend....