Whing noise from outdrive.

[CaptRon66]

Boat is a 1971 . Engine is a 1974 Mercruiser 165. A pre Alpha "R" drive is bolted up on back. A whining noise coming from the outdrive occurs between 1000 and 1200 rpm and in forward gear only . Does not occur any other rpm range. Tilt or trim does not appear to affect it. The noise does not occur in neatral at any rpm. This is happening with the boat in water . Drive was filled with lube 3 weeks ago and went in the water 2 weeks ago. What is causing this noise? Would low gear lube make noise all the time? I don't see any gear lube or oil in the water outside the boat. So it doesn't appear to be leaking outside the bellows at least. What do you guys think?

 

[CaptRon66]

Re: Whing noise from outdrive.

Oops. i meant to type whining noise in the subject box

 

[Don S]

Re: Whing noise from outdrive.

Is this a noise that just started happening since the oil change? Was it quit (without the whine) before the oil change?
Have you rechecked the gear lube to make sure it's full? That would be my first check. And yes, low gear lube would make noise and damage gears and bearings if they were running dry due to improper filling or leaks.

 

[CaptRon66]

Re: Whing noise from outdrive.

I took the engine & outdrive from my brothers old boat. He had a light 18' boat. It did not make any noise on his old boat. My boat is a heavy 23' if load would make a difference. The gear lube was not checked a second time. The drive was filled in a level stand. I inspected around the seals including the yoke seal for leaks before installing. The whining noise only occurs during a narrow rpm range. I thought lack of gear lube in the top end would cause noise all the time. Not enough experience here on this side to know that.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Whing noise from outdrive.

Is this a noise that just started happening since the oil change? Was it quit (without the whine) before the oil change?
Have you rechecked the gear lube to make sure it's full? That would be my first check. And yes, low gear lube would make noise and damage gears and bearings if they were running dry due to improper filling or leaks.

Take heed to what Don is posting here, that dumb A@@ oversight cost me 1300 green boy's, and i quote


" Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time,
But always enough time to do it again? "

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Whing noise from outdrive.

Not sure on your particular drive, but for my OMC, you fill from a bottom lube hole and check at the top. this is to minimize pockets of air getting trapped and giving a false full reading.

Its definitely possible that you might have trapped a pocket in there when you filled it. I would definitely check the level again to make sure.

 

[CaptRon66]

Re: Whing noise from outdrive.

I checked the gear lube last night. It's good,filled right up to the bottom of the vent hole in the upper case. The lube looked perfect coming out. Green , not milky and not black/burned. No metal particles in it. The gimbal bearing felt smooth and no rust on the u-joints before putting the drive on 3 weeks ago. The gimbal bearing could not be lubed before launching. Transom assembly is a 1971 and their is no grease fitting for it. It did not appear dry to me. The drive was refilled , boat is in the water and the whining noise still occurs between 1000 and 1200 rpm. The noise appears to be coming from outside the boat when I lean over the stern to listen. Could something be going on the lower gear case? It only happens in forward gear.