4.3 mercruiser belt off. Stranded at sea

[E_S_A_D]

Well we are home. But we did have to get towed. No idea what it is, or what kind of issue I’m facing.

Was tubing and ran fine. Went to dinner and came back to boat and noticed once we got on plane the steering felt really tight. I killed the engine and opened the hood to the 96 mercruiser 4.3. The belt was coming off. I couldn’t figure how to get it back on.

To be honest not even sure what belt it is. It’s the larger belt closest to steering wheel and away from stern/ prop

any ideas? Big repair? Serpentine or power steering belt?

 

[harringtondav]

My '96 4.3 has two V belts, no serpentine. One drives the power steering and engine water circulating pump, the other drives the alternator. Both are tensioned or removed by loosing the pivot bolts and the adjusting bolt in the radiused slot in the mounting brackets.

BTW, if this happens again, strong arm the steering wheel. You can steer without power steering. It will take more effort than you're used to.

 

[achris]

Serpentine or power steering belt?

You either have 2 Vee belts OR a single serpentine belt...

1996 was a 'crossover' year. Early '96 was still Gen II engines (not to be confused with Gen II drives) and had 2 Vee belts, one for alternator and one for the steering pump. Late '96 was Gen +, and had a single serpentine belt driving all accessories. Here's where we need a serial number to confirm which it is.






If it's 2 Vee belts, as Dave has already said, you don't NEED power assisted steering to drive...

Chris.......

 

[E_S_A_D]

Thanks guys! It’s definitely one big serpentine belt. Is it a major repair? It started whining and when I went to adjust it it popped off. Couldn’t figure out how to get it back on. It seemed really loose if we did. Got a tow in

 

[E_S_A_D]

I should mention it’s been making a growl noise on turns for a while. I assume I need to get gimbal earring serviced, but this would be independent of belt...

can I fix the belt myself being an engine moron?

 

[achris]

can I fix the belt myself being an engine moron?

Depends on how much of a moron, and what exactly the problem is.

The belt is tightened (and loosened) by the idler on the port side, at the top (adjacent to the drive oil monitor bottle)... You need 2 spanners. One to loosen/tighten the locking nut (5/8" from memory) and a 5/16" to wind the adjuster up and down. I suggest ring spanners for both, or you risk 'rounding' them.

Pull the belt off and check the other pulleys for looseness and alignment, check the idler pulley bearing, and check the condition of the belt.

Where's that serial number?

Chris........

 

[E_S_A_D]

Thanks Chris. I’ll get to the serial# tomorrow. I don’t think I can do this myself. Any guesses what a fair price at the shop would be? Let’s say too if they do a newbelt?
Appreciate the help

 

[achris]

.... Any guesses what a fair price at the shop would be? Let’s say too if they do a new belt?
...

That would depend on what's wrong. And unless the belt is damaged, it shouldn't need replacing. Either way, if you go to your F.L.A.P. shop you can get a brand new belt, EXACTLY the same for about 1/2 the price. Take your old belt with you and they'll match it up....

Chris......

 

[E_S_A_D]

So here's an update. It was the power steering plastic pulley that broke and a new belt.

I also always heard a noise when turning either direction. I figured gimbal bearing. Apparently, the gimbal and ujoints are fine, because I had them look at them. He said he did a service to ujoints and gimbal bearing though... is this just greasing them? Was this a waste of labor or worth doing? The lower unit hasn't been removed since I've owned it in 2015.

Someone said that sound when turning a Mercruiser isn't uncommon and normal. It's not a grind or anything, but just an obvious like change of sound.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you are supposed to be pulling your outdrive every year for the annual service

 

[E_S_A_D]

I haven't been doing that. So what actually is this 'annual service' for the outdrive and since he now serviced it while it was off, what exactly did he likely do? I have it winterized every year and oil changed.

Also, this is the noise that the boat makes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ce04Kq0L5c or kind of like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pHjVodR6fw

 

[nola mike]

He greased the u-joints and gimbal bearing (if they are greaseable), should have checked the alignment...and probably charged you a couple hundred for the 30-45 minutes it took him to do so. Yes, it's worth pulling the outdrive yearly to check the alignment, grease stuff, and generally look for badness before it gets to be worseness. And, really, despite what achris says, any moron can do it.

 

[E_S_A_D]

He greased the u-joints and gimbal bearing (if they are greaseable), should have checked the alignment...and probably charged you a couple hundred for the 30-45 minutes it took him to do so. Yes, it's worth pulling the outdrive yearly to check the alignment, grease stuff, and generally look for badness before it gets to be worseness. And, really, despite what achris says, any moron can do it.

He replaced the power steering pulley and serpentine belt.
Removed lower unit, checked bearings, and 'serviced' as you mentioned.

I think the price was fair.

Total $340.

 

[achris]

..... And, really, despite what achris says, any moron can do it.

Hey! I've always said it wasn't too difficult!

Love the 'badness to worseness'.... :thumb:

He replaced the power steering pulley and serpentine belt.
Removed lower unit, checked bearings, and 'serviced' as you mentioned.

I think the price was fair.

Total $340.

New pulley - $85
New belt - $150
Labour - $105 (probably about 1.5 hours)

So, yes, a fair price.

Chris......

 

[E_S_A_D]

I haven't been doing that. So what actually is this 'annual service' for the outdrive and since he now serviced it while it was off, what exactly did he likely do? I have it winterized every year and oil changed.

Also, this is the noise that the boat makes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ce04Kq0L5c or kind of like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pHjVodR6fw

Hear that sound in the videos? It still does that, but everything was fine. Gimbal great shape and ujoints!