Bravo 1 whining noise at 3000 rpm

[boatessex]

Hello Everyone , We recently purchased a 2013 Essex Vortex with a 6.2 liter and Bravo 1 outdrive with 79 hours . At 3000 rpm when underway , there is a whining noise coming from the engine/drive area . We stopped the boat and while in neutral we ran up the rpm to 3000 and didn't hear the whine . The engine actually sounded perfect . We are clueless and were wondering if any of you have ever had this mystery whine issue ? If so , we would greatly appreciate any light you may be able to share with us . Other than that , the boat checked out just fine . Thank you for your time and any possible help .
Safe boating to All !!

Report

 

[alldodge]

Sounds are hard to determine in writing. That said, the Bravo should be fairly quite. Being a new to you boat you should have all the regular maintenance done

Pull drive and change gear lube
Change impeller and inspect raw water pump housing
Check engine alignment
Check gimbal bearing
Replace fuel filter
Change oil
Inspect belts

As far as the whine, it could be the gimbal bearing, the outdrive or U-joints
Someone may have put the wrong lube in the drive, or it may have some water in it

 

[boatessex]

Sounds are hard to determine in writing. That said, the Bravo should be fairly quite. Being a new to you boat you should have all the regular maintenance done

Pull drive and change gear lube
Change impeller and inspect raw water pump housing
Check engine alignment
Check gimbal bearing
Replace fuel filter
Change oil
Inspect belts

As far as the whine, it could be the gimbal bearing, the outdrive or U-joints
Someone may have put the wrong lube in the drive, or it may have some water in it

 

[boatessex]

Thank you for sharing your experience and advice regarding our mystery noise . Last winter we did a few of the normal service maintenance items that you mentioned , engine oil/filter , fuel filter , sea pump impeller , serpentine belt looked great , But , we didn't change the outdrive gear oil or have the outdrive removed , checked out and aligned . We did call a local boat repair shop but we've picked the busiest time of the year for them to make an appointment , 'the mechanic actually said' , "it doesn't sound like anything too serious" . We're not happy with that opinion for obvious reason . Last evening we left a message for the previous boats owner and hopefully he may have a 'history lesson' that he is willing to share and probably confirm what you've already mentioned . Before our next trip we thought we would attempt to grease the gimbal bearing , apparently there's a zerk fitting I missed at the outside , bottom right area of the gimbal housing at the back of the boat . It seems that I would have seen that last winter , but maybe not . Do you think that a few pumps of the correct grease would be ok to try ? Do you know if all Bravo 1 outdrives come with an exterior zerk fitting ? We ask because the boat is stored about 200 miles from our home and doing any maintenance ourselves takes a bit of planning . Again , Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to our whining noise issue . Respectfully , Boatessex

 

[dubs283]

given the boat is a 2013 vintage there's the possibility the gimbal housing does not have a grease zirk for the gimbal bearing. this is right around the time mercury went to the "permalube" style gimbal bearing which is non-servicable meaning one cannot add grease to it

that said, seeing as how the drive has never been pulled for service in your presence of ownership that would be the next course of action along with draining and inspecting the gear lube and replacing it with high perf

 

[alldodge]

If anything else, remove the prop and behind the prop will be the drain fitting. Loosen the plug with a large screw driver real slow. All you want to do right now is remove it enough to let a little lube out. If its nice greenish lube then the lube and no water, or other color your probably ok. It still should be changed, but it could be one thing which is easy to check without getting in to deep.

Agree, no grease fitting on one that new

 

[boatessex]

If anything else, remove the prop and behind the prop will be the drain fitting. Loosen the plug with a large screw driver real slow. All you want to do right now is remove it enough to let a little lube out. If its nice greenish lube then the lube and no water, or other color your probably ok. It still should be changed, but it could be one thing which is easy to check without getting in to deep.

Agree, no grease fitting on one that new

Thank you both for the advice and it was perfect timing ! We just cancelled our order for the special gimbal grease , but , we left the 90 weight Quicksilver gear oil and the special pump set-up coming our way . Since it's the busy time of the year for the boat repair shops we thought we would drain the lower drive unit thoroughly and install the new mercruise gear oil during our next trip . Hopefully and if we're lucky , that may quiet the drive . Either way we'll post the results of our adventure and possibly the next guy with a whiny Bravo 1 can benefit also . We are delighted that there's guys out there that will take the time to advise and help a perfect stranger !! Thank you again !! p.s. The previous owner never returned my wifes call for historical information . Go figure .

 

[boatessex]

You guys were 100% right ! It was the 90 weight out-drive gear lube !! The original gear lube was very Black but luckily didn't show any signs of water or metal particles ! We sincerely thank you both for the perfect advise and solution to our whiney out-drive ! We have scheduled 9/30/21 with a reputable boat shop to check the alignment of the out-drive plus look everything over for us . Thank You Both !!

 

[1960 Starflite]

I didn't post to your thread, but appreciate anyone who responds with results .

 

[boatessex]

I didn't post to your thread, but appreciate anyone who responds with results .

Whoops , sorry about that ! I'm not sure how that happened .