is this normal?

[Makers Mark]

Have a loud squeal right at start up and goes away after about 30 secs and comes back anytime I trim the prop up or down. No idea what the correlation. I replaced the power steering and alternator belt today, had to start somewhere. I tried turning all the pulleys while I had the belts off and the only one that had a noise was the water pump. So I took it apart and the impeller has a noise to it when it spins. Is this normal or could this be part of my problem. Thanks for any help.

 

[gm280]

No, that water pump is toast. Time to replace it and happy boating...

 

[alldodge]

Could rebuild the pump if you have the tools

 

[vasy]

I you don't have tools, there are a few people on ebay who will rebuild the pump for you at a very reasonable price.

 

[alldodge]

Wait a minute, I just listened to the vid and that squeaking is from the rubber impeller. Remove the impeller and does it still squeak?

 

[Lou C]

To try to pin it down try lubing the impeller with liquid dish soap, if it’s quiet then this may not be the source of the noise. You said it makes noise when you first start and when you hit the trim correct? Both of these pint to the belts/pulleys. When you hit the trim it loads the alternator a bit because the trim pump draws a lot of amps. Are you using a belt tension gauge (v belts) to check the tension or do you have the serp belt with the auto tensioner? These tensioners do wear out. Check pulley alignment as well.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if there is a squeal when you trim up or down, your alternator belt is too loose

 

[GA_Boater]

if there is a squeal when you trim up or down, your alternator belt is too loose

And right after start up, the alternator loads up to recharge the battery. 30 seconds sounds about right if the motor starts easily and the battery was fully charged before starting. That also ties in with trimming, too.

 

[Makers Mark]

Alright thanks guys, and yes it was just the rubber noise of the impeller. I did start it up on the water hose today after I changed the belt yesterday and it still squealed so I'll try to tighten the alternator belt. Thanks for the help.

 

[Bt Doctur]

You really need to read up on impellers and V belts, when dry they all will make that sound. You V belts are getting too narrow and slipping . Try going to a slightly larger width metric belt size so it dosent sit low in the pulley.
Having a belt too tight will destroy the bearings in the other items the belt also turns

On a side note, all the issues on this site, switching to Chrome has given me back the useful features of this site

 

[Lou C]

Agreed I have been using a pulley jack and the OTC belt tension gauge to get the belts tight enough but not too tight. Otherwise you are just guessing. And those SERP belts with the auto tensioners are great when new but eventually need replacement.