Noise from outdrive

[natsgrampy]

89 Mercruiser 3.0, drive serial no. is OC563695.

While out on the Sound the other day, it began making a loud "rapping" noise from the outdrive.

The noise was present at idle and while underway. I headed back to the ramp. When I took it out of gear, it clunked

as though it was attempting to engage into gear. When I put it in gear it didn't clunk just rapping.

I have drained the gear oil, It appears it is all there from when I put it in this past spring.

I will be pulling the drive off tomorrow, Any thoughts what I will be looking for?

Does this sound like a U - joint issue?

The gear oil looks like this:

 

[achris]

Re: Noise from outdrive

Noises are the most difficult to diagnose 'over the phone'. We can't hear what you hear, and your interpretation of one noise might be different to mine...

ok... With that caveat... Pull the drive, check the unis and the gimbal bearing. If they check out ok, then start the engine (with the drive still off) and confirm the noise is gone. If it is, then I would pull the top cover off the drive and have a look see in there....

If there's nothing obvious, it's time to start pulling the drive apart and looking at bearings, gears and dogs... Probably beyond the realm of the home handyman.. That would leave you 2 options. Take it to a shop, or just buy a new drive, something like an SEI...

Chris.........

 

[thumpar]

Re: Noise from outdrive

What he said. Hopefully it is gimbal bearing or u-joints.

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: Noise from outdrive

Can I, and how would I run motor with drive off?

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: Noise from outdrive

It's definitely more than a "tapping" in the motor. I had a Chrysler LeBaron that tapped/ ticked like you read about.

Will pull the drive and check further.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Noise from outdrive

Pull the drive off and put the hose in the water inlet at the bellhousing.

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: Noise from outdrive

Will check it out tomorrow, thanks

 

[achris]

Re: Noise from outdrive

Pull the drive off and put the hose in the water inlet at the bellhousing.

Yep, and I throw a cable tie or a bit of rope 'round the hose to stop it falling out...

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: Noise from outdrive



OK the drive is off and inside the bellows was a crapload of sludge.

This is probably my issue.

Should I still check for noise in motor, or, does this look like the real problem?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Noise from outdrive

You need to find out what is leaking. Looks like water from the pic. Check the u-joint bellows for cracks. It is hard to tell but it looks like the u-joints are rusty. Put your hand in the bellows and rotate the gimbal bearing to see if it is smooth. It should turn with no grittyness at all.

 

[SirSmegalot]

Re: Noise from outdrive

God I hate rapping, its all noise to me

Sorry couldnt resist it

 

[achris]

Re: Noise from outdrive

The sludge is an oil and water emulsion. You have (at least) 2 problems. Water getting into the bellows, and oil getting into the bellows. The oil is the easy one, only one place it can come from, the seal in the front of the drive. The water source needs to be found and fixed also, probably a perforated bellows, but not always.

What's gone with the sludge? Personally, I'd be replacing the gimbal bearing, and checking the unis VERY closely. Hit them up with a grease gun and see how much water comes out. You're in Connecticut, so that water's salt, right? Any water in the unis and I'd be replacing them.

Chris...........

 

[achris]

Re: Noise from outdrive

God I hate rapping, its all noise to me

Sorry couldnt resist it

Ohhhhh, ya got the spelling wrong :facepalm:... It's not 'rapp', it's 'crapp'... :laugh:

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: Noise from outdrive

Yeah salt water! The bellows is new last season, It looks like there is a big O -ring the drive slides into that is cracked.



I stuck my hand around and can't seem to find any loose spots in the bellows.

The Gimbal bearing spins freely.

I cleaned up the U -joint and it is rusty



Is it doomed?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Noise from outdrive

Was adhesive used on the bellows when installed?

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: Noise from outdrive

yes

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: Noise from outdrive

What's gone with the sludge? Personally, I'd be replacing the gimbal bearing, and checking the unis VERY closely. Hit them up with a grease gun and see how much water comes out. You're in Connecticut, so that water's salt, right? Any water in the unis and I'd be replacing them.

Chris...........

I hit the u - joint with some grease and the only thing coming out was grease, first black then blue. No water,

Would that cracked O -ring allow water into the bellows?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Noise from outdrive

Yeah salt water! The bellows is new last season, It looks like there is a big O -ring the drive slides into that is cracked.

View attachment 209656

I stuck my hand around and can't seem to find any loose spots in the bellows.

The Gimbal bearing spins freely.

I cleaned up the U -joint and it is rusty

View attachment 209659

Is it doomed?

Ayuh,..... Get a New lockin' ring, 'n a can of Power Tune from yer local Merc Dealer,...

Clean everything up nice 'n clean, especially where the lockin' ring goes,...
Spray the Power Tune where the ring goes, set it, 'n push it in with yer fingers, 'n hold it there, maybe 10/ 20 seconds,...
It should be Good to go,...

For the rusty u-joints, grease 'em up, 'n spray their outsides with Fluid film,....

 

[achris]

Re: Noise from outdrive

Ayuh,..... Get a New lockin' ring, 'n a can of Power Tune from yer local Merc Dealer,...

Errrrr,

It's an Alpha One, not a Gen II... Has a hose clamp at both ends...

Broken rubber ring will only allow water in if it's getting in passed the gasket too.... Running your hand around inside is not enough. You need to turn the steering full port and examine the starboard side CLOSELY... Get in there and pull and push the bellows, hard, from both inside and out. Then do the port side with the steering full starboard.

Chris......

 

[Bondo]

Re: Noise from outdrive

Errrrr,

It's an Alpha One, not a Gen II... Has a hose clamp at both ends...

Broken rubber ring will only allow water in if it's getting in passed the gasket too.... Running your hand around inside is not enough. You need to turn the steering full port and examine the starboard side CLOSELY... Get in there and pull and push the bellows, hard, from both inside and out. Then do the port side with the steering full starboard.

Chris......

Ooops,... That's what I get for not readin' All the thread,...

Please disregard the above,.... :facepalm: