OMC Stringer whine

[superbenk]

I've noticed this on my drive (since I got the boat) and have seen it on other Stringers running on Youtube videos. My outdrive produces a subtle whining noise like gears meshing at high speed. I check the oil every couple of trips and have never had a hint of metal in the lube. In fact, the lube is consistently clean and barely discolored at all. The ball gears are new (as of last year) and show VERY LITTLE wear at all (I never run it tilted & wouldn't). I just got a question on a Youtube video I posted about the whine from another Stringer owner (with an 800) that also noticed the whine wondering if it was normal.

Anyone out there know anything about this? The only thing that comes to mind is either 1) it's normal noise from inside the drive or 2) it's the ball gears that are just naturally noisy since they're exposed & not meshed.

 

[Jessman275]

Re: OMC Stringer whine

hey superbenk,

I was the one that emailed you on the noise. I too noticed metal shavings in the fluid. It makes me suspect that the gears are getting messed up. I took it out the other day and slowly increased the throttle and as the boat increased speed the noise went away. I had someone drive the boat while i listen in the back. Right now im planning for the worse and looking at ball gears and rebuilding the upper unit.

Jesse

 

[superbenk]

Re: OMC Stringer whine

hey superbenk,

I was the one that emailed you on the noise. I too noticed metal shavings in the fluid. It makes me suspect that the gears are getting messed up. I took it out the other day and slowly increased the throttle and as the boat increased speed the noise went away. I had someone drive the boat while i listen in the back. Right now im planning for the worse and looking at ball gears and rebuilding the upper unit.

Jesse

Hey, Jesse. I think you misread, I DO NOT have any hint of metal in my lube or any hint of ball gear wear. At this point I really don't have any good reason for the whine other than just normal noise from the ball gears.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC Stringer whine

my ball gears make a high pitched whine. always have.

 

[superbenk]

Re: OMC Stringer whine

my ball gears make a high pitched whine. always have.

I kind of figured that's what it was. I talked myself out of worrying about it awhile ago since the lube is always clean.

 

[Jessman275]

Re: OMC Stringer whine

Gotcha ! Yeah i am going to take the upper apart and look around. Do you guys know if i have to take the lower off first or can i just remove the exhaust housing and get to it. Im waiting on my manual to come in the mail.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC Stringer whine

remove the drive from the boat. then the cap and upper lift up out of the lower