Prop Clicks When Spun by Hand *Video*

[Scag]

Went out on the water today, great day, boat ran fine. When I was waching the boat down in the driveway, I notice a clicking noise when I spun the prop by hand. It was louder when I spun it the opposite direction.

Here are the facts:

1. Boat is in neutral
2. Lower Drive was recently worked on by a certified shop...brand new prop shaft, seals, bearings, prop.
3. Boat seemed to run fine on the water, however I was not listening for a clicking noise. There were no significant vibrations when driving the boat.
4. Drive is a alpha1 gen II. Motor is 4.3L

I've included this video to better illustrate what is going on. Might have to turn up the volume.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzStXttUIc4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[Scag]

Re: Prop Clicks When Spun by Hand *Video*

I will be taking the prop off tomorrow afternoon...I figure I can narrow down the problem by spinning the prop shaft by hand and seeing if the clicking noise is still there.

 

[jopes]

Re: Prop Clicks When Spun by Hand *Video*

If I was to guess it sounds like the shift cable is out of adjustment, but I will let some one else confirm it.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Prop Clicks When Spun by Hand *Video*

Did the "certified" shop water test your boat? This repair just cost you hundreds of dollars! And you are going to find out why yourself? Take it back. You have no idea what your looking for or what to do about it!
Totally unacceptable!

 

[Scag]

Re: Prop Clicks When Spun by Hand *Video*

Did the "certified" shop water test your boat? This repair just cost you hundreds of dollars! And you are going to find out why yourself? Take it back. You have no idea what your looking for or what to do about it!
Totally unacceptable!

The shop isn't open Sunday at 7:30 pm, so I thought I'd ask here first. I trust you guys more than I trust the shop, so if someone here knew exactly what the problem was (I understand that can be a long shot), I'd like to know before I bring it back to the shop and they try to make up some bogus explanation as to what it is and how much they are going to charge me for the "un-related" problem. I educate myself before walking through the door...otherwise its "grab your ankles."

I wont be able to bring it in tomorrow, Tuesday will be the earliest it can get there. If this is something I can fix by putting a spacer in or flipping a bolt, I'd rather do that than bring the boat all the way across town and let strangers put their hands all over it again (which by the way, cost me nothing the first time as insurance wrote the check).

 

[Pete104]

Re: Prop Clicks When Spun by Hand *Video*

Let's not flip bolts or get spacy where we don't have to! Have added or checked your gearlube monitor?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Prop Clicks When Spun by Hand *Video*

Here are the facts:

1. Boat is in neutral
2. Lower Drive was recently worked on by a certified shop...brand new prop shaft, seals, bearings, prop.
3. Boat seemed to run fine on the water, however I was not listening for a clicking noise. There were no significant vibrations when driving the boat.
4. Drive is a alpha1 gen II. Motor is 4.3L

What's wrong with it???? Probably nothing. The prop is supposed to spin freely in both directions in neutral, a little clicking is not unusual. Do this: Engine off, Push the throttle all the way forward, try to spin the prop counterclockwise, should lock, spin clockwise and should be free (may click), Neutral we know how that is and it is OK, shift to reverse, and the prop should spin freely (with clicking) counterclockwise and lock clockwise. If that checks out you are OK. After you do that check with your shop, and they should tell you the same thing. Good luck.

p.s. you won't hear any clicking when running on the water because the gears are engaged and turning the prop, nothing to click.

 

[reddogg]

Re: Prop Clicks When Spun by Hand *Video*

Sounds like your clutch isn't adjusted right. When in neutral the prop should spin freely without the noise or as much as you have. Taking the prop off wont make the noise go away either. It needs a bit of adjustment, lookn at the cables that connect your throttle/shifter to the motor. They will have little wheels on them, turning the wheels is how it's adjusted on most motors. Find the one that operates the shift lever and mark the spot it's in now, than adjust it forwards or back as needed and spin the prop to see if that takes out some of the clicking. If it dosen't, return it to the previously marked spot. Keep an eye on how your doing it as the throttle and shifter have to work together so make sure you still have full travel with both of them after your done.

red

 

[Scag]

Re: Prop Clicks When Spun by Hand *Video*

PROBLEM SOLVED!

Once I got back in the boat this afternoon, I looked closer and noticed that the throttle was slightly in gear. Not sure how that happened as the boat was idling in neutral when I put it on the trailer. Is it possible it bumped into gear when on the trailer on the ride home? Should it be that easy for it to slip into gear or could that be a red flag that something is out of adjustment?

I appreciate all the responses and the hypothesis. The throttle should have been the first thing I checked, so I hope by posting this, someone with a similar issue will benefit from this experience.