Prop rattle in idle. Mercruiser 3.0, 1990 Sea Ray Seville Cuddy

[Britner]

Hi there everybody. I did have this posted before but must have been one of the deleted threads. So I am reposting as I am hoping to get a little advice. Sorry if you had replied to my earlier posting, I did not see any replies. Here is what I THINK I have!

14" diameter prop,
19 pitch.
Aluminum.

When in neutral and idle, with muffs on, I hear a rattle from the prop. As soon as I go in to gear, either back or forward the rattle goes. The boat is new to me, yet to hit the water. Everything else seems fine. Starts well, runs smooth etc. I have seen no metallic shavings in the oil.

I have attached pictures also.

Thanks,

Andy.

 

[Chris1956]

That prop appears to have a Mercury part number, however, what happened to the deflector ring that is supposed to be where the prop is shiny. If that got knocked off, who knows what else was damaged.

I recommend you try another prop...a known good one.

 

[MikDee]

There will be a normal light rattle you can hear on the muffs in neutral. It is the meshing of the clutch, & gears, it should go away if you put the drive in Fwd, or Rev.
By the way, that tabbed washer on the prop is a lock washer! Once you tighten the prop nut, you're supposed to bend the tabs back onto the brass piece behind the nut. You do have to line up the some of the tabs to lock onto the brass piece.

 

[jestor68]

Is the prop nut torqued to a minimum of 55 lb ft?

 

[Britner]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. I am going to take it off and replace with a new one. May as well start off on the right foot with this boat.
Andy.