rattaling noise in alpha 1

[a1999ponyboy]

hey im kinda new here. i just perchased a 1989 raven 21 foot bowrider. it has a mercruser 4.3l with alpha1 outdrve. i got it started the otherday to winterize it and heard a very loud rattling comeing from the upper unit. when we shifted into forward, the rattle slowed as the prop started turning and then stopped as the prop gained speed. is something out of adjustment? when the drive is in forward and reverse i can spin the prop by hand and it makes the same sort of clicking noise. like i said im new to boats and dont know if this is normal?

 

[Don S]

Re: rattaling noise in alpha 1

Time to pull the outdrive and check the ujoints and gimbal bearing. May have water in the bellows.
Drain the gear lube and check for metal in the gear lube and on the magnet.

 

[a1999ponyboy]

Re: rattaling noise in alpha 1

lol that sucks!!!! does anyone have a tep by step on how to remove the outdrive and gimbal housing?

 

[Don S]

Re: rattaling noise in alpha 1

To pull the drive, put the shifter in forward, disconnect the trim rams from the drive, remove the 6 nuts holding it to the bellhousing and pull the drive off.

Here is a link to the OEM service manual for that drive. There is a removal and installation section.
http://www.4shared.com/document/zz_5pj9o/Service_Manual_06.html

You have no reason at this point to pull the "Gimbal Housing"

 

[a1999ponyboy]

Re: rattaling noise in alpha 1

thanks alot. the noise sounds to me like something is not fully ingageing. its only there in neutral, when you shift into forward it stops. when in neutral when you rev the engine it gets louder!

 

[Don S]

Re: rattaling noise in alpha 1

i got it started the otherday to winterize it and heard a very loud rattling comeing from the upper unit.

If it's not going into gear, the noise should be coming from the lower unit where the shift dogs are located.
Disconnect the lower shift cable from the shift plate and see if you can shift the drive by moving the cable.

 

[a1999ponyboy]

Re: rattaling noise in alpha 1

i dont have accses to the boat at the moment as it is in storage. it seams the previous owner remved the oiul drain from the lower unit for some reason. i was wondering if the water impeller in the lower unit might be shot and that is what the rattle is? the wter did not seam to get scuked up all that well from the muffs when in gear and not at all in neutral, is that normal?