Screaching noise in neutral.

[bruce lindemann]

I have a 1984 Bayliner with a Volvo 4 cylinder and a Merc, 170 outdrive. It was idiling fine and all of a sudden it began a loud screaching sound that stops when it's put in gear. (The sound is similar to noise a starter makes when the ignition is turned on while the motor is running.) Could this be a bearing issue? Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

I have a 1984 Bayliner with a Volvo 4 cylinder and a Merc, 170 outdrive.

That, I have to see. What year Volvo 4 cylinder ??????

Was the sound from the front of the engine or the back of the engine? Could be anything at this point. Was the boat in the water when you put it in gear and the noise stopped?
When was the last time the outdrive was off the boat and the bellows checked for water?
Are the belts turning on the front of the motor?

 

[bruce lindemann]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

The motor is 1984 it was rebuilt some time ago. I have had the boat for three months but have logged close to a 100 hours on motor. Other then a full tune up I haven't done much. No record of last time outdrive was off. The sound began on the water, back at home it continued with same symptoms. It sounds like it is near the front of the engine. I did replace starter and solenoid this weekend that didn't fix issue. Read some other posts with similar problem, ignition sticking? Could it really be so simple?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

That, I have to see. What year Volvo 4 cylinder ??????

Ayuh,.... Me too,... Got any Pictures of the motor, 'n drive,..??

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

The front of the engine? I would remove the belts and see if everything turns smooth by hand.

 

[Don S]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

The motor is 1984 it was rebuilt some time ago.

Here's the problem, you can't adapt an 88 or an 84 Volvo engine to a Mercruiser outdrive. Just isn't going to happen.
So, you either have a Volvo outdrive or your engine is other than what you think it is.
With that, trying to figure out what is screaching is almost impossible to diagnose, since what you say you have is impossible to have.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

Here's the problem, you can't adapt an 88 or an 84 Volvo engine to a Mercruiser outdrive. Just isn't going to happen.

I did not know this. My good friend has a Volvo 4 cyl with a merc outdrive (alpha I gen II i think) His is either an '86 or '87. I would assume based on Don S's post that only '84 and '88 couldn't mate to a merc outdrive and not from '84 to '88.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

I have a 1984 Bayliner with a Volvo 4 cylinder and a Merc, 170 outdrive.

Certainly no expert, but I have never heard of a Merc 170 out-drive (1984). Isn't there a Volvo AQ170?

 

[Don S]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

All I can say, is that Volvo never used a GM 4 cylinder engine prior to 1994. All their engines were Volvo blocks. even the inline 6 cyl. engines were Volvo blocks, not GM.
Since Mercruiser never used any Volvo engines, where do you suppose these people with Volvo engines and Merc outdrives came up with Mercruiser flywheel covers (they have the rear motor mounts in them) and the couplers (Volvo engines didn't use couplers. Then there is the problem with the exhaust. Volvo 4 cyl engines have starboard mounted exhaust manifolds, while the Mercruisers had port side exhaust manifolds. Wonder how the exhaust pipe hooked up.
So for all those saying they have a 93 and earlier Volvo 4 cylinder engine mounted to a Merc outdrive, I say post a picture, not just a bunch of typed words about you think or your buddy has or what ever. Show some pictures.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

All I can say, is that Volvo never used a GM 4 cylinder engine prior to 1994. All their engines were Volvo blocks. even the inline 6 cyl. engines were Volvo blocks, not GM.
Since Mercruiser never used any Volvo engines, where do you suppose these people with Volvo engines and Merc outdrives came up with Mercruiser flywheel covers (they have the rear motor mounts in them) and the couplers (Volvo engines didn't use couplers. Then there is the problem with the exhaust. Volvo 4 cyl engines have starboard mounted exhaust manifolds, while the Mercruisers had port side exhaust manifolds. Wonder how the exhaust pipe hooked up.
So for all those saying they have a 93 and earlier Volvo 4 cylinder engine mounted to a Merc outdrive, I say post a picture, not just a bunch of typed words about you think or your buddy has or what ever. Show some pictures.

Touchy Touchy. I'm sure your right Don although your tone is a bit off. I'm not going to make a special trip to my friends house to verify but the next time I'm out on his boat I'll check what's under the engine cover. Even if it's next season. I know without a doubt he has a mercruiser lower unit. If it's a Volvo, I'll start a new thread.

 

[bruce lindemann]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

Don, outdrive is very worn. It is a Volvo Penta 270. Does that make sense?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

Mid 80's Volvo four cylinder (AQ140) on a 270 VP outdrive makes perfect sense. Had one myself in a 20' Bayliner bowrider.

My .02 on the squealing: Belt is loosened up and when it is put in gear, the RPM's drop just enough to stop the squeal. But then again...I'm not there and listening to it. Could be a bad bearing on one of the engine pulleys.

 

[bruce lindemann]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

Thanks for the input, Will start with belts and then move to bearings.

 

[Don S]

Re: Screaching noise in neutral.

Bayliner used a lot of AQ125/270 engines/drives in the early and mid 80's. The 140 was from 75 to 79, so probably not what you have. Same type engine just a bit older.
Since you say the screaching is metalic sounding, if sound is from the front of the engine check the belt tensioner on the timing belt.
If from the back, I would listen to the bearings in the flywheel cover.
Is the sound louder inside the boat or outside the boat? May be the sterndrive itself making noise.
You can pull the upper gear box off the outdrive and still run the engine on muffs on that drive. You could then eliminate the drive completely from the noise.