Whining sound when in neutral

[patbalmos]

I have a Mercury 115 four stroke its a 2003 and I get a rather loud whining or whirring sound when the motor is not in gear. When I put it in gear it goes away. I have checked the lower unit oil and everything looks good. The sound seems to be coming from somewhere below the powerhead. This is the first Mercury I have owned and want to make sure there is not some sort of problem.

 

[patbalmos]

Re: Whining sound when in neutral

With all these mercs running around out there no one else has had this problem? If this is so then do you find your mercury outboards noisier than others when at idle? The powerhead has just been rebuilt and the sound seems to be coming from the midsection or the lower unit.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Whining sound when in neutral

There is really nothing in the midsection,just exhaust pipe, to make that kind of noise.Drive shaft goes from head to L/U with no carrier bearing in between. Maybe put some muffs on it and use a automotive stethoscope on the L/U .It sounds like your describing a bearing going bad. When in neutral there may be no load on the bearing so it whines.When you put it in gear you are putting a load on it that may cause the sound to go away,but not the problem.I do not have a 4 stroke but 99% of lower units work on the same principal whether a I/O or outboard.So I would say you have a probable problem,noticed it, and now should check it out before it takes out some gears$$$