Quick update - bought new belts and a new power steering pump and went out to the boat this past Thursday. Was about to take the pump off and replace and noticed the belt was very very loose - like I wasnt sure how it stayed on. Tightened the belt and the problem went away. Going to return the...
Quick update - I took the boat out today and had a friend turn the wheel while I looked at the engine. The sound is definitely coming from the power steering pump. When you turn left the power steering pump pulley actually slows down as if it can’t turn, the belt slips, and it makes the noise in...
It’s definitely coming from inside the engine compartment. It does make the noise when idling and I turn the wheel left. The fluid level was ok last I checked (Monday) but will double check and also confirm exactly where the noise is coming from.
Is there any chance it could be the P/S pump...
Hi All,
I have a 1994 Formula 252 bowrider with a 7.4 / Bravo III. Recently I have noticed a grinding noise when turning the steering wheel to the left. It very clearly only happens when turning left and nothing else. It doesn't matter the speed, in gear or not, always a noise when turning the...
Thanks all. To provide an update - it was the fuel system. For now, cleaned the carb and replaced the water separator fuel filter (though no water was present) and all is ok. Will rebuild when I have a few hours to spare and my family doesn't want to use the boat.
Hi All,
I have a 1994 Formula 252 BR with its original Mercruiser 454/Bravo 3, about 860 hours. It's a quad jet carb but not sure who makes it (maybe Rochester?). The boat has run great (I've owned it 5 years for 100+ hours each year) up until beginning of this year. Took the boat out for the...
Hi All - I have a 1994 Formula 252 with a Mercruiser 7.4/Bravo 3. Engine runs great, but when the boat is up on plane, I hear a pretty distinct squealing sound at certain points. When turning the steering wheel at any speed besides idle, the noise is the loudest. When I quickly jerk the wheel to...
Hi all,
I just bought a '94 Formula F250 with a Mercruiser 7.4/Bravo. The marina winterized and stored it for the winter as part of the sale, so I didn't get a chance to get the engine serial # before they put it away. I am wondering what type of Y-pipe I have on the back - whether it is oval...
Hi All,
Today I test drove/agreed to purchase a '94 Formula 252 with a Merc 7.4/Bravo III setup. I've never had a Bravo III before, and it has 26p props on it. The boat hit 51 mph at 5000 rpm. I am pretty sure this is higher than the recommended RPM range for a 7.4 (42-4600?). I am not...
Hi All,
I'm running a pretty powerful 383 through a 1986 Mercruiser Alpha One setup. Alpha drive is brand new last year, U-joints and all. On the lake 2 weeks ago I noticed a burning rubber smell, shut off the engine, opened the hatch and saw a little white smoke, but couldn't see any issue...
Hi All,
I have a '86 Mercruiser 260 setup with a custom 383 I built a few years back. The past 2 times I have taken the boat out, after a few hours of cruising, I have noticed that the engine is making a knocking sound in neutral. It only happens after a few hours of cruising and in neutral...
Well, I just torched an Alpha drive by forgetting to put in gear lube. Rookie mistake. Now I am buying a new drive, but I remember a few guys talking about switching the ratio. It's a 383 stroker mated to a gen 1 alpha which was previously a 1.5 ratio. I've heard of a few guys going to higher...
Hello,
I am running a 400ish horsepower 383 through a 1986 gen 1 alpha drive. I was cruising around yesterday at about 30 mph, not too fast maybe 2500-3000 rpm and all of a sudden i lost power. The engine was still running, and revved like crazy, but I wasn't moving forward. I took the boat...
