1997 4.3 with alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive noise

[81_chapparel194]

ok a friend of mine has a 1997 searay with a 4.3 mercruiser and alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive, after sitting all winter we fire it up and after a few minutes we start smelling a "hot metal" smell. kinda like a hot clutch or brakes. and a sound that resembles a dry bearing noise. oil pressure and level is fine. but the engine bay really smelled of this "hot" smell. I thought maybe gambal bearing but from what I have read maybe not... but not sure. and noise is present in neutral and in gear, any suggestions guys????

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1997 4.3 with alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive noise

pull the drive to check and isolate the noise. can test run the motor just by using a hose in the water inlet hole

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: 1997 4.3 with alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive noise

ok sounds like a plan. if it quits with the drive removed then its in the outdrive. but how can I test the outdrive to determine the source?

 

[bspeth]

Re: 1997 4.3 with alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive noise

check the out drive oil and report the condition.

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: 1997 4.3 with alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive noise

oil is perfect. it was just serviced prior to spring start up. and rechecked after noise and smell. still full and not contaminated.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1997 4.3 with alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive noise

pull the drive to isolate it. growling, marbles in a coffee can are signs os a bad gimbal bearing from water intrusion. ask your friend if his bilge pump was running.
Shift into full fwd, remove the rams, 6 nuts and slide right off. If it dosent just slide right off, the shaft is rusted to the gimbal bearing and will require additional steps

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: 1997 4.3 with alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive noise

pull the drive to isolate it. growling, marbles in a coffee can are signs os a bad gimbal bearing from water intrusion. ask your friend if his bilge pump was running.
Shift into full fwd, remove the rams, 6 nuts and slide right off. If it dosent just slide right off, the shaft is rusted to the gimbal bearing and will require additional steps

plan to pull the drive Tuesday afternoon. thanks for your help. I sorta thought it was bad gimbal bearing, but after some reading I thought I understood that gimbal bearing only would make a noise when turning the wheel left to right. but this one constantly. also a key piece of info was this boat sat in storage for 4-5 years not being used. im thinking grease in bearing was old and after a good workout it toasted the gimbal bearing. a horrible smell and smoke filled the engine compartment. and the noise started. will update as the project progresses..

 

[cr2k]

Re: 1997 4.3 with alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive noise

Smell and smoke can also be signs of the coupler going bad. Before you replace the drive you NEED to check alignment.

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: 1997 4.3 with alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive noise

pulled the outdrive, found bad gimbal bearing, it had completely disentigrated.