harojs
Petty Officer 3rd Class
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2016
- Messages
- 84
1995 VP 5.0L with SX-M
Was following another cruiser at 18kts and got into his wash and cavitated briefly. I immediately returned to idle, but I at least red-lined or went over 4400 RPM which is top RPM. Waited to get out of his wash, and then proceeded normally.
However, now periodically once above 1800 RPM I get a horrible growling from the transom area and the engine severely loads down, and prop slows and boat slows. Like something clamped down and squeezed my shaft hard. I immediately went to idle and crawled back to my marina at 5kts. No growling below 1800 RPM. No growling moving sterndrive from side to side.
[Q1] Could the brief cavitation over-rev have caused my gimbal bearing to overtemp, spin out of alignment, or be damaged in some way?
[Q2] Is the sound and behavior lean towards a damaged gimbal bearing?
I plan to get the leg pulled and take a look at the GB, just wanted to compare notes with others. My mechanic did normal full seasonal maintenance removing the leg, and he said the GB looked ok and did not change it out. I have no record of any previous GB maintenance, so it could be old and just failed today. I'll put in a new one regardless.
Any thoughts?
John
Bellevue, WA
Was following another cruiser at 18kts and got into his wash and cavitated briefly. I immediately returned to idle, but I at least red-lined or went over 4400 RPM which is top RPM. Waited to get out of his wash, and then proceeded normally.
However, now periodically once above 1800 RPM I get a horrible growling from the transom area and the engine severely loads down, and prop slows and boat slows. Like something clamped down and squeezed my shaft hard. I immediately went to idle and crawled back to my marina at 5kts. No growling below 1800 RPM. No growling moving sterndrive from side to side.
[Q1] Could the brief cavitation over-rev have caused my gimbal bearing to overtemp, spin out of alignment, or be damaged in some way?
[Q2] Is the sound and behavior lean towards a damaged gimbal bearing?
I plan to get the leg pulled and take a look at the GB, just wanted to compare notes with others. My mechanic did normal full seasonal maintenance removing the leg, and he said the GB looked ok and did not change it out. I have no record of any previous GB maintenance, so it could be old and just failed today. I'll put in a new one regardless.
Any thoughts?
John
Bellevue, WA