noise/ vibration problem

[alpapale]

I recently ran my prop through the sandy bottom and as a result purchased a new (hustler) prop. I noticed a vibration at 2800-3000 RPM and also at very hard slow speed turns, only during these turns it sounds more like a grone or a rumble. I thought my new prop was the problem, but I switch back to my beat-up-oem and I have similar problems, although the vibrations seem to be at different RPM's. Any Ideas?<br /><br />Thanks guys!

 

[fone_man]

Re: noise/ vibration problem

Groan or Rumble... Is that the boat rumbling & you groaning, I hope not but I will try an answer your question...<br /><br />Sounds like bearing problem in lower unit because it still is there after changing prop.<br /><br />Drain fluid & see if any metal in lube???<br /><br />You have got to start some where... Is this OB or IB???<br /><br />------------------<br />"Keep It Between The Bouys" & "Good Luck"!!!<br /><br />fone_man

 

[alpapale]

Re: noise/ vibration problem

Hey thanks fone_man for responding. The boat is a new (20 Hrs) 20 foot Fourwinns with a volvo-penta I/O (4.3 liter coupled with an SX outdrive). The boat goes fine straight ahead. It wasn’t until recently when I dinged my prop and replaced it that I also started taking the kids tubing. Now I'm doing slow turns under a higher than normal load. I know it's possible that I damaged something when I did my prop in, but I didn't think I hit particularly hard, though the skeg did get scratched real good and the prop was real rough, but not obviously bent. I kind of hope that this outdrive is a little more rugged. I've hit my old Johnson O.B. a lot harder and several times killing props and even bent the skeg once but with no ill effects to the mechanism. <br /><br />When I rotate the prop and shaft it "seems" OK. No apparent run-out or play, but I’ll have to pull the boat out of the lake to check the oil. It's due for the 20-hour change anyway. My real dilemma is that I never used the boat in slow turns before and therefore I have no reference. This boat is wide (101"), I don’t know it's normal operating noises etc. but it doesn’t seem normal to me.

 

[fone_man]

Re: noise/ vibration problem

noises are noises.... I have 86 fourwinns 140 Merc IO...<br /><br />I would assume being a new rig... I would carry back to dealer or call dealer & ask about the noises that are occuring... what might seem abnormal to us... is normal operating conditions.<br /><br />But when I was a mechanic... what people said & what it did were two different things... so see if they will come out to lake & do a test drive/ride??? This might cure you ills... good luck...<br /><br />------------------<br />"Keep It Between The Bouys" & "Good Luck"!!!<br /><br />fone_man

 

[Walter]

Re: noise/ vibration problem

Alp...I'm curious. Was your OEM prop aluminum or stainless?? If stainless and you KO'd something...oh say like a big hunka-hunka-burnin' rock...well, that's something else. I/O's are not as forgiving as outboards when it comes to their ability to withstand the nasty forces created when non-giving stainless props come up against something rock-solid.<br /><br />I'll echo Fone's comments about taking your dealer's mechanic out for a quick sea trial to see whether the vibration/noise you describe is really a concern. Ya might as well tell him what happened (re: grounding) cause if there's something in the outdrive's gear train that was significantly damaged...he'll know it upon inspection.<br /><br />Good luck...and let's just hope it was the cost of that new prop that caused all the "groaning"! <br /><br />Walt

 

[alpapale]

Re: noise/ vibration problem

Hey Walter,<br /><br />My OEM prop was Aluminum, as was the Hustler replacement. It didn't seem that I crashed the prop too hard, seemed like sand but who knows. The prop didn't seem bent, but was heavly gouged on the blade edges. Also, my wife reminded me last night that the boat always made a funny groaning noise when we pulled out of the slip in reverse. I never connected the two symptons but now I'm starting to think maybe there was a problem all along. After I replaced the prop I was very sensitve to noise and vibration as the prop was not an OEM. The problem could have been there all along. It also wasn't until recently, right after this prop incident, that I started taking my kids tubing, making sharp slow turns. Before that it was mostly straight ahead at 3/4 to full throttle.<br /><br />I did make an appointment with the dealer guy. I just hope he doesn't blame this stuff on the "non-standard" prop, as the prop guy is blaming it on the boat. If i had replaced the prop with a standard OEM, then I would now know more about what's going on. I may have to spring for one in an attempt to diagnose this further.<br /><br />Thanks for your response!