Squealing Noise

[harrydohnert]

I was wondering if anyone has a clue on how I check something out. I have a 1986 Merc with an Alpha One Drive. The drive is brand new. Meaning yesterday. About a month ago I took the boat out for the first time of the year. I was hearing a squealing noise. The noise happens as I add power, and will die out as I reach higher RPM's. Even when I lower the power back down, the noise will normally not be heard, but as I add power again I will hear the squealing. During that trip my drive seized. I have no idea whether the two were related, but now I have a new drive and I am hearing the squealing again. If it's the belts I am not worried, but I am just concerned that it could be coming from the drive. I am not sure what made the last drive go. THe mechanic told me it was their error. They changed the U Joints on my drive, and they think it popped off. They covered the cost of the new Upper Drive unit. Is it possible they are not putting enough oil and the squealing I am hearing is from a bearing? Anyone with info on how I can maybe narrow it down, please let me know. Hoping its the belts, but who knows. Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Squealing Noise

Sounds like belts slipping. Probably due to rusty pulleys that have eat the belt away. Sure sign is if there is lots of black dust around the front of the engine. And the belt will be loose.<br />Might try opening the cover and listening to where the noise is coming from. Belts on the front and drive is on the rear. Should be easy to tell the difference.<br />If it is in fact the belt, you do need to worry about it. If it's squeeling, it's not turning the engines circulating pump and you will soon be getting an overheat condition.<br />Also, Merc made 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engines. Which do you have.

 

[gspig]

Re: Squealing Noise

Could the gimbal bearing be causing the squeeling?

 

[harrydohnert]

Re: Squealing Noise

I have a 8 Cylinder Merc 230 HP. I wouldnt have thought it was the Gimble bearing because I just had it replaced. As for the belts, I meant I would not be worried about the drive, I would def replace them. Is this a hard thing to do yourself, or should I just bring the boat back to the mechanic. Does the boat need to be out of water. It could be rust because I had a leak last year, and the whole engine compartment was flooded for a few days before I knew anything about it.

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: Squealing Noise

rusty pulleys will chew your belts again quickly. when your belts are off take some time to descale the pulleys and repaint them, i use a small sand blaster, its very fast.

 

[harrydohnert]

Re: Squealing Noise

Anyone have any instructions for changing the belts?

 

[Don S]

Re: Squealing Noise

Instruction Book

 

[harrydohnert]

Re: Squealing Noise

Thanks...