whistle sound at idle

pecheux

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
1,200
After trolling for about 2 hours, with the occasional wot to change spot ... I could hear a light whistle sound from the motor ... would go off for a few seconds and come back on .... being close to the boat landing I pulled out of the water. Anyone would have a clue ? I am using 50:1 ratio mix.

This OB is a 1998 ... and when I bought it had only a few hours on it. Touble is it had not ran for over 5 years.
so I do expect some time to have it perfect. Ran 3 tankfull so far.

This whistle sounded like a bearing not being lubricated properly. The water outlet was more cold than warm, and the motor ran great ... so I have no idea where that sound came from.

Taking no chance I checked the lower unit oil and it was as grey as primer ... so I know there is a oil seal problem. Put new oil in it ... can this cure by itself ? or are there additives that can help ?

Thanks y'awl.
 

pecheux

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
1,200
Re: whistle sound at idle

With vehicules there are additive products that can be added to either the engine or the automatic transmission in order to soften and condition oil seals.

Are there such products for OB lower units ?

Tx
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,851
Re: whistle sound at idle

Replace seals.

Did you put new gaskets on the drain and vent screws?
This may be where the water is getting in.
 

pecheux

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
1,200
Re: whistle sound at idle

roscoe:
Yes new gaskets at every oil change.

Took the beast to my friend's outboard repair shop. he will perform a pressure check on the lower unit. Obviously a leaky seal blew up. Probably cracked from bad storage and short maintenance for all those inoperative years.

Put new oil in this morning and ran it for 10 minutes in a barrel .. no whistle sound. Afterwards dropped the oil from the lower unit and there was very little left.

Oping those seals are still available.

Tx
 

pecheux

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
1,200
Re: whistle sound at idle

rosco: I am in Canada, QC Small Force OB are scarce in my area, I only see high HP pre-mounted on boats.

Chrysler were popular at one time ... but not Force (although same motor)

Tx

PS: to have a nickname like Rosco ... you gotta be in my age group .... LOL
 

eurolarva

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
4,182
Re: whistle sound at idle

Contact the Marine Doctor. He is in Canada and can get you seal kits and almost anything you need for a force.
 
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