Screeching noise in/near neutral???

[Jeff72034]

I'm new to site and need some ideas on a problem with my girlfriend's boat (2007 Princecraft Vacanza 220 - 2007 Mercruiser 5.0 220 HP). A screeching sound occurs when I take the boat out of gear, especially while idling but also just before clicking into neutral. The sound is identical to the sound made when trying to start a car that's already running. If I cut the engine, the sound goes away (obviously) but when I start it back up...no screech. I can idle just fine when starting up but once in gear and back to neutral...SCREECH. The boat is running superb. All the gauges show healthy function. I still can't tell exactly where the sound comes from because the boat was covered in kids yesterday when it started (tubing!). However, from what I was able to hear, it did sound like the screeching starts inside the engine compartment around the middle/top area followed by a grinding noise lower in the compartment...if not outside the boat in the stern-drive area (that only happens if I let the noise continue; which, I only did twice). If it is helpful to know...I had a fresh full tank of gas, the boat has been out in heavy rain and required bilging (not submerged flooring or anything serious), the sounds doesn't happen EVERY time but more often than not I am hearing it, and again...we were tubing.

 

[harleyman1975]

Just something to rule out. Bilge pump motor could screech as could blower motor. Check to make sure starter is not loose perhaps loose wire or bad solenoid allowing starter to engage? Lots of things to look for.

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

What outdrive on the boat Alpha/Bravo?
Do you know the serial number of the motor?
Check under the motor in the back and there is a cover (item 15) over the flywheel. Is it loose?
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/31853/13884/160

Also check the starter to see if it is loose

When was the last time the gear lube was changed and the alignment checked?

 

[Jeff72034]

Just something to rule out. Bilge pump motor could screech as could blower motor. Check to make sure starter is not loose perhaps loose wire or bad solenoid allowing starter to engage? Lots of things to look for.

I'll definitely try the bilge pumps and blower motor for the sound. I'm not sure where the starter actually is. Selocmarine has some manuals. I considered buying one but I can't really tell if I'm selecting the right engine model. Since there is only two 5.0s, I am guessing mine is the TKS and not the MPI. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Benny67]

Is there a cat in the bilge? maybe a bowl of fancy feast?

I know...terrible joke

Sorry...couldn?t resist the opportunity

 

[alldodge]

The starter is on the starboard side at the rear of the motor and at the bottom.

 

[Benny67]

On my old boat, my alternator use to squeel sometimes when there was a sudden load on the engine...I tightened the belt and it cured the problem.

At first I didn't think it was the alternator because it makes a different sound in a boat rather than a car...I would assume fiberglass vs steel makes the sound different

 

[Jeff72034]

Howdy

What outdrive on the boat Alpha/Bravo?
Do you know the serial number of the motor?
Check under the motor in the back and there is a cover (item 15) over the flywheel. Is it loose?
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/31853/13884/160

Also check the starter to see if it is loose

When was the last time the gear lube was changed and the alignment checked?

Great questions. We just bought the boat so I'm not sure about past maintenance. The Engine Serial is 0W667340. I don't know whether it is Alpha or Bravo or even how to check.

I will have to pull the boat out of the water this week to check item 15. I'm not even sure how to get under, or behind, the engine. I do know how to lift the compartment door so I guess that's as good a place to start as any. I'll also check the starter.

 

[alldodge]

screeching sound occurs when I take the boat out of gear, especially while idling but also just before clicking into neutral

We just bought the boat so I'm not sure about past maintenance

I would suggest pulling the boat out, and then draining and replace the lube out of the drive. Check the alignment, replace the raw water pump impeller (belt drive for Bravo, inside the drive for Alpha).

If you know the drive serial number this can tell us

 

[Benny67]

I would suggest pulling the boat out, and then draining and replace the lube out of the drive. Check the alignment, replace the raw water pump impeller (belt drive for Bravo, inside the drive for Alpha).

If you know the drive serial number this can tell us

2nd that advice...I learned my lesson launching a newly purchased boat last year by not fully inspecting it first. Never again.

Get a general idea on it's true condition before using it by yourself or someone you trust.

I launched a boat I purchased last year and only did the basics ( checked motor,changed oil in drives and a quick once over on basics) only to have to pull the boat after 8 days because of a leaky exhaust pipe on the the starbord transom..cost me $1000 to learn not to overlook anything on something new to you.

 

[Benny67]

BTW,

The 1k was in moving charges..it's a 27 ft boat without a trailer....I fixed the leak myself for under $250 in parts and tools

 

[Jeff72034]

No Title

2nd that advice...I learned my lesson launching a newly purchased boat last year by not fully inspecting it first. Never again.

Get a general idea on it's true condition before using it by yourself or someone you trust.

I launched a boat I purchased last year and only did the basics ( checked motor,changed oil in drives and a quick once over on basics) only to have to pull the boat after 8 days because of a leaky exhaust pipe on the the starbord transom..cost me $1000 to learn not to overlook anything on something new to you.

So, I pulled the boat our yesterday to look for the serial numbers...not much luck. Would you be able to tell me by looking at some photos?

 

[Jeff72034]

No Title

I would suggest pulling the boat out, and then draining and replace the lube out of the drive. Check the alignment, replace the raw water pump impeller (belt drive for Bravo, inside the drive for Alpha).

If you know the drive serial number this can tell us

I can't tell for sure that I've found the serial number on the drive or what drive it is. Pictures of the Alpha and Bravos all look the same to me (Except Bravo 2). Can you tell by these pics?

 

[Yegboats]

It's an alpha 1 1.62:1
0w667340 5.0l alpha mpi
0w869829 1.62:1
trn: 0w745029

 

[Bt Doctur]

the nut and bolt tell you its a Alpha GEN II drive [h=1]ALPHA ONE (GEN.II) 1998 AND UP - 0L100040 & Up[/h]

 

[Jeff72034]

I'm in the process of re-installing my sterndrive after checking the alignment and replacing the impeller and gear oil BUT the sterndrive will not go all the way back onto the bell housing. It's just stuck about 1 1/2 inch out. I've tried turning the prop backwards, jiggling the whole drive, and even kicking forward (as was suggested in a video). Any suggestions?

 

[alldodge]

If it won't just slide on then the alignment is not correct. What alignment tool did you use?

 

[Jeff72034]

If it won't just slide on then the alignment is not correct. What alignment tool did you use?

I used this: [h=1]Engine Alignment Tool for Mercruiser, Volvo, and OMC[/h]

• Related Part Numbers: 91-57797A3, 91-805475A1, 3851083, 18-4442

I was able to identify that it was the set of two O-Rings resisting the gimbal. I gave it the infamous "Merc Kick" and it went it.

 

[Jeff72034]

UPDATE: I have replaced the impeller (old one was in fine condition), checked the alignment, and inspected the impeller casing and associated moving parts...no problems there. I re-installed the sterndrive and test drove the boat.

Unfortunately, the screeching sound persists. I am 100% confident that the sound is the starter. While test driving, I waited in idle/neutral for the sound to start and then immediately after hearing it I turned off the engine, started the engine again, then attempted to start the engine while the engine was running. This sound is most definitely the starter.

I'm not sure where to go from here. I have been unable to locate where on the engine the starter is (pictures are always a close up of the starter without indicated where on the engine to look). So, I suppose troubleshooting the ignition switch and making my way back from there makes the most sense.

 

[Bondo]

I'm not sure where to go from here. I have been unable to locate where on the engine the starter is (pictures are always a close up of the starter without indicated where on the engine to look). So, I suppose troubleshooting the ignition switch and making my way back from there makes the most sense.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... The starter is way down low, starboard side of the block at the extreme aft corner, held on by 2 bolts, straight up from below,....

The key start circuit runs from the key switch, through the neutral safety switch in the control, to the slave solenoid, to the starter's solenoid,....