1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

[brokensoldier]

OK almost a month of trying to figure this problem out and removing and rebuilding parts so far so here goes.

Engine on idle is perfect has not a lick of problems, starting up or staying running, but as soon as i place the engine in Gear forward mainly I get the most god awful squealing noise that sounds like its coming form the distributor, with the cover off and watching it as i place it in gear i notice the Distributor turning as i start to give it some juice, as it does the noise starts and then the engine bogs down and ether i have to snatch it back out of gear or it dies down now even in idle mode the squealing is still there, the noise will only stop once the distributor resets it self back to a normal position. It has two grease fitting that i have lubed over and over thinking maybe it was running dry on the bearings and causing the problems.

I can take pictures or maybe even get a video of the noise if someone thinks that might help them.

I'm not the most mobile person legs are shot up so I can only work so long at this point the boat is just being a Pain in my butt and seems to be the end of me for boating here shortly as im on fixed income and cant realy afford to take to a 100Hr mech at a local shop.

Thanks ahead of time.


Things done so far.

Checked for spar from the plug wires and all are firing.
Had timing Checked by local boat shop and was dead on.
Compression test ran by local shop also said was good to go not sure of Test specs trying to get them now.
Replaced Plugs
Replaced Impeller
Rebuilt complete lower unit
Rebuilt fuel pump
Rebuilt Carbs (ensuring everything was to specs "Twice")
Installed New wiring Harness (Boat side and engine side)
Installed New key switch in control box along with Neutral starting switch)

 

[sutor623]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Sounds like you are doing things correctly. Do you have any timing belt shavings around the crank or distributor? My timing belt was squealing and I put some belt lube on it and it helped. Then I got around to changing the belt, and no issues at all now.

 

[sutor623]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Oh and one other thing. The trigger assembly and distributor housing need some form of lubrication (like anti squeal on brakes in the car) There are metal plates between both. They have to stay lubed. Did you disassemble the dizzy and check all that mess? I changed my trigger for preventative measures and noticed this fact. That is where I'd point my finger.

 

[brokensoldier]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

In order to lube the point your talking about do i need to remove the Distr from the engine and just break it all the way down? Checked the belt nothing looks fine tho in my eyes it seems a little lose could this be the problem and whats causing the noise, would it cause the engine to bog down when the distributor is moving around i almost thought the shaft or a bearing was going out but was not sure and was unable to really pin point the location, having one leg and moving on a boat in the water is not the best idea if you catch my drift I did not feel like swimming? I took a picture of the distributor just to make sure we have the same one or the one your talking about as far as lubing Ive hit it with everything you can buy OTC and cough cough i could get my hands on from the local army base heh.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Did the problem exist before you started working on it? If no, what was the last thing you did before it started squealing when you put it in gear?

 

[brokensoldier]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Lower foot rebuild, I would think, But the local shop here did that for me they replaced everything in the foot from seals to bearings to splines and what not. I thought maybe the squealing was from the drive shaft but i know for a fact when the distributor is turning that's when the Squealing noise comes out and shortly after that it just wants to die out. I wish they had a call center forums my typing sucks so bad its realy hard to explain.

Best thing i can say at this point is when putting it in gear and watching the distributor it kind of turns and then turns some more on the second turn is when it starts screaming bloody murder and then bogs out. Ive only been able to WOT the boat once and that was with my brother messing around and me spraying some lube and holding the distributor in place until it got past a certain point then off we went like a bat out of hell and i mean it would haul butt across the lake i then shut it down just to make sure i did not screw anything up and back to normal it went idle fine and die out if i gave it any throttle.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Well the distributor does move as the throttle is advanced until it hits the timing stop. If the motor is running and you use the warm-up lever to increase RPMs does it start to squeal or squeal louder?

EDIT - don't over rev, just a fast idle.

 

[brokensoldier]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

OK if you cant tell my computer is in the garage by now so im working and reading as i go, Here is what I got so far, My Control box has a Push button to allow me to rev/speed up the gas to the engine with out putting in into gear, Doing this i can move the RPMS around all over and it wont do the squealing noise all the time out of the 5 times I moved and shifted the RPMs around 2 of the times it bogged down like it was doing in the lake the other 3 times i could move the RPMs up and down. So from what i can see it does it with or with out the prop engage. But I was happy to hear the damn thing rev up even so slightly with out hearing hte noise, Note, the first three times it ran great then as it warmed up it started doing it least from what i can tell now it does it every time.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

That is a very strange problem. I think you need to isolate it to the powerhead or the gearcase. The gearcase has gear oil in it right?

When you lift the cold start lever the engine speed will increase. Run the motor on the flusher device. Will the motor then squeel while still in neutral, with the cold start lever up? Alternatively, Remove the throttle cable from the clamp and push the cable to increase engine speed in neutral. See if she squeels. There is a sealed bearing inside the distibutor. Maybe that is going bad?

 

[sutor623]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Hmm that is odd. Those zerk fittings are going to help with the maneuverability of the dist, but I dont know if it is going to hit the bearings on the main shaft. If those bearings are dry in there they are going to squeal. As far as servicing without removal, I am not sure.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

I think you have a lower unit problem. Drain the oil and look for metal.

 

[brokensoldier]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Gear case was just rebuilt and is full i pulled the plug and refilled just now, Im 99% sure the gear case is good as everything was rebuilt in it int he last few weeks by a local Marine Shop, OK doing it as we speak, Got my 12 year old helping me for a few to make sure i don't screw this up, With Engine in Neutral im pushing the throttle down forward motion with the button depressed and the props not moving but the squealing is still there coming right from the Distributor almost sounds like there is a alarm on it but just that kind of high pitched noise and then dies out. I manged to grab a hold of the distributor this time and felt it almost Vibrating and could feel the squealing/vibration from that, would this mean there's a bearing gone out or do i need to change the whole thing?

 

[sutor623]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Not the whole unit. Just the bearings.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

The Distributor bearing is a bit tricky to get to. the rotor is non-removeable, very fragile and costs $200 if you break it. I recommend a service manual so you can see how to disassemble the distributor. Make sure the bearing is orderable. Check the crowleymarine website for availability.

 

[CHUNKS1140]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Chris1956 if you do not mind will you help with my thread 1996 Mercury Tale tell issues.

 

[sutor623]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

The Distributor bearing is a bit tricky to get to. the rotor is non-removeable, very fragile and costs $200 if you break it. I recommend a service manual so you can see how to disassemble the distributor. Make sure the bearing is orderable. Check the crowleymarine website for availability.

Yes, and get a timing belt just because why not change it while the dist. is off. Only other thing you would need is a merc flywheel puller. Dont know if you have one or not.

 

[brokensoldier]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Sounds like a plan of attack, Ill go ahead and start researching the parts needed to give this a shot and will post back in the next few days to let you know how it turned out. THanks for all the help was hoping i would not have to replace the whole thing i saw the price tag on it hehe.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Maybe it is just coincidence the squeal worsens when you put it in gear. Here is a breakdown/parts list for your 1150. http://www.boatpartssource.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=MRC#/Mercury_Marine/1150_7010763_THRU_7112248_%28MERCURY%29/DISTRIBUTOR_HOUSING_AND_ROTOR/01-002-63296-6370/COMMON540753

The upper bearing is not cheap. Be careful and be gentle with the distributor. Parts are either no longer available or priced out of sight and some are just plain fragile.. Ebay/Craigs List are about the only source for used parts unless you can find a marine re-cycler.

 

[sutor623]

Re: 1150 115hp Thunderbolt ignition (Need Super Mech!!)

Yes and make sure to get both bearings when you order. If I were you I'd break the distributor down before ordering ANYTHING! Bearings may just need a little grease.