Alpha drive noise

1

119978

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Jul 23, 2004
Messages
4
Can someone help me determine the cause of this noise? I've got a 1995 Merc Alpha I w/135HP 4 cly I/O. <br /><br />While running today I suddenly hear a loud clicking/ratcheting sound from the lower unit. It varies with RPM, goes away in neutral. Same noise in reverse. I noticed that a few times I heard and felt what seemed like the boat shifting into gear on it's own while idling. The drive has plenty of gear oil in the res and I didn't hit anything. I didn't have any problems shifting when I moved the handle, just the noises.
 
N

novelles

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Messages
44
Re: Alpha drive noise

Something is wrong with the gears at the lower unit. If shifting is fine and the shift cable is not loose or damaged the gears will engage, but the noise shows something is wrong down there.<br /><br />A friend of mine just happened the same last week and ended up having boiling oil and heavier noises. He could just take the boat to the marina at iddle.<br /><br />Good luck
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,308
Re: Alpha drive noise

Ayah,<br />I'd say that You are About to have Serious Problems......
 
1

119978

Recruit
Joined
Jul 23, 2004
Messages
4
Re: Alpha drive noise

I was hoping for a shifing linkage problem, but the cables seem to be in good shape.<br /><br />Aren't the cable brackets mounted on top of the engine supposed to have a little play in them?<br /><br />I've ordered a service manual from Amazon. I've never worked on lower units before, but I guess I'm going to learn a little about them in the next few weeks.
 
1

119978

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Joined
Jul 23, 2004
Messages
4
Re: Alpha drive noise

Well, I removed the cover on top of the lower-unit and sure enough, there is something wrong. The bearing located under this cover is broken. It looks like some pieces of the bearing have broken off and fallen down into the lower unit.<br /><br />Can I just replace this bearing?
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,308
Re: Alpha drive noise

All that Broken-Up Junk has been Floating around in Both, <br />The Upper,+ Lower Cases..........<br />It Really Should have a Total Rebuild..........
 
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