Chirping noise - Mercruiser 5.0

[fredster]

I just changed the oil on my Merc 5.0/Alpha after the first 20 hours of use and something strange happened which I'm concerned about.

I had the boat on the lift and lowered the drive unit and the boat far enough that all of the water pickups were in the water - but the boat itself and the drive unit above the water pickups was still out. I ran the engine at fast idle (1500RPM) for 2-3 minutes until the temps camp up to 125 or so and shut it down. I then proceeded to change the oil and filter which went well.

Upon starting the engine, oil pressure came right up and it ran fine, however, there seemed to be a fairly loud "chirping" noise that was directly related to engine RPM coming from the front of the engine. All fluid levels including oil checked out fine. We ran the boat for 2-3 minutes and the noise went away and did not return. After that we ran for about 2 hours doing tubing duty and it continued to sound normal.

Can anyone tell me what I did to cause this, and what the noise was? Do I need to have the boat farther in the water so that the water outlets/exhaust are underwater? Really hoping I didn't hurt anything.

Thanks in advance -

Fred

 

[bomar76]

Re: Chirping noise - Mercruiser 5.0

What did you spill on the belts to cause them to slip and chirp?
Oil from the changing process?

 

[fredster]

Re: Chirping noise - Mercruiser 5.0

I don't recall spilling anything, although I suppose it's possible. I used a vacuum pump/cannister with the fitting that goes right on the merc dipstick. There was not any oil the outside of the hose/fittings when I removed it but I suppose a drop or two could have gotten away.

Note to self...cover front of engine before starting oil change.....

I like the concept...and about the only thing that makes sense at this point. I will checkout the serpentine belt this weekend for oil traces. Thanks for the idea.

Marysville Ohio...I grew up in Jackson Center which is NW of Bellefontaine and spent many a day at Indian Lake as a kid....not too far from you.....

 

[milkyway]

Re: Chirping noise - Mercruiser 5.0

Your belt is either loose, slipping, worn out and needs to be replaced.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Chirping noise - Mercruiser 5.0

Jackson Center..home of Airstream and not too much else.
I remember Indian Lake back when San Juan Park was open (the predicessor to Playland Park), the riots every year on the 4th of July, and before they blew up all the dregding and created all the park land around the water's edge.

Bellefontaine...home of the oldest concrete street in the America's.

We no longer boat on Indian Lake.....too freakin shallow, too many stumps.

 

[fredster]

Re: Chirping noise - Mercruiser 5.0

You're right about JC...small town for sure.

Yes, lots of ruined props in Indian Lake. That's what happens when you take turn a flood control zone (that was a swamp) and turn it into a recreational lake!

Airstream used to have their annual picnic at playland park, I went there once or twice when I was probably 7-8 years old. Came back as a teenager and snuck in that park a couple of times after it closed and before they tore it down.

 

[JasonR]

Re: Chirping noise - Mercruiser 5.0

Does it have a "pick up pump" that is belt driven? I have had this happen to my 351w. the pumps are usually made by jabsco. If you do have one take the impellor out and take a look for cracks while banding the vains of the impellor over. If everything checks out spay some silicone in and button it up. Bet it stops (if you have one)