Diagnosing Drive Noise

[dirtyoldman]

I have a 260hp mercruiser with alpha 1. I got lazy when dewinterizing it and didn't check the drive oil. I started the motor and noticed it had a knock starting about 2000rpm. It sounded a lot like a rod knock. Anyway, as I listened to it I decided it was a drive noise. Turning and raising or lowering the drive made no difference. I pulled off the top and there was no oil in the upper gearbox. I added oil and the knock is replaced with a whine.

I just pulled the drive and the U joints look good. I can't check the gimbal bearing. I'm ready to pull the trigger on a SEI sterndrive but wanted to see what is involved in diagnosing this further. I feel confident it needs done, it's had water in it before and the bearing races inside the upper box are scored from corrosion. It's been that way for years though.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Diagnosing Drive Noise

Sorry about your luck. I bet you never miss that again... in your life! All the running and diagnosis... was this on the hose in the driveway? Or were you underway with low/no oil? You haven't shelled out any parts yet. I would think someone could go thru the drive and make it right... for less than a new sei unit. But i would wait for the pros of iboats to inform you best. Best of luck.

 

[achris]

Re: Diagnosing Drive Noise

With anything but a 350 in front of it I'd say leave it be and it should be ok, but the 350 produce plenty of torque, so anything amiss will, most likely, lead to the same result as tossing a grenade in the drive.... SEI to the rescue....