Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

[rich1295]

Here is a video (It's the sound that's important) of my outdrive. This is a Mercruiser Alpha unit on a Mercruiser 228.
I replaced the outdrive with a used unit and everything was running fine for about 45 minutes. I was cruising nicely along an open lake running about 4,000 RPM. Then a loud noise started and I shut it down. The engine runs fine and I don't think there is a problem with it - no noise from the engine compartment. The clicking sound seems about the same whether the unit is in neutral or in gear. Any ideas?

 

[dollarten]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

Here is a video (It's the sound that's important) of my outdrive. This is a Mercruiser Alpha unit on a Mercruiser 228.
I replaced the outdrive with a used unit and everything was running fine for about 45 minutes. I was cruising nicely along an open lake running about 4,000 RPM. Then a loud noise started and I shut it down. The engine runs fine and I don't think there is a problem with it - no noise from the engine compartment. The clicking sound seems about the same whether the unit is in neutral or in gear. Any ideas?

This would be a good one for a " Name that Sound" which some radio stations have . Try it out of water if you can and see if the same sound happens or somewhat near . Coming from the outside of the boat I first thought the exhaust bellow had a hole in it but, then you would here all eight cylinders running , which you are not . I would look in the engine room again and see if you have an exhaust manifold gasket that is blown out . It sounds like a one cylinder engine running which would lead me to think one of the rear cylinders are leaking . My guess anyway .

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

Pull the boat out of the water, remove the drive and, start the engine.

You will know right away if it's the engine or drive..........

 

[hoot]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

It reminds me of how the sliding clutch teeth and the gear engagement teeth sound when you do not get a good gear engagement. Try adjusting the shift cable first. Search this forum. Lots of info and web sites on the topic.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

Just looked at the video again...........is the drive tilted up at all?
Does it make that sound when all the way down?

Being it was a used drive.........did you check the condition of the gear lube beore you installed it?
And more importantly, did you confirm it was full of lube?

 

[brhodes]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

What FreeBee said. The drive is trimmed up in the vid, does it do this when the drive is all the way down? If not, could be a u-joint problem. I agree with the above, take the drive off and run-er, I the only other possiblity would be the gimble, that could make a noise but would only make it with the drive on, although not part of the drive ( I doubt it is this anyway). 2nd on the cable adjust as well, does it go in and out of gear ok?

 

[rowlex]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

my boat made the same noise on saturday. i was towing and pulled the throttle back to go much slower but not full neutral. check your shift cables.

 

[rich1295]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

Thanks for the comments.
I personnaly filled it with lube when I changed the outdive.
It doesn't make a difference with the unit tilted up or down.
The shifting seems fine - easily and correclty goes to forward, neutral or reverse and sound seems consistent.

I guess I'll put her back on the trailer and pull the outdrive and I'll really see what's going on.

 

[dollarten]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

Thanks for the comments.
I personnaly filled it with lube when I changed the outdive.
It doesn't make a difference with the unit tilted up or down.
The shifting seems fine - easily and correctly goes to forward, neutral or reverse and sound seems consistent.

I guess I'll put her back on the trailer and pull the outdrive and I'll really see what's going on.

Put the muffs on it before you take it apart and see if you can hear anything by getting your ear closer . Another idea is to take a broom handle ( without the broom end ) and use it like a stethoscope and listen around the drive unit . This will help localize the sound that you are hearing

 

[lil buggy]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

not sure if i am too late for you or not,
i just had the same issue with my 5.7 liter alpha one gen 1,
while engine is off and is in gear forward first. spin the prop by hand if click still happends
try reverse if same result
looks like lower unit clutchdog or driveshaft or worn or out of adjustment shiftcable

you can double check by taking outdrive off 6 bolts and trim rams
hold shiftdog (under u joint) at 12 oclock and spin prop by hand forward
hold shiftdog at 9 oclock spin reverse
if you get the same clicken its the outdrive clutchdog(lower unit) or driveshaft
if you get positive force you either need to adjust or replace shiftcable

good luck and let us know what you find

 

[cr2k]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

Pull the upper cap and have a look at the gears and bearings. That's what it sounds like to me.

 

[lil buggy]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

rich1295,
did you get it figured out?
if so what was it?
my money is on the outdrive clutchdog,
however it could also be the shiftcable or any part of the driveshafts upper or mid, or lower propshaft
either one will not allow the clutchdog to fully engage and yoy will get that ratcheting noise

pulling the outdrive is very easy,
20 min job out of water.
the only thing you will need is a couple of sockets, gasket, and a rubber o ring
very cheap,
several videos on youtube to help
no gear oil change is necessary at this point. although you should check your lower screw on the lower unit for metal shavings

lil buggy

 

[achris]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

not sure if i am too late for you or not,
i just had the same issue with my 5.7 liter alpha one gen 1,
while engine is off and is in gear forward first. spin the prop by hand if click still happends
try reverse if same result
looks like lower unit clutchdog or driveshaft or worn or out of adjustment shiftcable

you can double check by taking outdrive off 6 bolts and trim rams
hold shiftdog (under u joint) at 12 oclock and spin prop by hand forward
hold shiftdog at 9 oclock spin reverse
if you get the same clicken its the outdrive clutchdog(lower unit) or driveshaft
if you get positive force you either need to adjust or replace shiftcable

good luck and let us know what you find

?????? :facepalm:

What you have described is the NORMAL situation with a ramped reverse side dogclutch, which these drives have. With the unit in forward if you spin the prop forward it WILL click over on the dogclutch, same in reverse. To check the dog clutch you need to put the drive in forward and turn the prop REVERSE and ensure it locks. Check in reverse by turning the prop FORWARD and looking for it to lock....

 

[ziggy]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

i don't know what that sound is. but it sure something to be concerned with i think.
-might as well get the boat out of the water, something needs repaired.
-confirm the noise is coming from the drive while testing on the hose.
-assuming it's the drive.
-i agree w/ above about removing the top cap to inspect the drive and driven gear + ya can see the drive gear shaft top brg.
-i agree w/ removing the drive lub and inspecting for metal fragments.
-remove the drive. inspect as much as you can. like drive shaft splines and mating coupler, ujoints. also, shift it manually and check for proper shift function. ie.

when viewed from aft. when in...
fwd.= prop locks ccw and ratchets cw
neu.= prop spins freely both directions, no feel, no sound
rev.= prop locks cw and ratchets ccw.

-separate the upper from the lower, see if ya can determine which half is the offender and proceed from there.
imho, if you wait, something sounds like it's gonna fail sooner than later, if it fails and it's gear or brgs. the drive will likely be destroyed beyond cost effective repair.

 

[lil buggy]

Re: Outdrive problem - Loud clicking noise

?????? :facepalm:

What you have described is the NORMAL situation with a ramped reverse side dogclutch, which these drives have. With the unit in forward if you spin the prop forward it WILL click over on the dogclutch, same in reverse. To check the dog clutch you need to put the drive in forward and turn the prop REVERSE and ensure it locks. Check in reverse by turning the prop FORWARD and looking for it to lock....

sorry achris,
seems i got it backwards, thanks for the clarification.

agreed ziggy the boat has to be dry to proceed
pulling the outdrive and doing the test only isolates the possibilities

in any event good luck
hope you find a resolve soon