rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

Wavey Davey

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Feb 19, 2014
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4
When flushing the engine out of the water there is a rattle in the housing, It disappears with the Drive down and straight. There is no torque on the engine while doing this. Is this normal? I don't hear any noise when in water under drive and engine tilted at low speed. Can anyone advise? Thanks
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,620
Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

How high is the drive tilted when you hear this?

Mine has a slight rattle in the upper housing even when down and straight.
 

Wavey Davey

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Feb 19, 2014
Messages
4
Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

How high is the drive tilted when you hear this?

Mine has a slight rattle in the upper housing even when down and straight.

It will do it progressively louder as it is raised and also when steering moved from side to side, sounds like u joints. I am wondering if this is only when there is no load on the joints.
 

K-2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 3, 2011
Messages
406
Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

Do not run the engine when the out drive is tilted up that far. This should be covered in your owners manual. What kind of out drive is it? On mine, any time the engine is running the u -joints are spinning. When you raise the drive that far up there is a lot of load on the joints.
 

bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,620
Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

As long as it isn't raised more that you would normally, run the engine, its probably ok but since none of us can actually hear it, it's hard to say if it's too much or not.

When was the last time you pulled the drive to check them?

What model outdrive do you have?
 

Maclin

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May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

What drive do you have? Could be PDS bearing(s), let us know what your setup is.
 

Wavey Davey

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Feb 19, 2014
Messages
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Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

What drive do you have? Could be PDS bearing(s), let us know what your setup is.

This boat is a 2006 Larson with Volvo Penta 3 Liter 135 I/O really haven't used it much at all however to get to the intercoastal I have to raise the drive a fair bit when going through a shallow tidal creek on idle. Is a PDS bearing a gimbal bearing?
Thanks
 

Wavey Davey

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Joined
Feb 19, 2014
Messages
4
Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

This boat is a 2006 Larson with Volvo Penta 3 Liter 135 I/O really haven't used it much at all however to get to the intercoastal I have to raise the drive a fair bit when going through a shallow tidal creek on idle. Is a PDS bearing a gimbal bearing?
Thanks

Bruce I never have pulled the drive
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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51,363
Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

Time to pull the drive and check. normal service is to pull the drive every two years for inspection
 

Maclin

Admiral
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May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

PDS is Primary Drive Shaft, your later model does not have this.
 

skydiveD30571

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 13, 2012
Messages
1,042
Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

Changes in sound during tilting and steering sure sounds like u-joints or gimbal bearing. Pulling the drive is easy and should be done every 1-2 years as preventative maintenance. You'll be able to clearly see the u-joints and gimbal bearing so troubleshooting shouldn't be too hard.

If you don't have an OEM service_manual already, check out boatinfo in the Volvo section under manuals. You'll need to know your drive model (SX-?) and the manual will walk you thru the steps for drive removal and installation. Let us know what you find!
 

mikeneal

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 28, 2004
Messages
710
Re: rattle in outdrive when flushing engine

Like a lot others have said, pull the drive and give it a look over, should be done occasionally anyhow. But that being said many of them rattle in the upper gear set when the idle full down and engine speed changes. Does it. Ore if idle is slightly rough. My 5.0gl has done it since I bought it and has about 1300hrs on it.
 
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