Vibration from Starboard side engine

palermo1

Recruit
Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Messages
3
I bought a used 1994 Rinker Fiesta Vee 280 with twin 4.3LX mercs with the alpha one Gen II drives. When I sea-trialed the boat last year I did not notice this vibration but it probably was there all along. What I get is a vibration that starts at about 1500 and goes all the way up to WOT but once you get above 3500 it is hard to feel as there is so much noise and speed it covers it up.<br /> I ran the boat all this season like this and most people do not notice the vibration but some do and comment about it.<br /> Since I have pulled the boat out of the water for the season I have pulled the outdrives and the vibration is still there on the starboard side. It almost feels like an exahust pipe is grounded on a car against a floor board.<br /> You feel the vibration if you put your hands on the areas around the engine like the transom and gunells. You also feel it in the seat of your pants.<br /> The engine serial numbers are<br /><br /> Port - 0F268221<br /> Starboard - 0F268220<br /><br /> The engine runs quiet and smooth at idle and when you rev it up it is still quiet but you get this vibration.<br /><br /> The two engines are in this boat so tight it is hard to take a good look at the rear motor mounts and anything else on the back of this motor. I do notice that the front mounts for the starboard engine seem to be under some stress like the motor is trying to shift back. The port engine does not show this stress on the front mounts.<br /> I have an engine aligment tool and the alignment is dead on and the outdrive slides on and off with no effort going into the gimbal bearing or engine coupler.<br /> Could a motor mount problem cause this?<br /> Could the exhaust pipe in the back be grounded against something causing this?<br /> Any expereince or ideas on what might cause this vibration.
 

bayman

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 2, 2000
Messages
669
Re: Vibration from Starboard side engine

Are you fairly sure that the engine is causing the vibration? Any chance that something is wrong with the outdrive or a prop?<br /><br />If it is the engine then you may be right about the mounts. Maybe one or more of the mounts are loose.<br /><br />Otherwise both engines are running fine, no smoke or odd noises right?
 

deputydawg

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
1,607
Re: Vibration from Starboard side engine

Do I understand right that you ran it with the drive off and it still vibrated?<br />It may be possible that a mount is bad, but is only pushed out of alignment when the engine is under a load?<br />Make sure the engine does not have a miss, this will sometimes vibrate and shake a little.
 

palermo1

Recruit
Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Messages
3
Re: Vibration from Starboard side engine

Bayman,<br /><br /> I now have the boat out of the water and the outdrives removed and the vibration is still there.<br /> No smoke or noises from the engines.
 

Laddies

Banned
Joined
Sep 10, 2004
Messages
12,218
Re: Vibration from Starboard side engine

I have had a couple alt. that would shake the fillings out of your teeth loosen or remove your alt. belt and see if that stops it
 

Northern Eclipse

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
665
Re: Vibration from Starboard side engine

You mention front mounts appear stressed, there may be a chance the boat has a broken or rotted engine stringer or a mount has become loose at the block or hull, put a wrench on fastners and ensure everthing is snug.
 

bayman

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 2, 2000
Messages
669
Re: Vibration from Starboard side engine

Many good points made. If it is a broken or rotted stringer that the engine is mounted to, like Northern Eclipse brought up, you could have some work to do.
 
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