av8ingtom
New Member
- May 8, 2012
- 80
- Boat Info
- 2010 280 Sundancer, Garmin 7608, Garmin 7610, Garmin VHF 300, Garmin AIS 600, Garmin GMR 24HD Radar,
- Engines
- 350 Mercruiser SeaCore Bravo III
Need help. Last summer I noticed a vibration at cruising speed. You could feel the vibration thru steering wheel and also the seat. Had dealer check it out and they could not find a problem. Vibration increaded as we used the boat during the summer. In October I spoke to service department and ask them to please fix the problem. I would not be using the boat again until April so they had 6 months to diagnose and repair. I also had them replace all filters, impellers, and fluids in main engine, generator, and outdrive. Service department called me and advised me that the vibration was caused by a bad coupler and they needed to remove engine to replace coupler. Ok, good. Still have factory warranty and I will be ready to go for the 2014 boating season. Service department calls me in mid April and tells me I am ready to go. Went down to marina and paid my $1800.00 bill for all the maintenance. Had them put the boat on a work rack. Hooked up water hose to outdrive and started engine. I noticed a loud clanking noise that sounded like to much back lash in a pinion gear. Noise gets much worse when you turn outdrive to left or right. Walked over to service department and ask lead technician to please walk down and listen to the noise. I was a little shocked when he told me all Bravo III outdrives make that noise. I told him that I have never heard that noise, and I flush the engine after every use. Outdrive has always been quiet and now it sounds like it is going to come apart. I ask tech if everything was aligned properly, and he acted like I insulted him. I sent Mercruiser technical assistance an email about the problem and Mercruiser's reply was BS at best. I ask to meet with area service rep, and they said I had to take boat to an authorized Mercruiser service department. If Mercruiser would have read my email they would have noticed that a Authorized Mercruiser Service Department had my boat for 6 months and I get it back with bigger problems, and B S answers from a Mercruiser Certified Technician. I have listened to 6 or 7 Bravo III outdrives and none of them make the noise my outdrive now makes. I do not have a trailer, so I am limited on repair shops. Any advise?