Cutlass Bearing Noise?

[Helmling]

340DA 8.1 V-Drives, saltwater slip, boat had not been run for about 4 weeks, idled out of creek 200 yards - whining/squeal noise – no vibration, put both in neutral noise stopped, port in fwd – noise, both neutral, no noise, stbd in fwd, no noise, both neutral, no noise, port reverse – worse noise, neutral – noise stopped, stbd reverse, no noise. Port is the source – Checked both transmissions, fluid level, color, and temp are normal. Did multiple fwd and reverse on both and after about a dozen shifts, noise diminished and went away. Ran slow pace for another hour, playing with electronics, returned to slip, and noise never came back. Cutlass bearings checked and tight last year on haul out. Mud or debris causing lack of cooling? Slip is shallow, but had not run aground

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Mine had the same symptoms a couple of years ago. Had a line wrapped around the shaft which starved the bearing of cooling water flow. Instead of it being loose, the bearing became tighter and as the shaft slowed when put into neutral, it would make the whining noise. Try turning each prop by hand. You will probably find that the one making the noise becomes "stuck" and needs lots of torque to break free. Even then, it takes more torque to turn it. Replace both bearings. Mine went close to the end of the season so I just ran it and changed it in the fall once the boat was hauled.

 

[Helmling]

Thanks Jim - intend to haul soon for bottom paint and zincs.

 

[Helmling]

had the boat out this past Sat - ran up to 3400 no noise at all, so maybe just mud that got flushed. manually turned both shafts port/stbd by the hex nut at the transmission and both turned easy fwd and rev I'll check more when we haul out

 

[Peter Z]

Was this problem ever figured out? I have a 2000 Sundancer 340 and I have the same issue. Pulled away from the dock and about a minute later it started making a squealing sound. Put it in neutral and it stopped. I played with it back and forth and eventually the sound went away.

 

[hottoddie]

If you have PSS shaft seals it could be the 2 surfaces making noise as they rub together when first being used after sitting for a awhile. If you have bonding brushes it could be them squealing when the shaft rotates.