Whistling Noise from 5.0 MPI - Help / Advice needed? Gimble Bearing question also

[mtbulls]

I have a 2003 200 Select or limited with a 5.0 MPI and an Alpha 1 outdrive.

I've had the boat for a little over a year and put about 35 hours on it.

I am trying to determine if a whistling noise I hear as I start to throttle up is normal. This happens just in the first 10-20% of the throttle. Thereafter, I don't hear it. I don't know if it's because it is drowned out or if it goes away. Is this whistling just standard for this engine or could it be something else?

I also hear a little more grumbling than I am used to with my past boats and wonder about the prospect of a gimble bearing giving me issues. Again, could be just this engine's standard noise. I've never had a 5.0 MPI before. With that in mind, how much grease can you pump into the zerk for the gimble? What is the best way to grease the gimble? Seems like it would work best if you could grease while the shaft is turning in the bearing.

 

[JimG]

The whistle could be a bad or missing IAC muffler.

A bad gimble bearing will grumble... and increase in intensity with RPM. It may also change sound with steering position.

 

[dpvandy01]

My 2012 185 whistles between 2200 and 2800 RPM,,, it's a vacuum created by the air going through the air filter. Normal for my boat on a 3.0L MPI.

 

[SteveRuss]

Could be a couple of things, Have someone turn the wheel all the way both directions with engine running to see if it gets more noticeable. That could be a sign of bad gimbal bearing or low power steering fluid (assuming you have power steering). If PS fluid ok, pump grease into the gimble (9 or so from grease gun) with engine idling. should hear a slight change if gimbal is binding. Finally, check exhaust bellows. If it is cracked, mid way up, you will hear elevated exhaust sound levels as you trim up/down.

 

[all about fun]

I have the same boat/engine as you I believe (2003 200 BR 5.0 MPI). I know the whistle sound you're talking about - kind of sounds like a small jet engine. I just recently replaced the IAC valve and muffler and it still does it. I wasn't too worried about it although I've never asked anyone about it.

I do however have a question for you. Does you engine tick noticeably while idling? Mine sounds like a Timex and it only has 170 hours on it...

 

[skolbe]

My - 2000 - 215 whistled and I was told it was normal.

 

[Gunn]

The whistle could be a bad or missing IAC muffler.

:thumbsup: Easy to check too. I removed my muffler earlier this year when trying to diagnose a problem. A week later when running the engine I was wondering where the hell that new whistling noise was coming from. And then I remembered... Found the IAC muffler, put it back, and no more whistle...