3L Mercruiser noise at 3000 rpm

Mark Brotcke

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Jul 15, 2003, 6:15:08 PM7/15/03

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Last week i purchesed a 2001 bayliner 185 with the 3.0L Mercruiser
Alpha I sterndrive .

At around 3000 RPM there is a Very noticeable HUM or Whir or Whistle.
Whatever you want to call it is loud when sitting in the captains seat. it
fades away below 2900 and above 3100.

This bothered me so I had my dealer take it for a test drive (I wasn't
there) and they said it was fine but offered no explanation. While on the
lake this weekend I found another boater who had a 2001 bay liner 185 only
with the 4.3l 6cylinder engine and he says he experiences the same Sound at
the same RPM.

Any thoughts on what this may be? Is it something I can cure or something I
must live with? I was told by another mechanic that it may be something
characteristic with that engin/outdrive and I should just try and stay away
from cruising at those RPM's.

This boat is new (showroom display) and is under full warranty so if it is
somthing that should be fixed i would like to know!

Please advise!

Mark Brotcke

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Jul 15, 2003, 5:55:36 PM7/15/03

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Lloyd Sumpter

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Jul 16, 2003, 12:32:05 AM7/16/03

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On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 15:15:08 +0000, Mark Brotcke wrote:

> Last week i purchesed a 2001 bayliner 185 with the 3.0L Mercruiser
> Alpha I sterndrive .
>
>
>
> At around 3000 RPM there is a Very noticeable HUM or Whir or Whistle.
> Whatever you want to call it is loud when sitting in the captains seat. it
> fades away below 2900 and above 3100.
>
>
>
> This bothered me so I had my dealer take it for a test drive (I wasn't
> there) and they said it was fine but offered no explanation. While on the
> lake this weekend I found another boater who had a 2001 bay liner 185 only
> with the 4.3l 6cylinder engine and he says he experiences the same Sound at
> the same RPM.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts on what this may be? Is it something I can cure or something I
> must live with? I was told by another mechanic that it may be something
> characteristic with that engin/outdrive and I should just try and stay away
> from cruising at those RPM's.
>

I had an older 2.5L Mercruiser in my Campion, and 3000 was pretty much the
"sweet spot": best cruise rpm. Definitely a nice sound - no annoying
whines or whistles.

I'm guessing the outdrive - they can whine just like what you describe.
Usually not a Good Sign (universal?) - have it checked!

Lloyd Sumpter

Doug Meredith

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Jul 16, 2003, 12:39:32 AM7/16/03

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"Mark Brotcke" <ma...@nospam.brotcke.com> wrote in message
news:sL_Qa.449$GB5.26...@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...

> At around 3000 RPM there is a Very noticeable HUM or Whir or Whistle.
> Whatever you want to call it is loud when sitting in the captains
seat. it
> fades away below 2900 and above 3100.

there should not be any hum noise at this RPM. Gimbal bearing maybe?
Is it worse in a turn? Get your dealer to go out with you, so you can
point this noise out to him.

> I was told by another mechanic that it may be something
> characteristic with that engin/outdrive and I should just try and stay
away
> from cruising at those RPM's.

Run as fast as possible away from this mechanic. Telling you to stay
away from cruising at a specific RPM is a BS answer.

gatt

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Jul 16, 2003, 1:35:12 AM7/16/03

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"Lloyd Sumpter" <lsum...@dccnet.com> wrote in message

> I'm guessing the outdrive - they can whine just like what you describe.
> Usually not a Good Sign (universal?) - have it checked!

My Alpha 1 outdrive groans a little at low speed when it's in gear but
sounds fine at higher RPMs. Gotta get that checked but can't afford to take
it in right now.

-c

Mark Brotcke

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Jul 16, 2003, 11:58:49 AM7/16/03

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Ok I called my dealer and asked for another test drive this time with
me there. The dealer transfer me to the mechanic who did the first
test drive and this is what he said.
"the noise you are hearing is the bearings in the out drive being
broken in. all new boats will have this to some degree and it will
fade away over time. I personally test drove your boat after you asked
me to and am sure there is nothing wrong. The same thing will happen
to a car if you replace the bearings, but the noise is not so
prevalent."
Should I respect his opinion? Another local dealer said it would be
$85 for a test drive (free if there is a problem due to the fact it is
under warrantee)
I have 12 months left on my warrantee should I just wait it out?
there are only four hours on this engine so it is still in the
break-in period.

Mark

"Doug Meredith" <changethene...@rcn.net> wrote in message news:<vh9lo76...@news.supernews.com>...

Woodchuck

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Jul 16, 2003, 12:36:58 PM7/16/03

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$85 for a test ride... stay away from him. As for your problem I don't know
what's normal or not but would ask the tech when the noise will go away, and
can he show you another NEW boat that makes the same noise with the same
engine and outdrive? Other than that since you have a warranty enjoy the
boat for now and if it self destructs you will get a new one! I work in the
auto industry and I'd rather replace a complete unit than repair one which
is partly F****ed up.

"Mark Brotcke" <rug...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c5a13cc1.03071...@posting.google.com...