Whining noise

targabill · 07-01-2023, 04:19 PM

Hey All Boaters,
I have a 1988 Mercruiser, V6 175hp seams to be running quite nice but just started making a whining noise. At first I thought a bad U-Joint on the outdrive, but they looked good, Greased them, changed the oil eyc..
Back to the noise, any ideas?? Could it be the alternator bearings?? Maybe the water pump..
Thanks in advance..

-Bill
Don't want to get stranded......

ITD · 07-01-2023, 05:50 PM

Nothing to help you Bill, but I suspect if we don't get the forecast rain over the next few days there might be quite a few whining noises on this forum about the Captain Boneheads of the lake.

Happy Forth!!

Oh, and a little bit of help, a mechanics stethoscope might help isolate the noise. Probably a bearing of something getting ready to fail. Harbor freight tool in Gilford should have some.

TiltonBB · 07-01-2023, 05:55 PM

There are a lot of things it could be. If the noise changes pitch as the engine RPM's go up and down check your gimbal bearing.

targabill · 07-02-2023, 06:47 AM

I hear you with the other kind of whining

I already have a stethoscope so I can do investigating!!

Ahh yes, The Gimbal bearing, I made a tool a long time ago to remove said bearing... I still have the outdrive off, good time to check that..
Oh, BTW, yes it does change pitch with RPM's..

Happy 4th Everybody!!
-Bill

targabill · 07-03-2023, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

There are a lot of things it could be. If the noise changes pitch as the engine RPM's go up and down check your gimbal bearing.

Hey TiltonBB, You hit the nail on the head, Gimbal Bearing is very rough turning...

-Bill

targabill · 07-03-2023, 01:54 PM

Anybody use an aftermarket gimbal bearing? Made in us, carbide steel and $100 less than OEM??

Loventhelake · 07-04-2023, 08:08 AM

Don’t use anything aftermarket!!!! You’ll be sorry.
I’m a marine tech and know first hand of aftermarket junk!
That is unless, you want to do it again in a year.

Dave R · 07-12-2023, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by targabill

Anybody use an aftermarket gimbal bearing? Made in us, carbide steel and $100 less than OEM??

I'd be reluctant to use it. Try to find an OEM gimbal bearing that can be greased, those permanently-lubed bearings are not as good, IMO.

07-01-2023, 04:19 PM	#1
targabill Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 28 Thanks: 5 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Whining noise Hey All Boaters, I have a 1988 Mercruiser, V6 175hp seams to be running quite nice but just started making a whining noise. At first I thought a bad U-Joint on the outdrive, but they looked good, Greased them, changed the oil eyc.. Back to the noise, any ideas?? Could it be the alternator bearings?? Maybe the water pump.. Thanks in advance.. -Bill Don't want to get stranded......

07-01-2023, 05:50 PM	#2
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,920 Thanks: 475 Thanked 691 Times in 387 Posts	Nothing to help you Bill, but I suspect if we don't get the forecast rain over the next few days there might be quite a few whining noises on this forum about the Captain Boneheads of the lake. Happy Forth!! Oh, and a little bit of help, a mechanics stethoscope might help isolate the noise. Probably a bearing of something getting ready to fail. Harbor freight tool in Gilford should have some.

07-01-2023, 05:55 PM	#3
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 2,979 Thanks: 688 Thanked 2,190 Times in 926 Posts	There are a lot of things it could be. If the noise changes pitch as the engine RPM's go up and down check your gimbal bearing.

07-02-2023, 06:47 AM	#4
targabill Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 28 Thanks: 5 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I hear you with the other kind of whining I already have a stethoscope so I can do investigating!! Ahh yes, The Gimbal bearing, I made a tool a long time ago to remove said bearing... I still have the outdrive off, good time to check that.. Oh, BTW, yes it does change pitch with RPM's.. Happy 4th Everybody!! -Bill

The Following User Says Thank You to targabill For This Useful Post:
TiltonBB (07-03-2023)

07-03-2023, 01:54 PM	#6
targabill Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 28 Thanks: 5 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Anybody use an aftermarket gimbal bearing? Made in us, carbide steel and $100 less than OEM??

07-04-2023, 08:08 AM	#7
Loventhelake Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 58 Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Don’t use anything aftermarket!!!! You’ll be sorry. I’m a marine tech and know first hand of aftermarket junk! That is unless, you want to do it again in a year.