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Strange Whine coming from Outboard
gerobertson1	#1  Posted on 08/18/08 - 9:38 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 65 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/06/08	I have an 84' Johnson 115. The last few times I have been out it seems to have a strange whine to it. The sound is equivalent to the sound you might hear in a manual car transmission when cruising at highway speeds. That makes me think it must be some kind of transmission noise in the outboard. I am wondering if this is somewhat normal, or if it is a sign that I am going to need to replace something soon. Could it perhaps be the Water Pump? I know that this question is highly vague and my description is pretty poor, but maybe one of you folks will read this post and be able to relate to it. Thanks in advance for your help!
Phil T	#2  Posted on 08/18/08 - 9:59 AM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 7043 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	Is the sound present at low speed? If so, is the sound heard while the engine is on the muffs? While waiting for more support, check your lower unit oil level. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
Binkie	#3  Posted on 08/18/08 - 10:30 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 2012 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/19/05	Can`t imagine what it sounds like. My std trans. car makes no such sound, and outboards have no transmission. Is the sound audible on the muffs in gear, or nuetral. Don`t know if a gearcase noise could be heard when underway. rich
gerobertson1	#4  Posted on 08/18/08 - 11:18 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 65 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/06/08	The noise is only heard while underway and can be heard at all speeds. I had filled the lower unit at the beginning of the season. Bot has probably had 7 hours put on it this season. After each use I store it back in my garage and have not seen any lower unit oil leaking on the garage floor. My instincts tell me to approach the noise as noise coming from the lower unit. However, I have had very little experience rebuilding outboard motors, and I am trying to trouble shoot this as much as possible. Could there possibly be some bearings that might make a whining sound? Also, the pitch of the whine rises with the RPM's.
Phil T	#5  Posted on 08/18/08 - 12:08 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 7043 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	My last easy suggestion is to drop the lower unit and inspect/replace the water pump. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
gerobertson1	#6  Posted on 08/18/08 - 12:46 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 65 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/06/08	I am very suspicious of the water pump my self. I would say it is well over due for a replacement.
moose	#7  Posted on 08/18/08 - 3:14 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 543 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/07/07	G, I had an early 70's 65 Evinrude that developed a sort of knock or heavy click that was speed related. It changed with rpm. It turned out to be a broken tooth on one of the gears in the lower unit. Parts were fairly expensive and a tricky rebuild but it solved the problem. Mike