280 Outdrive has developed a vibration at higher RPM-gctid814287

[Guest]

We have an 83, Contessa 28' Bayliner with a 280 outdrive that we recently serviced the outdrive, unfortunately it has developed a growl or vibration at higher RPM's.

We went out for over an hour with the RPM at between 32 - 3500 RPM with what appeared to be no ill affects. After an hour of constant running at that level the drive developed the intermittent growling noise or vibration, perhaps some imbalance?

Reducing the RPM to about 2500 stopped the issue and we returned to port at that speed, running for almost another 30 to 45 min.

Not sure what the next steps should be? Pull the boat immediately and check the drive or observe and see if this is a cruising time issue that happens after running for X amount of time at higher RPM's?

Has anyone had experience with this type of issue? I know there is not much to go on here other than a reference to a sound or possible vibration.

Thanks in advance for any insights on this obscure issue.

[driz]

Had that 2 years ago with my Alpha. A mechanics stethoscope will help you zero in on where it's really at. If it's in the top it might be the bearing set , upper one the universal joint. On mine you can't service either without tearing the whole drive down which really sucks.

Most likely scenario though is that it's your gimble bearing that the drive shaft is supported by. Does it change pitch as you steer port and starboard?

Probably the Gimble bearing which is common. Does it change pitch when you steer side to side hard?

[Amadaies]

No gimble bearing on a AQ 280

[2850Bounty]

Tell us what "recently serviced" means!

In other words What all was done, and how was it done?

Was the entire drive removed from the transom shield?

Were just the transmission and lower unit removed?

Were the bearing crosses replaced?

Was this work performed by a shop with experienced AQ Series guys?

[2850Bounty]

Did we lose the OP on this one?

.

[Guest]

Unfortunately serviced means that the fluid was changed by a mechanic and he then looked at the Bellows. If there was more done to the drive I'm not aware of it.

Sorry, I know we aren't giving everyone much to go on here.

[Guest]

At the time, we had the boat out to have the bottom painted and a mechanic was asked to look at a steering issue that we had.

As to the questions about "Was the entire drive removed from the transom shield?

Were just the transmission and lower unit removed?

Were the bearing crosses replaced?

Was this work performed by a shop with experienced AQ Series guys?" I believe the answer is no to all of the above.

Thanks

[2850Bounty]

"jpkkeck" post=814507 wrote:
Unfortunately serviced means that the fluid was changed by a mechanic and he then looked at the Bellows. If there was more done to the drive I'm not aware of it.

Sorry, I know we aren't giving everyone much to go on here.

[color]blue wrote:
Yep...... unfortunately "servicing" has taken on a different meaning these days.

OK..... if all they did was to change the gear oil then your vibration must be new, or you are just now noticing it.

Regarding the gear oil........ this should be 30W Engine Oil ONLY..... not heavy gear oil!

By chance was this a Mercruiser shop? If so, check to see which gear oil was used! (these shops will sometimes inadvertantly use Merc gear oil)

Common vibration causes:

....... bearing crosses are worn out and need to be replaced.

....... PDS bearings are worn out and need to be replaced.

....... if this occurs only while in gear, bad or damaged prop and/or prop hub

....... if this occurs only while in gear, bent prop shaft

Keep asking your questions, and do some more investigating. [/color]

[Guest]

Here is the mechanic's summary of services:

LABOR service outdrive complete

change oil

pull out fishing line, Service prop

clean growth, lube cables, clean seals

replace drive zinc anodes, tapped holes

secure reverse latch linkage

strapped down to limit pin

$ 85.00 & $297.50

LABOR found bad steering linkage

repaired steering linkage

clean and lube cables

run out under load

replace upper station steering cable - has limited movement

replace steering helm - old non compatible helm

remove panels for access

clean out guide tubes and service steering system

$ 85.00 & $ 552.50

1 STEERING 21 foot cable and helm system $239.00 & $239.00T

1 ZINC prop shaft zinc $28.00 & 28.00T

1 ZINC volvo bar zinc 24.00 & 24.00T

3 OIL delco oil 7.90 & $23.70T

1 Service Call Service Calls to marina 75.00 & 75.00

1 Service Call Service Call to Marina Shipyard 75.00 & 75.00 (outdrive serviced here)

Thanks for any suggestions and help with this issue,

John

[2850Bounty]

[color]blue wrote:
It looks like you were posting while I was still typing. [/color]

At the time, we had the boat out to have the bottom painted and a mechanic was asked to look at a steering issue that we had.

As to the questions about "Was the entire drive removed from the transom shield?

Were just the transmission and lower unit removed?

Were the bearing crosses replaced?

Was this work performed by a shop with experienced AQ Series guys?" I believe the answer is no to all of the above.

Thanks

[color]blue wrote:


I asked about the trans and lower unit to learn if the shop actually employed AQ series trained technicians. All too often the old guys have long since retired, and the young guys do not know the AQ series.

If you do not have any history of the bearing crosses having been replaced, this should be done.

If you also do not have any history of the PDS bearings having been replaced, this too should be done.

These are industry standard parts that can be purchased from suppliers without going through Volvo Penta.

I'll read your most recent post in a minute! [/color]

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply, can we cause damage by monitoring this for a while or should the boat be taken out right away and checked out.

The vibration did happen after more than an hour at cruising speed and it seems to come and go.

I'd like to take it out again and try and determine how long it will take to develop the vibration and what is the starting RPM as well as at what RPM it goes away.

Thanks again,

John

[2850Bounty]

"jpkkeck" post=814523 wrote:
Thanks for the reply, can we cause damage by monitoring this for a while or should the boat be taken out right away and checked out.

The vibration did happen after more than an hour at cruising speed and it seems to come and go.

I'd like to take it out again and try and determine how long it will take to develop the vibration and what is the starting RPM as well as at what RPM it goes away.

Thanks again,

John

[color]blue wrote:


John, I am at a disadvantage given that I cannot have "hands on"..... so it is tough for me to tell just what is causing this.

I will suggest that in my 24+ years of doing AQ series work, the common things that cause a vibration are:

..... bearing crosses in need of replacement.

These will rumble and cause vibration depending on the angle of articulation (drive trim/drive port/stbd turn angle).

..... PDS bearings in need of replacement.

These will also rumble and growl..... and in particular when articulating while up on step.

...... bent propeller shaft.

If not too severely bent, the 280 prop shaft can be removed and straightened.

A 280 prop shaft can also be replaced without the need to perform any shimming changes........ and DO NOT be fooled by a shop who would be telling you otherwise!

If left unattended, PDS bearing failure can take out the flywheel cover "snout", the drive shaft, the transmission front collar, sometimes the PDS itself, etc.

...... PDS bearing replacement ONLY. Not too expensive comaritively!

...... Good used Flwheel Cover ($400 + labor), transmission universal drive shaft ($600 + labor), transmission front collar ($350 + labor) not to mention the labor for engine R&R, etc.

.[/color]

[Guest]

Thanks for the information, all very interesting and most likely exactly what we are experiencing.

I think that our next step should be to get this checked out, the only problem will be finding someone who is qualified to do the work.

I'll keep this thread open and let you know how this turns out.

Thanks again,

John

[Guest]

After speaking with a mechanic, he is saying that we will need to pull the boat out and remove the engine in order to replace the bearing that were listed in earlier posts on this thread.

He will make a detailed list of charges that I would like to post here just to make sure they are correct.

His early estimate without itemizing is right about 2K for the work needed, without any extras included.

Thanks for any input that seems pertinent.

John

[Guest]

Thanks again for the reply and information. I'm still waiting for the detailed estimate on the work needed.

As soon as we have that I'll post it here for review.

John