a little engine squeal

[supremedevice]

I’m having a little squeal happen every now and then in my 2013 303 engine. It will sometimes squeal for maybe 5 seconds usually when I return to a downed rider. It started after I changed the impeller early this season, and in order to change the impeller you have to remove and replace the serpentine belt so I'm assuming that is the source of the squeak. The belt tensioner pulley seems to be tight and fully functional. Any ideas as to why it might be slipping/squealing?

[Thegerman618]

Yep, sounds like you need some belt dressing. Pretty easy stuff run the motor and spray some on there till the squeal stops. This is a common problem, I haven't changed a belt and not had to run some dressing eventually.

[mnpracing]

does it correspond to when the propeller is coming to a stop?

[supremedevice]

No it does not correlate with the prop coming to a stop. It happens at slightly above idle speed, and usually when I've got the wheel turned. Come to think of it now maybe I'll check the steering cable's proximity to the belt ...

[mnpracing]

No it does not correlate with the prop coming to a stop. It happens at slightly above idle speed, and usually when I've got the wheel turned. Come to think of it now maybe I'll check the steering cable's proximity to the belt ...

steering cable shouldn't be anywhere near the belt. Couple of other considerations to start eliminating potential sources:

1. How many hours since the tranny fluid was replaced?
2. Vdrive fluid level correct?
3. how many hours since belt was replaced with a new one?
4. try flipping the impeller over or replace again (since you mentioned it started when the impeller was replaced)
5. hours since last shaft/engine alignment?
6. do you have the original PSS shaft seal, or has it been replaced with an XPS seal (red boot with blue cap)?
7. when you replaced the impeller, did you remove the pulley on the water pump? If so, may try removing and reinstalling pulley making sure to tighten the bolts evenly like you would tighten lugnuts on a wheel.
8. hours since rudder was greased?

Mike

[dj2]

Only time I get a squeal is if the bilge gets a little full and I turn sharply, little water splashes on the balancer pulley and it will squeal for a second.

[supremedevice]

Oh man, Mike, your making me nervous! I'm a beginner when it comes to mechanics on these things, but I like to learn.

1,3, 5 & 8: Never. The boat has about 250 hrs. How often should you do these things?
2: Not sure how to check the VDrive fluid level.
6: Shaft seal replaced at about 50 hrs. I assume it’s the XPS, but I’ll confirm.
7: Good thought. I was pretty cognizant of this when reinstalling, but I’ll try again to see if that helps.

I always appreciate your help, thanks.

[Tulsah]

I find this is usually telltale of water on the belt. Mine did this when a pulley wore through the side of the shower line. It could also get wet from water dripping through the engine cover.

[mnpracing]

Oh man, Mike, your making me nervous! I'm a beginner when it comes to mechanics on these things, but I like to learn.

1,3, 5 & 8: Never. The boat has about 250 hrs. How often should you do these things?
2: Not sure how to check the VDrive fluid level.
6: Shaft seal replaced at about 50 hrs. I assume it’s the XPS, but I’ll confirm.
7: Good thought. I was pretty cognizant of this when reinstalling, but I’ll try again to see if that helps.

I always appreciate your help, thanks.

How often to do these things is a loaded question for me.. haha... I have 305 hours and do oil/filter and trans fluid every 20-25 hours, impeller every spring, belt once a year. To check v-drive, look in the manual for specifics, but there are two plugs just above the water inlet and outlet on the v-drive. use a 3/8 box wrench to loosen one to check the fluid level. Couple others have posted about water potentially splashing onto the belt....make sure your auto-bilge is working properly. Let me know if you want a hand with anything, happy to help.