I've developed a squealing noise when I throttle up under load. It's quite high pitched to start with then tapers
off a little and I'm wondering if the new engine has exposed a worn cutlass bearing. It seems to emanate from
the lazarette area. What do you think ??.

I have a similar problem at certain revs , my cutlass bearing is ok so is the stern gland . I was a bit concerned but I've done 250 hours now and it's no different . I think mine is harmonics with the new engine and prop at a certain rev range . So I go above or below it .

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oldboyracer said..
I have a similar problem at certain revs , my cutlass bearing is ok so is the stern gland . I was a bit concerned but I've done 250 hours now and it's no different . I think mine is harmonics with the new engine and prop at a certain rev range . So I go above or below it .

Thanks OB. I'll have to take a bit more notice next time down. If I take it real easy throttling up there's hardly any sound but
that means just inching it open however if I rev up normally there's quite a racket going on. Can the bearings only be checked for wear out of the water ?.

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samsturdy said..
I've developed a squealing noise when I throttle up under load. It's quite high pitched to start with then tapers
off a little and I'm wondering if the new engine has exposed a worn cutlass bearing. It seems to emanate from
the lazarette area. What do you think ??.

G'day Sam.
I had a high pitched squeal once and found that the PSS shaft seal was the culprit.
Have a look at the link - scroll down to the bottom and read the bit about high pitched squealing.

http://www.powerequipment.com.au/expert-fingers-how-to-install-a-pss-shaft-seal/

The two rotating faces may be slipping causing the noise. This can be remedied by increasing the pressure on the faces or perhaps you don't have enough water flow to the seal.
I hope this helps.

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NowandZen said..

samsturdy said..
I've developed a squealing noise when I throttle up under load. It's quite high pitched to start with then tapers
off a little and I'm wondering if the new engine has exposed a worn cutlass bearing. It seems to emanate from
the lazarette area. What do you think ??.

G'day Sam.
I had a high pitched squeal once and found that the PSS shaft seal was the culprit.
Have a look at the link - scroll down to the bottom and read the bit about high pitched squealing.

http://www.powerequipment.com.au/expert-fingers-how-to-install-a-pss-shaft-seal/

The two rotating faces may be slipping causing the noise. This can be remedied by increasing the pressure on the faces or perhaps you don't have enough water flow to the seal.
I hope this helps.

Thanks NZ. I 'm trying to trace exactly whereabouts the noise is, Missus hasn't been down so a bit awkward on your own,
but I think it's too far aft to be the PSS.

Sam,
also check out the control cable from the engine. It may be carrying noise from the engine and using the lazzarett amplify it,, similar to how a tuning fork works when its placed against a guitar or piano body. I'm not sure what system you have or how its mounted so it may not be the case at all,, but I have spent many hours chasing down noises for customers, especially in hydraulics and has turned out to be noise transmitted through control cables and amplified on a panel mount.

Check your engine alignment. New mounts settle after the first 20 hrs. I just checked my new Vetus as developed a small vibration. Adjusted and now perfect.

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samsturdy said..
I've developed a squealing noise when I throttle up under load.

I get that when I jam my thumb between the throttle and the wheel.

Have you tried burping the seal? Triples seals need a little water for lubrication. By pulling back the seal and easing a few drips of water out (and expelling the air) might just fix it.

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santanasaga said..
Have you tried burping the seal? Triples seals need a little water for lubrication. By pulling back the seal and easing a few drips of water out (and expelling the air) might just fix it.

Hi Sant. I have a PSS with a nipple and clear plastic tube that allows the PSS to breathe so it's always full of water. ( also tells you where water level is ).
Thanks all. I'm thinking next time out I might just call in to the local Shipwright and get him to have a listen. Might be a future job for him.

Have you recently applied prop speed ?

Check the simple things first. Are you sure you don't have a slipping v belt?

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troubadour said..
Check the simple things first. Are you sure you don't have a slipping v belt?

Shane. Propspeed was applied last haulout November last year.

Troub. No slipping belt but a good point as it is similar to the sound of a belt slipping on a car.

Could it be your prop singing? On my boat it sounded more like a gear whine than a belt slip. However in my research I was told prop singing is fairly common after Propspeed application if the coating is allowed to thicken the trailing edge. In my case it was just the application of antifoul on the prop and it gradually receded as the prop became fouled over 12mths. Just a thought.

we also have a squealing Nosie problem its when the kite goes up in 30 knots and all the crew start squealing

So, I took the boat to the local shipwright today. He poked his head in the engine room and in the lazarette while
I revved the boat back and forth. He declared it not to be a bearing problem or in fact any mechanical fault. He said
there was no vibration to suggest worn bearings or anything loose and it wasn't the PSS.
He reckoned it was propwash. The vortex effect coming off the end of the blades was transmitting through the hull.
So I just rang Glen at D H Porters, 'Yes' he said "very common' He told me the way to eliminate it is to file away about
3 or 4 mm from the tip of each blade to make a flat end rather than a round end, this upsets the vortex.
So it looks like a call to the diver to take the prop off so Glen can work his magic. Nobody else will touch it as it has
to be re -balanced. Still better that than having to put it on the hard to get bearings changed.

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samsturdy said..
So, I took the boat to the local shipwright today. He poked his head in the engine room and in the lazarette while
I revved the boat back and forth. He declared it not to be a bearing problem or in fact any mechanical fault. He said
there was no vibration to suggest worn bearings or anything loose and it wasn't the PSS.
He reckoned it was propwash. The vortex effect coming off the end of the blades was transmitting through the hull.
So I just rang Glen at D H Porters, 'Yes' he said "very common' He told me the way to eliminate it is to file away about
3 or 4 mm from the tip of each blade to make a flat end rather than a round end, this upsets the vortex.
So it looks like a call to the diver to take the prop off so Glen can work his magic. Nobody else will touch it as it has
to be re -balanced. Still better that than having to put it on the hard to get bearings changed.

I wouldn't spend the money. It may well go away on its own when the prop gets a bit dirty or just change the speed you motor at to avoid it.
If it isn't getting worse or causing damage there are workarounds.

Just leave it till you go on the slips next and just motor less, sail more! Relax.

Yeah, righto you two, that's taking the easy way out but i want my boat to be perfect in every way. Actually
it's no big deal getting the prop off and I would prefer to eliminate uneccessary niggles and it does niggle
me a bit so I will go ahead and do it.

Except getting the prop off might not fix it. It is only a theory at the moment.
No boat is perfect. It is being unable to accept a small compromise that can send a sailor, or car buff, broke.

That's true MB, so the compromise is, I'm going to live with it until next slip and maybe deal with it then.

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MorningBird said..
No boat is perfect. It is being unable to accept a small compromise that can send a sailor, or car buff, broke.

I'm hearin ya!!

Hi Sam

If the noise is coming from the prop and the end of the blades need to be trimmed to stop it why has it only jest developed and not been there all of the time

Regards Don

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MorningBird said..
Except getting the prop off might not fix it. It is only a theory at the moment.
No boat is perfect. It is being unable to accept a small compromise that can send a sailor, or car buff, broke.

Or nuts!

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Donk107 said..
Hi Sam

If the noise is coming from the prop and the end of the blades need to be trimmed to stop it why has it only jest developed and not been there all of the time

Regards Don

Don, if I remember correctly Sam had a new prop when he installed a new engine not very long ago.

To seek out and pursue in rectifying the niggle is a good attitude to have,,, it often differentiates a good operator from a bad one,
Well done Sam

If it ain't itchy, don't scratch it.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I've resurrected this thread because when I went out yesterday Missus was on board and I got her to listen for
the squealing noise...except it wasn't there. So looking back at the replies on this blog I noticed MB has stated
that the noise might disappear when the prop gets a bit dirty, and so it has. So is that indicative that in fact I have
a 'singing prop' ?. If so then I'll get it back when the prop is cleaned and Propspeeded again. It's quite loud and
I don't like listening to it. Is it worth getting the prop re-tuned do you think ?.

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samsturdy said..
I've resurrected this thread because when I went out yesterday Missus was on board and I got her to listen for
the squealing noise...except it wasn't there. So looking back at the replies on this blog I noticed MB has stated
that the noise might disappear when the prop gets a bit dirty, and so it has. So is that indicative that in fact I have
a 'singing prop' ?. If so then I'll get it back when the prop is cleaned and Propspeeded again. It's quite loud and
I don't like listening to it. Is it worth getting the prop re-tuned do you think ?.

Nah, just use hard antifoul on the prop next time.

Leading edge of the blades are too sharp. Growth on the prop has rounded off the leading edge. Same thing happens with centreboards on planing dinghies and the fix there is the same, round off the leading edge.

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samsturdy said..
I've resurrected this thread because when I went out yesterday Missus was on board and I got her to listen for
the squealing noise...except it wasn't there. So looking back at the replies on this blog I noticed MB has stated
that the noise might disappear when the prop gets a bit dirty, and so it has. So is that indicative that in fact I have
a 'singing prop' ?. If so then I'll get it back when the prop is cleaned and Propspeeded again. It's quite loud and
I don't like listening to it. Is it worth getting the prop re-tuned do you think ?.

Mine sing at 1800 give or take and mostly port side , when they have been covered in Propspeed , doing something abut it one day is on the to do list but because its a boat the list is very long hahaha