Very Noisy in Forward

[C3058]

Two springs ago, I somehow ended up with water in my oil pan when I launched. Several oil changes later (over the course of an afternoon), the oil stopped being milky. I have always followed Don's recommendation to have about 1 quart of MMO in the oil, and have continued this, reasoning that the MMO may help "fix" the damage done by water immersion of some of the running gear. The main bearings probably did not suffer, since they would have been above the water level, but the transmission is my worry. I has been very noisy in forward ever since and it is getting worse. Reverse is about the same, but it is so noisy anyway, I'm not sure i would notice a difference. The noise and vibration are so bad, that i think the cracks in my coolant drain tube and oil pressure sender tree are related to that (see separate post "Oil Leak"). I am concerned that at some point, the whole gear train will self destruct.

So, the motor sounds like a sewing machine in neutral, but in forward, it sounds like a sewing machine full of gravel. It even seems to have a restriction, since it will stall when put in gear at low throttle. This does not happen when shifting into reverse, so a rich carb setting is probably not the issue.

I am thinking of doing (or having it done) a complete rebuild.

Does this sound like the right course of action?

Can the transmission be fully rebuilt with the motor in the boat? This is a Catalina 30, with pretty good access to all sides of the motor.

If i have to pull the motor anyway, it opens up a lot of other decisions.

[Marian Claire]

Have you removed the reversing gear cover to check for anything loose or missing? Dan S/V Marian Claire

[ArtJ]

Don has always recommended mystery oil in the gasoline, never more
than twice the few ounces recommended on the bottle.

As far as MMO in the oil goes, to my knowledge, the only time he
recommends use of it is temporarily to clear stuck valves and rings.

Regards

Art

[C3058]

I pulled the cover off, but did not drain the oil and to my eye everything looked OK, but i have never looked in there before...I did not rotate the engine or shift.

[Marian Claire]

I believe the manual has a picture of the reversing gear. I adjusted mine once and just laid the cover over when the engine was running and in gear. Maybe a piece of plastic wrap would minimize any oil slinging and give you a view of the gear as you shift while running? Have not tried that myself but just an idea. Dan S/V Marian Claire

[67c&ccorv]

Two springs ago, I somehow ended up with water in my oil pan when I launched. Several oil changes later (over the course of an afternoon), the oil stopped being milky. I have always followed Don's recommendation to have about 1 quart of MMO in the oil, and have continued this, reasoning that the MMO may help "fix" the damage done by water immersion of some of the running gear. The main bearings probably did not suffer, since they would have been above the water level, but the transmission is my worry. I has been very noisy in forward ever since and it is getting worse. Reverse is about the same, but it is so noisy anyway, I'm not sure i would notice a difference. The noise and vibration are so bad, that i think the cracks in my coolant drain tube and oil pressure sender tree are related to that (see separate post "Oil Leak"). I am concerned that at some point, the whole gear train will self destruct.

So, the motor sounds like a sewing machine in neutral, but in forward, it sounds like a sewing machine full of gravel. It even seems to have a restriction, since it will stall when put in gear at low throttle. This does not happen when shifting into reverse, so a rich carb setting is probably not the issue.

I am thinking of doing (or having it done) a complete rebuild.

Does this sound like the right course of action?

Can the transmission be fully rebuilt with the motor in the boat? This is a Catalina 30, with pretty good access to all sides of the motor.

If i have to pull the motor anyway, it opens up a lot of other decisions.

In reverse the drive has a 2 - 1 reduction so it should be easier for the motor to turn the prop shaft in reverse compared to forward which is 1 - 1.

Don't disregard your carb settings - you can find the baselines to start with in this forum.

Cheers!:)

[C3058]

While i appreciate the help about related topics on the tread i started, the main issue at hand is that my gear train is extremely noisy, seems to be getting worse and I want to know if I am facing a tear out or can the transmission be rebuilt in the boat through the top cover. In a Catalina 30, the access is excellent, but of the "bell housing" has to come off, the motor probably should be pulled from the boat to do that work.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks

[hanleyclifford]

Based on what I have read on this thread I suspect the forward pilot bearing (online catalogue #08-228). You will have to pull the engine.