Shaft noises when motoring

[Brian Johnson]

Hello all,
The last few times I have been out on my sailboat, I have heard a disturbing noise which I believe is coming from the shaft when I first place the engine in gear. My boat is a CD 26 with the Westebeke 10hp diesel. The first time I heard the noise was after the boat had sat unused for about three weeks. The shaft seemed to be making a galling sound (like a rubbing noise). I checked the transmission fluid which had a normal appearance and level, and tried again. The noise was there and then went away after about a minutes operation in both forward and reverse. The boat has made the noise every time I start it since then, but always clears after about a minute or two of operation. The noise, however, is disturbing and seems to be taking a little longer to clear recently. The rubbing noise occassionally will occour after it has cleared when the motor is running at low rpm. I am wondering if this is a lack of lubrication and my packing nut needs adjustment, if it is a sign of problems with the cutlass bearing, or if it is something else more serious. Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be. Of note, the boat is now in the Medditeranean which has a significantly higher salinity level, which may have lead to some sort of verdigree build up limiting the flow of water through the packing. Thanks in advance.
Brian

[john]

Hello all,
The last few times I have been out on my sailboat, I have heard a disturbing noise which I believe is coming from the shaft when I first place the engine in gear. My boat is a CD 26 with the Westebeke 10hp diesel. The first time I heard the noise was after the boat had sat unused for about three weeks. The shaft seemed to be making a galling sound (like a rubbing noise). I checked the transmission fluid which had a normal appearance and level, and tried again. The noise was there and then went away after about a minutes operation in both forward and reverse. The boat has made the noise every time I start it since then, but always clears after about a minute or two of operation. The noise, however, is disturbing and seems to be taking a little longer to clear recently. The rubbing noise occassionally will occour after it has cleared when the motor is running at low rpm. I am wondering if this is a lack of lubrication and my packing nut needs adjustment, if it is a sign of problems with the cutlass bearing, or if it is something else more serious. Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be. Of note, the boat is now in the Medditeranean which has a significantly higher salinity level, which may have lead to some sort of verdigree build up limiting the flow of water through the packing. Thanks in advance.
Brian

Brian, when the shaft is rotating, is there water dripping? Water should drip slowly when it is turning, but not at rest. You may need to get in a locker & try to isolate by ear or feel. The cutlass bearing should let water through no matter how salty, unless it is blocked on the water side.



redzeplin@yahoo.com

[Andy Denmark]

You may be able to identify the noise source by using a stethoscope. Just place the side of the probe against the case of the transmission, packing gland, or hull. The loudest noise is usually closest to the source. Before doing this, I'd suggest you dive under the boat and see if something is impinging on the shaft. Also check the stuffing box with shaft turning, as suggested on a previous post. It should be obvious if the shaft is against the nut at the packing gland. I'd also check the rear seal on the transmission. I hope your noise isn't a transmission bearing. Neither of these is fun or cheap to repair and I hope this isn't your problem.

Hope this helps,

Andy Denmark
CD-27 "Rhiannon"
Oriental, NC



trekker@coastalnet.com

[Mark Yashinsky]

What about the cutlass bearing??? How much play was/is in it??? Have anything wrapped around the prop or shaft (even some thin twine)???