www.iFourWinns.com

I just noticed that after a good ride that there is a noise in the back, sounds like the drive area, only when in neutral. If I shift into forward or reverse the noise goes away. It is not extremely loud but is very noticeable. The noise is not there on a cold start. It sounds steady like a bearing noise, but why would it go away in gear.

1995 190 horizon, 5.0mpi Ford, OMC/Volvo drive

whats the gear/drive oil look like? and is it smelly and thin

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"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Fresh synthetic drive oil installed, I checked the stick and it looks fine right now.

did you drain out the old fluid yourself, if so what did it look like? was it shimery like metal was in it or did it just look a little dirty.

if it was clean I would suspect the start of a bad gimble bearing.

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

I have heard of the Volvo drives with the cone clutch sometimes making noise in neutral and not in gear. I'd see if you can ask a Volvo tech and see what they say. I'm surprised my old dog clutch Cobra is as quiet as it is. No noise and just a "thunk" going into gear but you really don't hear anything.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

if this drive has a cone clutch design like in a sx or dp drive, in neutral the cone clutch is not moving because it is not touching any gear, It doesnt turn until it is locked into either the forward or reverse gear. which in turn moves the vertical shaft.
all three gears are moving all of the time even in neutral

I have completely dissasembled my spare dp drive to scavenge any parts that were good and also to see how it all works(previous owner had a seal go and it sat all one summer full of salt water and destroyed almost everything)

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

I did change the fluid myself and it was very clean. The previous owner of my boat only used it a few times a year and changed the fluids every year. I wasnt going to change it this sping when I bought it but wanted to verify for sure what was in the drive. The strange part is that the noise isnt heard until a good 15-20 min cruise is taken. I was out today and never left no wake speed for about 15 min and no noise was heard. Unfortunately I was just dock jumping today so i didnt get to take it out for a good run, but I will be out tomorow and maybe I can get some more info on the noise and report back.