www.iFourWinns.com

This is my second season with my 2000 Horizon 200, 5.0l Volvo Penta SX. Last week we set out with some friends but only made it a few hundred feet from the dock due to a loud whining noise coming from the outdrive. Noticed that it goes away by raising the trim slightly while underway. It also makes the noise when turning the wheel hard to port or starboard, when manuevering at the dock.

I checked that there is enough trim fluid and it was fine, and the outdrive fluid- it was about a half quart low! I drained a bit and there isn't any sign of water.

I took it out again today to see if that fixed it, and the noise is less, but still there at some speeds with the trim all the way down. . I've typically run the outdrive trimmed all the way down in the past and haven't heard this noise before.

The noise sounds like gearing, sortof like when you engage 4wd in a truck, but louder... I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this or had any suggestions before I take it to a mechanic. I'm fearing that running it a half quart low killed a gear. .

I'd be more inclined to suspect u-joints.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

What did the U-joints look like when you pulled the drive last year?

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1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

Hmm, well I didn't pull the drive- what I could see of the bellows looked fine though. Sounds like I need to pull it and inspect/repair the u joints. I knocked off the bottom corner of the skeg last year so I was mentally preparing for pulling it this winter and welding in new aluminum. Wish this had waited until October!

Thanks for the replies...