Bad Vibrations

[highflyn]

So, when I hammer on it to get out of the hole or run high RPM's (over 4K) I get this vibration that can be felt everywhere in the boat.
I noticed it towrds the end of last season, but thought it was the prop. Unfortunatly the vib is still there with the new prop.
I have not checked the prop shaft/engine allinment thing that the How-To pages talks about. Could this be the issue? I plan on checking it on friday, but was hoping for some reasurance that this is the problem..
Anyone else ever experince this sort of bad vib?
Terry

[blindside]

Yep, could be the drive shaft or alignment

[cyclone]

Check the prop to make sure that it is seated on the shaft, they can pop loose. THere is a procedure for seating the prop on the shaft in the owners manual, basically, you pull the prop and remove the key. then, put some valve grinding compound (a mild abrasive) and push the prop onto the tapered shaft, then turn clockwise 10 turns, CCW 10 turns until you get to 100 turns. You are then supposed to put Prussian  Blue (blue dye) on the shaft, and repeat a couple of turns, and stop when you determine that 60% of the Prussian blue is gone, which means that the prop is mated to the shaft. Then, reinstall the prop, key, nut and cotter pin. I did it and it got rid of a funky vibration problem I had several years back.

[Bitzco]

I had a little vibration problem on my old boat when I first got it. Had the packing on the shaft redone and the vibe went away and so did a bit of a leak. Hopefully yours is as easy.

[phenom_1819]

Terry, sounds like another problem for us to tackle next weekend. Sorry to hear you're out a second prop since it wasn't the problem...but at least now you can keep the dinged one as a spare.  You able to install (and maybe wakeboard) next weekend?  I could  bring my fake-a-lake and and a spray bottle (for the driveshaft packing) and we could play around with it out of the water -- who knows, maybe with two mechanical-idiots we'll see something...?

[highflyn]

I hope to have the problem solved by next weekend, but if i don't I would love a hand. Plan to seat the prop PROPerly, and check the shaft alingment tomorrow.
Im free to hit the lake Sunday the 3rd, but the weather is calling for rain. Thank god there always wrong...
Thanks for advice guys. By the way, if shaft alingment is out how do I get in back in?

[toyotafreak]

Cal, I've never squirted the packing while running on the hose, but it might be a good idea. (Kinda feel like stupid at this point for not thinking of protecting the packing from heat.) I did use the squirt bottle for cooling the prop strut bearing cool. Big thing is if you hear a nasty whining mechanical whine, it's probably that bearing.

As far as what we might do when the engine fails alignment checks....it's just a matter of getting a half-thousand pounds of Japanese aluminum to line up withing a few thousandths. I bleive there are four engine mounts. You've got to loosen them and then tweak to get her lined up.

I am so not looking forward to checking, for fear of having to align the engine. It can't be that easy, but it seems VERY important to keep engine and shaft lined up.

[highflyn]

I'll keep my fingers and toe's crossed for it not being out of alignment. I'm rooting for the prop not being seated properly. I can handle that job.Let you know what I discover tomorrow.

[highflyn]

Checked the alignment and when I rotated the shaft 90 deg and echeckedit the guage would not go in so I decided to take it to Ski Masters. Turnes out the alignment was OK but the prop was not seated correctly. I had them go ahead and fix it since it was there. Took it out for a spin and no more vib. But now I have a few more questions about the boat: What sorta WOT (RPM) do you guy's get out of your bat and what prop do you run? When im getting up to plane in a hurry my boat has shutter or heavy vibration. The mechanic that worked on the boat said it was probubly the horsepower bring the boat up to speed (but he would have to go for a ride to be sure) I'm hoping it's a V-drive thing and not another problem.
Terry
Cal, how the windy city? Started raining today and looks like it may be around for a while.

[phenom_1819]

Glad you got that fixed Terry.? As to the vibration at excelleration, mine doesn't do that...but I wonder if that MIGHT have something to do with plugs.? I doubt it, but if I remember correctly, before my plugs went, it did that just a little bit, but not every time.? And rememer, this is total speculation though from a guy that has no clue what he's talking about.? I don't even know what my prop size is.

Chicago is great.? Unfortunately haven't had any time to go exploring, though I think I'm heading to Michigan Ave today.? Heading home tomorrow, and looking forward to it... I miss the pup!

Derek -- I just threw the spraying the prop packing out there, seems like I've read it somewhere, but could have confused it with the strut.? I don't know.? I've never done it regardless because previous owner added the drip-less packing.

[toyotafreak]

Well $hit, Cal, MAN UP WITH THE DRIPLESS PACKING, ALREADY. Not to be spitting orders or nothing, but you better take some pics of that setup and post 'em. Had heard it'd been done, but didn't know our VillageIdiot was one.

[phenom_1819]

Will do.

[lesman01]

Check the prop to make sure that it is seated on the shaft, they can pop loose. THere is a procedure for seating the prop on the shaft in the owners manual, basically, you pull the prop and remove the key. then, put some valve grinding compound (a mild abrasive) and push the prop onto the tapered shaft, then turn clockwise 10 turns, CCW 10 turns until you get to 100 turns. You are then supposed to put Prussian  Blue (blue dye) on the shaft, and repeat a couple of turns, and stop when you determine that 60% of the Prussian blue is gone, which means that the prop is mated to the shaft. Then, reinstall the prop, key, nut and cotter pin. I did it and it got rid of a funky vibration problem I had several years back.

I got my new ACME prop today and pulled the old one off. All ready to seat the new one on. What the heck is Prussian Blue and where do I get it? Plus, since I don't often grind valves, i need to get that compound,too. I guess any auto parts store should have that? I want to make sure to do it right so i get rid of the annoying vibration. 

[cyclone]

I didn't find any Prussian Blue either, but I did find a small tube of valve lapping compound in Zona del Auto. Look near the permatex.

[Bitzco]

I didn't use any of that stuff. I just followed the instructions that came with the ACME. lube the shaft (heh, heh, he said lube the shaft), put it on without the keychuck or whatever that little thing is, mark how far it goes on the shaft, take it off, put it back on with the keychuck and make sure it goes all the way to the line you marked when there was no keychuck installed. It took several tries to get it to that line.  It worked for me. I ain't had no stinking vibration.