1999 340 DA V-drive noise

T

The W.A.V.E.

New Member
Mar 30, 2008
174
New Buffalo, Mi
Boat Info
340DA
Engines
7.4l mpi
Just curious if anyone or everyone has experienced the v-drive transmissions on their boat making a rattling noise like a bunch of marbles in a tin can. My mechanic says its normal at low idle. I have the boat for sale right now and the last prospective buyer passed on making an offer purely on the transmission noise.

I told him I have had it checked out and its harmless. I have read on other forums that it normal but Im curious how normal it is and if anyone knows why they make this noise. Thanks
 
that is not normal for my boat... Sounds like you might have some loose screws, on your coupler, and maybe on your mechanic...
 
That is very normal for you year SR it is the springs on the flex plate and the ratel should stop around 800 rpms some have others dont do not get excited over it.
 
Thanks everyone for your opinions. Skipperbuds has maintained the boat and I trust them. Just thought it would be nice to hear other sea ray owners opinions.
 
I had thought there was a post before about this noise being a symptom of the need for a tune-up (plugs especially) and that when they don't idle smoothly the vibration causes the plates in the transmissions to rattle?
 
My Hurth on the port side does the exact same thing. As someone else posted it is a rattle and above 800 rpms it goes away. Check your dipstick make sure that it is tight and holds seal you have to twist the T handle to loosen then make sure it's tight and seals well so that the pressure builds up. That minimized my noise.
 
The W.A.V.E. said:
Just curious if anyone or everyone has experienced the v-drive transmissions on their boat making a rattling noise like a bunch of marbles in a tin can. My mechanic says its normal at low idle. I have the boat for sale right now and the last prospective buyer passed on making an offer purely on the transmission noise.

I told him I have had it checked out and its harmless. I have read on other forums that it normal but Im curious how normal it is and if anyone knows why they make this noise. Thanks
Click to expand...

I've been dealing with this issue since July 2010. Just started one day. Spent a fortune trying to get it fixed. Look up transmission wow's on csr. My boat is also for sale. I know another guy wish a 390 that has the same issue. I have been able to get the noise to a managable state. Don't waste your money trying to fix it. I'm in $12k. Now they tell me it's normal. Boat runs great though when under power.
 
Last edited:
The W.A.V.E. said:
Just curious if anyone or everyone has experienced the v-drive transmissions on their boat making a rattling noise like a bunch of marbles in a tin can. My mechanic says its normal at low idle. I have the boat for sale right now and the last prospective buyer passed on making an offer purely on the transmission noise.

I told him I have had it checked out and its harmless. I have read on other forums that it normal but Im curious how normal it is and if anyone knows why they make this noise. Thanks
Click to expand...

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/33567-Transmission-wow-s?highlight=transmission+wow%27s
This is the link to transmission wow's.
 
My stbd tranny started doing the same thing about 6 weeks ago. I brought it to my mechanic who stated essentially the same things as above. My carb needs rebuilding which is causing the low, rough idle which in turn has caused this scissoring, sewing machine type sound from the transmission!!
 
Todd I noticed a little rattle too... It is not much and I until I read this thread I never gave it a second thought... Glad to hear, like the white exhaust, it is not something to get too concerned about...
 
When my port engine exhaust was "smelling" rich at idle at the dock and surging slightly at cruise RPMs last fall, I had the tranny rattle at idle as well. A new set of plugs cured all of it...
 
Rod,
I'm not sure about your white exhaust but, I had that last season and it continued to get worse and started to smell like antifreeze. I had the risers and manifolds done at that time and they were pretty crappy. They were six years old at the time.
I think I almost ended up with the situation Russ now finds himself in. Dodged a bullet there!! See these pics:


0818001920a.jpg0818001921.jpg0818001921b.jpg0818001920.jpgRod,
 
Last edited:
Carter,
According to the PO of my boat I was just entering the 7th year of use. They had 6 seasons on them I believe.
 
The white smoke I was referring to was steam that is common on humid day not from the antifreeze... If your your sea strainer get clogged or your raw water pump is not putting out enough water, it is more evident. I have new stainless steel one piece headers, so I am not worried about water ingestion. I have a repaired set of SS Hi-TEk manifolds for 7.4 MPI V-drives, that the manufacturer wants to sell if anyone is interested.
 
Flex plate noise is due to needing a tune up or idle set too low.
The engine isnt running smooth at low RPM.
(may sound fine)
A little noise is normal at idle speed in gear.
 
I have a 99 DA V-drive. I concur with all those who have said engine missing or tuneup. Mine has been exhibiting this type of noise since July and just diagnosed yesterday that I have zero compression on one of the cylinders. So my conclusion is transmission noise can be a result of rough running motor.
 
I know I'm late to this post. 100% certain it loose springs on the pressure plates. I had exact same issue and got it fixed. Problem all gone. Wasn't cheap as both motors needed to be pulled
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,247
Messages
1,429,186
Members
61,123
Latest member
Tim Duncan
Back
Top