Missing vac hose?

[CarreraDan]

Guys,
I got the boat out on the water for the first time this season this last weekend (2004 185 Sport 4.3L 190HP). Everything went very well and I even managed to slalom ski a little. So today I was poking around the engine compartment b/c the admirle commented that the boat was louder this year and I did notice a higher pitched whine that was dependent on RPM's--faster we went the louder it got. I tightend up some of the rubber bellows on the manifords as a few clamps were loose and that is about all I could find. All the fluid levels are normal and the drive oil was changed last spring, put 12 hours on it last summer as my work schedule never worked for boating. Anyway, I did notice that the distributor has a nipple for a vac line on the left side and nothing was attached to it--I didn't see any loose hoses anywhere in the engine compartment, anyone know if something connects here?

I think this might have to be the year for a wakeboard tower and new prop as I think I have really hit a wall on what tricks I can do with the rope down low--seems to be a much cheaper option than a new ski boat. Thanks for any help and hopefully this weekend the noise will not greet us.

 

[AndersonAcres]

I didn't take no vacuum hose.

 

[Sublimetime]

I dont think boats use the vacuum advance on the distributer. And one more thing, If you boat in salt water you might want to check your risers for clogged water outlets, A lack of water in the exhaust could cause the boat to sound louder than usual.

 

[ragnar113]

I have the exact same situation. I haven't looked very closely at the nipple but I did look briefly for a hose. None in the area on mine either. I asked a few folks 'in the know' who say they have never seen/heard of such a thing (that's disturbing!) but guess it MAY be an automotive distributor.

They told me to look for several things that will point to a marine distributor versus an automotive distributor....I haven't had time to check yet (I have to remove some 'stuff' to get at the critter): There will be one or more screened holes in the bottom and/or sides of the distributor just below where the cap ends (these are flame arrestors....go figure), also, the cap itself will fasten to the distributor with twist lock clamps as opposed to screws.

I might get to mine this week-end...if so, I'll post what I discover. If not, let me know what you find.

 

[Newbie]

The nipple is just a vent to allow condensation to escape with the change of temps, or at least thats my guess. Definitly not vacuum advance as it wouldn't be on the cap anyhow if it was, and surely not on an 04 model. SB

 

[sreill]

I have an annoying whine sound that starts up at maybe 1600 rpms and gets louder until I get to about 2400 rpms and it dissapears...

I just changed the raw water pump (I was overheating)..I thought this might solve that prob also (I was assuming that maybe it was a bearing)..The whine/sqeal is still there.

My mechanic is telling me its the engine sucking air and its normal (He didnt hear it, I explained it over the phone)

Its quite annoying and Im hoping to figure it out soon

 

[Newbie]

Maybe its the nipple on your distibutor cap??

Starting a new thread that pertains to your prob would be a good idea. SB