Noisy Vibration From Engine Bay Hatch

[Al Andalus]

I have a really noisy vibration coming from my engine bay hatch. This only happens when I am at speed and seems to be coming from just under the hatch around where the table leg sits or in the middle of the hatch just under the rear seat. The boat is a SeaRay Sundancer, 360DA/395 International. If anyone has had similar and are able to help me out or even point me in the right direction I would really appreciate.

Many thanks
Al

 

[Michael Mirra]

Usually your second table top is stored under the hatch on a 360 DA. There is a good chance that is what's vibrating if you have one there

 

[The Bill Collector]

Our hatch squeaks when you walk on it (fiberglass rubbing fiberglass) I read on one these threads to use clear packing tape around the inside edge and it hasn't squeaked since....

 

[Al Andalus]

High Michael. The table was the first thing I checked as I have one that slides in under the hatch and a second that slides under the rear seat. I have stuck down some pads along the recess where the tables slide, both under the hatch and under the rear seat and they are fairly snug now so aren't in contact with any hard surface that could make the noise. I have also checked the hydraulic arm where it attaches onto the engine hatch as this has a split pin that you can release should power fail and need to lift hatch manually. I packed that area with grease so that wouldn't vibrate. Have checked all bolts and screws that I could see and checked those for tightness but that vibration noise is still there.

Bill Collector, I am going down to boat this weekend and figure your suggestion will be the next one to rule out. Gonna try and stick additional insulation tape around hatch edges to see if I can rule out the fibreglass on fibreglass vibration.

Thanks guys for your suggestions.

 

[Lazy Daze]

You don't mention if this is a new issue, or has been happening for a while, but I'll assume it's a new issue...

The question is whether or not something is causing the vibration, or is something on/around the hatch simply loose. The easier route is to check the hatch out - but you may want to at least take a visual look at the running gear. Back to the hatch... check the securing screws/bolts of the hinge, along with any other screw (table mount, hatch lift, etc) that is screwed into the hatch.

Look around the perimeter of the hatch at the spacing/gap. You may not hear it over the hatch motor, but try listening closely to different areas as someone slightly opens and closes the hatch. Try stepping lightly on various area of the hatch while the vibration is happening to narrow down the problem area.

But again, unless you find something obvious with the hatch, give your running gear a good once over.

 

[Flying Cloud]

Next time you go swimming or have the Boat outta the water,
check for Seaweed, Fishing line... on the Props or Imperfections.
Also, ask your self if you've had the Props Balanced, Repaired
(Props are never the same again after being repaired), did a Zink or two fall off or were they added to the Prop Shaft, are the Shafts Straight, are the Prop Nuts Tight, are the Aft most Propeller Shaft Supports to Hull too far ahead of the Propellers or too loose, are the Stuffing Boxes Leaking too much or too little, Engines aligned with Prop Shafts, are the Transmission Out Put Flange to Propeller Shaft Flange Bolts tight, are the Transmissions serviced correctly (Some require the more expensive TYP-F Transmission Fluid and Some Require Dextron III), Are the Fluid levels correct, Is the Transmission Fluid clean as the day it was poured in...
You get the Picture