Hey folks, another maintenance question about my 1977 3396 mariner. I have the twin 350 PCM engines, and when I get over 1200 RPM or so, I get a squealing belt on my starboard engine. The belts look good and tight, I get no overheating and the alternator keeps everything charged, so I don't know what's up. any good ideas on how to troubleshoot?
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Squealing belt on Starboard Engine
- Thread starter mhanch
- Start date
I've got sort of the same thing going on with my Port Engine. Squeals the first time you get it over 1500 rpms. for about 10 seconds then goes away and never hear it again all day. Of course.....it's really hard to tell this year seeing as how the boat is STILL at the canvas shop. (going on THREE weeks now)
I had a squeal when starting our MerC. The belts looked good but were old. I tightened, still some squeal. New belts with less tension do not squeal. I was able to enter the MerC part numbers into a belt company's site, think it was Goodyear or Dayco, and get crossover numbers. Bouught the belts at a discount auto supply co and kept old as spares. Why not change belts on that engine and see what it does...?
Might be better to post this in Engines/Electrical. The belt problem and engine type is more important than the boat it's in.
Might be better to post this in Engines/Electrical. The belt problem and engine type is more important than the boat it's in.
JD's probably right - try changing the belts...
Bruce, thanks for the concern about wearing the bearings out on the alternator. I tried to strike a balance between overtightening the damn thing and dealing with the horrendous squeal. Eventually I got something that worked, and still seems ok. Honestly though, I plan to replace my alternators anyway since Pleasurecraft used really chintzy 35-amp units on their engines...
Gary, any update on your plans to visit the Hudson - send me an email when you get the chance...
Bruce, thanks for the concern about wearing the bearings out on the alternator. I tried to strike a balance between overtightening the damn thing and dealing with the horrendous squeal. Eventually I got something that worked, and still seems ok. Honestly though, I plan to replace my alternators anyway since Pleasurecraft used really chintzy 35-amp units on their engines...
Gary, any update on your plans to visit the Hudson - send me an email when you get the chance...
Plans are still a go with just a few modifications.
I've been meaning to E-Mail you but have been battling with myself for a nice way to put it because you've put alot of time and effort into helping me out with this. Looks like we ARE coming but it looks like we're going to be staying at the Kingston Town Docks.
They tell me they have water and electric and the difference is
$180.00 vs. $120.15......60 bucks is 60 bucks is 60 bucks.......You and I can spend that 60 bucks at the restaurant at your marina. I'm assuming that I'd still be able to come in and pay you a visit?
The dates are still the same although I just last week realized that I initially screwed up. I thought the 4th was on Thursday for some reason and had planned on being the Wednesday and then Karen brought it to my attention that the 4th was a Friday so it'll still be the 3rd 4th and 5th but we'll just probably find a spot or two to hook-it on the way down. Actually gives us an extra day to get there.
Then again.....this still all depends on wether or not I get my Boat back from the Canvas Shop by then. LOL
Also as pertinent to THIS thread....I plan on changing all the belts before we go and keeping the current ones as spares. I already know they're not gonna last forever and I guess 6 years is enough to expect from them plus who knows how long they were on there before I even got this Boat (never changed them) so it's time to replace em anyways.
I've been meaning to E-Mail you but have been battling with myself for a nice way to put it because you've put alot of time and effort into helping me out with this. Looks like we ARE coming but it looks like we're going to be staying at the Kingston Town Docks.
They tell me they have water and electric and the difference is
$180.00 vs. $120.15......60 bucks is 60 bucks is 60 bucks.......You and I can spend that 60 bucks at the restaurant at your marina. I'm assuming that I'd still be able to come in and pay you a visit?
The dates are still the same although I just last week realized that I initially screwed up. I thought the 4th was on Thursday for some reason and had planned on being the Wednesday and then Karen brought it to my attention that the 4th was a Friday so it'll still be the 3rd 4th and 5th but we'll just probably find a spot or two to hook-it on the way down. Actually gives us an extra day to get there.
Then again.....this still all depends on wether or not I get my Boat back from the Canvas Shop by then. LOL
Also as pertinent to THIS thread....I plan on changing all the belts before we go and keeping the current ones as spares. I already know they're not gonna last forever and I guess 6 years is enough to expect from them plus who knows how long they were on there before I even got this Boat (never changed them) so it's time to replace em anyways.
Obviously a Heavy Alt. Load would be caused by the Batteries being low on charge or maybe ALOT of things being turned on at the same time???
However....My boat stays plugged in while we're away from it and the onboard charger keeps the batteries fully charged (I always go into the Cabin and check the meters for each battery before I do anything to alert myself of any possible Battery Issues). Also when running.....mine is set up so that either engine will charge all three batteries at the same time and coincidentally now that I think about it and there's no reason for it but I always start the Starboard Engine first and I never get any squealing from that one. So why would the other engine have a heavy load.
Also you mentioned sanding the pukky....I've heard reference to this a few times in the past but never done it myself. Any particular grit sandpaper to use? I guess it certainly can't hurt to do it.
However....My boat stays plugged in while we're away from it and the onboard charger keeps the batteries fully charged (I always go into the Cabin and check the meters for each battery before I do anything to alert myself of any possible Battery Issues). Also when running.....mine is set up so that either engine will charge all three batteries at the same time and coincidentally now that I think about it and there's no reason for it but I always start the Starboard Engine first and I never get any squealing from that one. So why would the other engine have a heavy load.
Also you mentioned sanding the pukky....I've heard reference to this a few times in the past but never done it myself. Any particular grit sandpaper to use? I guess it certainly can't hurt to do it.