Screech!

[Grizzly1448]

Fished 4 hours and when I backed off the throttle coming into the marina to load up, the little Yamaha (25 HP 1999) was making a noise like a loose fan belt on a car. We have all heard that screech on old cars when they start up from a stop. That's what it sounded like but not nearly as loud. Loud enough for me to to say, "oh no, that sounds expensive"

Didn't hear it when I put it in neutral and ran it up a bit, but it is present in forward and reverse.

I had checked my lower unit fluid very recently, full. Have not pulled lower unit yet. On that motor it isn't too hard.

Any advice on what it is or where to start?

[boats.net]

Check gearcase oil for water or metal on drain screw magnet.

[robert graham]

Some of the motors have a rubber drive shaft bushing that can require some lubrication from time to time. Drop your lower unit and look up in there and on your driveshaft for indications of a dry bushing. a dab of marine grease would quiet it down...if that's what it is. Good Luck!

[Grizzly1448]

Mystery noise went away. Hmm. I recently replaced the impeller and greased the shaft well. (12 trips ago)

We got into some sand that day. Maybe a random grain made it somewhere it shouldn't have.

I lIke it when stuff works out

[99yam40]

Would this motor have manual rope start?
Maybe something in the neutral start mechanism was a problem, or something has come lose and got into an area it was rubbing.
I would have a good look as it could come back if you did nothing to fix it.

[Grizzly1448]

Would this motor have manual rope start?
Maybe something in the neutral start mechanism was a problem, or something has come lose and got into an area it was rubbing.
I would have a good look as it could come back if you did nothing to fix it.

You are actually dead right.

The two bolts that held the ... Um ... Thing, that the pull start rope went through had fallen into the cowling. Found them and thought it was from a previous alteration I made. Then pulled the rope with cowling off and the "thing" came with the handle, so ... Good call on the pull start diagnostics. That was a completely random occurrence and still can't figure why it screeched.

I also can't believe someone guessed it! Good job!

[99yam40]

must be magic

Good to hear you have solved the problem