Slight vibration starboard engine and pump

[TRobinson]

New to the forum so please forgive me if this is a previous topic.
I have an 07 230sx. Last year I replaced the intermediate bearing as I had a bad vibration on the starboard engine. Ran the hell out of it with no further issues. Last night I put the boat on the water got 5 miles down the lake and got a vibration similar to a small stick stuck to the impeller. I removed the inspection plug didn’t find anything. Turned back to the dock running 8k on the tac. Throttle lever placement was about an inch stronger on the starboard side. To pull the same RPM. Engine oil was fine, didn’t get hot. Only problem was low thrust and slight vibration. Cavitation maybe? If anyone else has had this problem I will take any and all advice.

 

[scokill]

Look up under the grate with flashlight. Sounds like there might be an object lodged in there. Also check to see if reverse bucket is hanging down over the lip of jet nozzle. Put throttles in forward position and inspect. I wouldn't have suspected a bearing issue if you hadn't said you replaced, but if you had no issues previously after replacement for so long I would suspect that issue last.

 

[TRobinson]

Look up under the grate with flashlight. Sounds like there might be an object lodged in there. Also check to see if reverse bucket is hanging down over the lip of jet nozzle. Put throttles in forward position and inspect. I wouldn't have suspected a bearing issue if you hadn't said you replaced, but if you had no issues previously after replacement for so long I would suspect that issue last.

I will check those items for sure. I did see in a related post how to adjust the buckets. It is super odd that it happened so sudden. I would think that a bad bearing would have been a progressive issue. Thank you.

 

[Babin Farms]

Longshot with this one but Check the spark plugs. When I had a bad ECM I had to run one throttle harder than the other to keep the same rpm and the bad engine sounded slightly different.

 

[TRobinson]

Longshot with this one but Check the spark plugs. When I had a bad ECM I had to run one throttle harder than the other to keep the same rpm and the bad engine sounded slightly different.

I am the second owner and have no idea if they have ever been changed. Having said that I was going to get a full set and change them. I appreciate the feed back. If I have a cylinder not firing that would explain the slight vibration throughout the revs.

 

[scokill]

I am the second owner and have no idea if they have ever been changed. Having said that I was going to get a full set and change them. I appreciate the feed back. If I have a cylinder not firing that would explain the slight vibration throughout the revs.

Yep, if you haven't changed them and have no idea when, they need changing. Be careful removing them, especially #3 cylinder. There is probably a good guide somewhere on changing MR1 sparkplugs.

 

[TRobinson]

Yep, if you haven't changed them and have no idea when, they need changing. Be careful removing them, especially #3 cylinder. There is probably a good guide somewhere on changing MR1 sparkplugs.

I appreciate the heads up. I’m guessing they like to break off?

 

[LethFT]

I just had a similar thing happen. Slight vibration/noise from port engine. Turned out water got into pump bearings and one had catastrophic failure. Currently waiting for rebuild kit to arrive.

 

[TRobinson]

I just had a similar thing happen. Slight vibration/noise from port engine. Turned out water got into pump bearings and one had catastrophic failure. Currently waiting for rebuild kit to arrive.

Dang! I was going to pull the pump apart and check the bearings. Going to start with the easy things first. What kit did you go with?

 

[ToddW850]

Hopefully it's your spark plugs. These boats are touchy with the spark plugs. You know the saying, if your trailer is making noise, change the spark plugs and that will fix it

 

[scokill]

I appreciate the heads up. I’m guessing they like to break off?

It does happen, and it’s typically #3. Over torque and/or in for extended period of time is contributor. I change annual and use anti seize and very careful with torque.

 

[LethFT]

Dang! I was going to pull the pump apart and check the bearings. Going to start with the easy things first. What kit did you go with?

Ordered from local shop here. Not sure who they use as their source.

 

[TRobinson]

Ordered from local shop here. Not sure who they use as their source.

Any pictures or information you can send me would be a great help.

 

[TRobinson]

Thank you everyone for the great information. I will be looking into this on my next days off and will post what I find.

 

[LethFT]

Any pictures or information you can send me would be a great help.

Impeller housings are from Solas and rebuild kits with bearings are from WSM.