Perfectmix

I have been getting a faint smell of burned rubber from my engine compartment. The boat is a 97', 500hp's. Couplers are original, always been greased and aligned properly. I think this may be a sign. I took a peek around the coupler area and there was a tiny bit of dust under the couplers. I always come on plane slowly and rarely do WOT runs. Am I going to have to pull the engines or is it possible they may make this summer? I was planning on freshening the 500's this winter but it sounds like I may get a practice run on engine R&R. Whats been your experiences?
Thanks

BajaRunner

sure its not a belt? (your smelling?)

Perfectmix

No, I guess I'm not sure. All of them seem to be tight. I know that the water pump belts are touchy. I hope that is the proplem. I have spares

BajaRunner

mine were pretty pointy (about to go) and mine is 2000 vintage. id say your pretty close to the life span. bob at full throttle marine did mine, and he said the worst thing on them is idling (like an impact wrench on them). im glad we dont have long no wake zones.

Being this far into the season, id run em till they break, especially if you plan on pulling them this winter. just my .02

Ted G

iTrader: (1)

The way they are made you should not be able to smell rubber unless the split and spin. Usually it is the metal splines that give up and you shouldn't smell that. Check your belts and exhaust hoses after running for a bit, might be one of those overheating.

Perfectmix

Water temps are perfect. Is is possilbe that the water flow may be restrcted going into the exhaust? Should you be able to put your hand on the exhaust risers after running? I would think that with water temps in the low 60's that you should. They were very hot last time I checked. On the other hand I have good water coming out the tips

Perfectmix

B.R.
If it is a coupler and I know they are on borrowed time anyway, I will run them till they spin. I have a back up motor so worst case is a long idle back to the dock

KSFLYER1

The coupler should not make any burning smell until it lets go. I would have to think belts or exhaust hose. My .02

Car Biz

iTrader: (1)

I idle a TON. I spring lake mi for me it is no wake because i;m over 26 ft.

BajaRunner

keep em greased up good, that will eat one a lot faster than idling.