Took the 272 out yesterday for the first trip of the year, and it was cut short.

After planing for about 3 minutes or so, there was smoke coming out of the back of the boat and a heavy rumbling. At first I thought it was the engine, but I opened the hatch and a lot of smoke came up from the back of the engine. And it smelled like hot steel. Everything on the engine looked fine. Shut her down, let it cool for a while. Started it up, and at low speeds operated correctly, but still had a rumbling noise. If I trim it anywhere from straight out, the noise increases dramatically.

So, I'm guessing the universal joint maybe? I bought the boat two years ago, and have never had the drive off, and I don't really know if the PO ever maintained it to that level. There's a zerk on the outside of the Gimbal housing (which I believe is only for the gimbal bearing) which I have greased, but I found another one inside the boat, close to where the shaft goes out the hull. Likely never been greased.

It's a Bravo 3 (duoprop).

Any thoughts or experiences? Does a Bravo need an annual removing and grease job?

Gonna check my Service Manual also.

Thx.

Could be your diagnosis, could be the coupler or could be both.

Gonna pull the drive today and have a look at things. Should be evident, I hope.

Any idea what a B3 weighs? I'm pulling it myself....

I'd say u-joint or gimbal bearing....

Most likely the coupling if it was smoking, I dont think a gimbal bearing, or u-joint would smoke enough.

I think Teamsynergy was onto something!

Next post:

Got the bastard off. Combination of driving in wedges, etc. Unbelievable, and fought 'til the end. I'm guessing it's never been off from the original owner.

Anyway, found the culprit. And it smells like burnt ass, so I'm pretty sure that was the issue. Question - are the bellows open to the boat's engine area? That would explain the smoke coming into the boat. (Never changed a set before).

There was some water in the drive bellow, so I guess I'm into a bellows/bearing/seals job. But the U-joints feel fine, can't feel any play in them, etc. Anything else I should do while I've got it all apart? I also want to make sure I get all the required parts for the job up front (clamps, seals etc.)

if i remember right from seeing it done if you dont have the bellow install tool doing it without one is like a monkey and a football not pretty

Anybody know the right procedure to align the engine? I have use of the tool. Gonna check my SM too (engine, or drive?)

Thanks,

I put my bellow boot on with out a tool, not the easiest thing to do..but not the hardest thing ive ever done either...