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Drive knocks or vibrates

Troubleshoot unusual noises without confusing engine and drive faults. Check the propeller and visible mounts before workshop work on joints, bearings and the drive.

Check step by step

Select your engine on its model page to see the relevant steps and part numbers.

  1. DIY

    Note whether the noise occurs in neutral, in gear or only when turning, without continuing to load the drive.

    Volvo Penta's troubleshooting distinguishes engine mounts, propeller, U-joints, gimbal bearing and internal drive parts, among others, as possible sources of noise.

    Action: Describe the situation to the workshop. Don't repeatedly load the engine to try to reproduce a metallic noise.

  2. DIY

    Check the propeller blades and hub for visible damage.

    A bent or damaged propeller and a damaged hub are in the manufacturer's list of causes of vibration.

    Action: Secure the engine against accidental starting before inspecting. Have a professional assess a damaged propeller; don't replace drive parts until propeller damage has been ruled out.

  3. Workshop

    Look for loose or damaged engine mounts and mounting bolts.

    Worn engine mounts can cause vibrations that seem to come from the drive.

    Action: Do a visual check with the engine stopped. Have a workshop fix the mounts and check alignment; don't loosen load-bearing mounts yourself.

  4. Workshop

    Visually check the belts and pulleys if the noise seems to come from the engine.

    Loose belts or pulleys can cause noise without the drive gears being damaged.

    Action: Only check with the engine off. Follow the manual for belt tension; have a workshop fix loose pulleys.

    V-belt
  5. Workshop

    Have a workshop inspect the U-joints, gimbal bearing, bellows and internal drive parts.

    Volvo Penta lists damaged U-joints, gimbal bearings and internal drive components as workshop jobs. Mercury leaves checking the bellows, clamps and gimbal bearing to the dealer.

    Action: Have the workshop locate the fault before ordering parts. A bellows is not a cure-all for every knocking sound.

    bellowsseal kit

When to call a workshop

New metallic noises from the drive, loss of drive or unusually stiff rotation should be inspected by a workshop. Do not keep loading the drive. Mention whether the noise started after a grounding, a propeller change or other work.

Frequently asked questions

There's a metallic knocking from the upper unit of the DP drive, even in neutral. What's wrong?

The noise alone isn't enough to tell which bearing or drive part is damaged. Volvo Penta lists the U-joints, gimbal bearing and internal drive parts as possible causes and refers these to a workshop. Avoid further test runs to check.

The engine runs but the drive gives no thrust and the shift lever clicks. Can I keep going?

The drive and controls need inspecting, not more load tests. The owner's manual troubleshooting doesn't diagnose the fault from a clicking noise; have a workshop look at it before replacing parts or putting load on the drive again.

Related troubleshooting

Sources

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