2020 242SE: louder vibration at idle, one engine only

[bobholthaus]

I noticed this weekend that my starboard engine is vibrating a lot louder than my port engine. This is primarily at idle and in no wake mode. Could an engine mount be loose? It’s still under warranty so I am taking it to the dealer this week, but it is noticeably louder than the port engine, which sounds as quiet as a sewing machine. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Babin Farms]

Check the engine mounts first.
Is there something in the impeller?
What do the spark plugs look like?

I'd start with the basics first. Taking it to a dealer this late in our season may mean that your done boating unless your dealer is unlike any that I have ever seen.

 

[bobholthaus]

The funny thing is, I didn’t even think of the impeller. We haven’t had anything stuck in there in months and months, and I was on a (relatively) clean lake. That may be all that it is. Dealer has other things to check anyway, so all is not lost. But thank you.

 

[phil1639]

The funny thing is, I didn’t even think of the impeller. We haven’t had anything stuck in there in months and months, and I was on a (relatively) clean lake. That may be all that it is. Dealer has other things to check anyway, so all is not lost. But thank you.

What did the dealer find

 

[bobholthaus]

They didn’t find anything when we hooked a hose up. They basically were like, “it’s a boat”, which was super frustrating. One of the service guys said he’d be willing to come to my dock to listen to it, but that never happened. I will have it in the water next week for the first time this year, and I’ll see how it sounds.

 

[Creightn13]

I noticed this weekend that my starboard engine is vibrating a lot louder than my port engine. This is primarily at idle and in no wake mode. Could an engine mount be loose? It’s still under warranty so I am taking it to the dealer this week, but it is noticeably louder than the port engine, which sounds as quiet as a sewing machine. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

I had a similar experience early this year. A new set of spark plugs solved it.

 

[bobholthaus]

I’ll try that, thank you.
Btw, when I click the No-wake throttle button up one click (which increases RPM), the vibration goes away.

 

[anmut]

I've had the same thing since I bought my boat new in 2020. Starboard engine "rattle" at super low RPMs. I have a theory that it's the arm connecting to the rudder (somewhere in that mechanism), because when you hear the rattle, you can turn your wheel all the way right or left and make it go away. It's also on the Starboard engine where the rudder is connected.

My rattle also goes away when increasing RPM just slightly, which makes me think the drag of the water on the mechanism stops it from shaking.

 

[satovod]

I’ll try that, thank you.
Btw, when I click the No-wake throttle button up one click (which increases RPM), the vibration goes away.

replace impeller housing. Search for "impeller housing" here and you will find a lot of similar posts like yours.

OEM replacement $120, takes 2-3h with beer.

 

[Weeb]

I’ll try that, thank you.
Btw, when I click the No-wake throttle button up one click (which increases RPM), the vibration goes away.

I have a 2017 and it’s been that way since new. Like you I just put on no wake mode and kick it up one.

 

[anmut]

replace impeller housing. Search for "impeller housing" here and you will find a lot of similar posts like yours.

OEM replacement $120, takes 2-3h with beer.

Can you explain this further? I don’t have any cavitation on that side so the impeller seems tight in the assembly.