Julio

You can't hear it from the boat, but if you are sitting on the dock when my boat passes by you can hear a high pitch whine noise coming from the outdrive. The oil level is good and it has no problem going from neutral to forward or reverse. Any ideas what this could be?
I guess I should mention that it is a Bravo 1 outdrive.

HiPerf2000

sounds like a gimble bearing to me.

how old is the boat? when's the last time you had the drive off? have you greased the zerk on the outside of the housing lately

you can usually spin them with your fingers and you will fell the resistance if they are bad.

Julio

It's a 2001 model. I did pull the outdrive earlier this year and greased everything. I may pull it again and check it out to be on the safe side.

HiPerf2000

i just re-read your post and noticed that you don't hear it from inside the boat. usually with the boat in gear you can hear/feel a bad gimble inside the boat.

does the niose happen when your not around a dock? have someone that is swimming close by listen for the niose. i was on a dock once that would whine when any boat went bye.

Julio

A friend of mine told me that he heard it as I passed by. I got on the dock and let someone drive my boat and I too heard it. Some of the whine is normal,like when the boat is headed towards you, but as the boat passes by you can hear it loud and clear.
The boat shifts great, no other noises, like gears grinding or something about to fly apart.

Active Mike

Have you changed anything in the outdrive like the oil that you use?
How long have you owned the boat. Do you know the boat well?
It is normal to get some wining out of a drive. Is this noise heard over external exhaust?

merlin540

gimble bearing

Julio

I bought the boat new, so I know it well. I've never had anyone tell me the outdrive was making noise until now. I have changed the oil, but used the same kind that came out of it (Mercury high performance). And yes it can be heard over the external exhaust, but not inside of the boat, only from the shore.

Julio

How do I check the gimble bearing? What do I look for if it is bad?

merlin540

Take The Drive Off And Try To Turn The Bearing In The Gimble Housing. It Should Turn Free With No Hard Spots. If It Feels Good Grease It And Go Like Hell. But It Is Most Likely Your Problem And It Will Feel Rough Seeya