99 Sport Nautique Tranny Noise

[Beerman]

I'm new to direct drive Nautiques...Is it normal for the transmission to have a rattle at the lowest throttle setting in gear? Once I give it slightly more throttle it goes away to the normal whine noise they make. I notice it more at the end of the day...thanks for any help.
Jason

[M3Fan]

Could you give more of a description of the noise? Could be the trans pump just making noise at low RPM, which is usually not a big deal. Mine makes all kinds of little noises at low RPM, but it's also 13 years old!

[Beerman]

The closest noise I can compare it to might be a sloppy bearing sound. And it only does it at the very lowest throttle setting in gear, when we're idling around. Anything beyond that and it goes away.

[SGY]

Tranny rattle

My 99 SNOB does the same thing. I spoke with the guys at SKIDIM who said that such noise is gear lash. The Nautiques idle failry low so when you engage the transmission at low RPM, the cogs and gears rattle due to normal tolerances or lash. As you apply more throttle, the fluid pressure goes up causing complete engagement and the rattle goes away. I guess it makes sense. My rattle is most predominate in reverse and I really notice it when I'm unloading the boat from the trailer.

My mechanic also noticed the noise. When I explained what I was told, he sort of accepted such explanation but also said that he replaced alot of PCM Power Plus trannys under warranty in the mid to late 90s. Right now, I am inclined to go with SKIDIM's explanation as those guys knew exactly what I was tallking about. Nonetheless, I'm keeping an eye or ear on it.

Keep us posted on what you find out, if anything.

[Beerman]

Thanks for the response, it makes total sense. But I too will keep a close eye, I mean ear, on it and will update if the situation changes. Thanks again.
Jason

[HollywoodBall]

Bump. I’ve developed(or never noticed) this same rattle as well. 1997 Sport Nautique. 659 hours. Fresh gear oil change.

I don’t remember it at all when I had the boat out in NC for a week. Then I towed it home 6 straight hours, swapped the prop, and noticed it my first time out on the lake at home.

Still normal?


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