2008 SANTE 210: 1.) Squeaking Noise from Engine 2.) Little Bit of White Smoke

[Andrew14]

Hello All,

Have a few maintenance issues with my "new to me" 2008 SANTE 210 (290 Hrs, bought it with 265 Hrs...have had it for about 3 months now) that I was hoping I could get a few ideas on before I ended up taking it to the stealer. From reading through previous posts on here, I think I might have a few ideas of what the culprit might be for some of my issues, but some of them I am completely clueless on. Any help would be greatly appreciated - thank you in advance.

PS: Since I am the 3rd owner (first owner had it for 15 hours - purchased new at Nautiques of Orlando), CC informed me my boat is no longer under warranty even though its only 3 years old and has 290 hours on it - next boat, I'm getting one under warranty...I didn't know any better this go around (only my 2nd boat):

1. Squeaking Noise coming from the engine box - Just started noticing it about 6 weeks ago, it has progressively gotten louder. I use to only hear it when I opened the rear engine compartment and now I can hear it with everything closed up. Noticeable at idle, I think engine noise drowns it out once the boat is underway.

Possible Problems - Bearings gone bad on one of the pulleys, needs a new belt, and/or belt needs to be tightened??

2. Little Bit of White Smoke coming out from the exhaust when getting a rider up under load (ballast) - Just noticed this for the first time yesterday.

Possible Problems - Needs a new Impeller and/or Water Strainer needs to be cleaned??

3. Engine/Tranny Sounds Like a Can of Rocks - Have noticed a "Can of Rocks" noise when boat is put into gear and is moving very slowly in forward or reverse (very low rpm, just easing along). Once the gear shift is pushed up a bit where the boat is moving at 2.5-3.0 mph or faster, noise goes away.

Possible Problems - Just read a 14 page thread from 2010 on PN where Actman bought a brand new SN200 and experienced the same noise - after several transmissions, props, etc., CC gave up on trying to fix it and "sold" him a 2011. I have no clue, this one scares me more than the rest of my issues.

4. Howling Noise When Getting Rider Up if The Stearing Wheel is Not Straight - When I go to get a rider up (under load, with ballast) and the stearing wheel is not straight, then there is a pretty loud howl and the wheel is difficult to turn in order to get it back to a neutral position where the boat is tracking straight.

Possible Problems - Needs a new steering cable?


Thanks guys, really appreciate your help. I know that if I have to take it in, its going to hurt the wallet so would like to try do what repairs I can on my own.

[xrichard]

Just a couple of ideas:

1. Squeaking: possibility your serpentine belt. They're cheap and easy to replace--I'd replace it (especially if it shows any sign of wear) if you think it sounds at all like a belt squeaking

2. White smoke: this seems common on Nautiques. I have it occasionally on my current one and quite a bit on my previous one. I've seen threads about it in the past--seems like the basic conclusion is that it's likely not an issue especially if your temps are ok. If concerned, I'd check the basics first: oil level & temp, engine temp, compression. My experience with impellers and the strainer is they show up in the form of overheating. Having said that, if you're not sure about your impeller, it's another cheap and easy fix/maintenance item...as is the o-ring on the strainer. The hoses connecting your exhaust manifolds to the mufflers should be cool enough to touch--if not, you're not getting enough water in the exhaust and you probably have a a problem at the strainer or impeller.

3. Tranny....I had a similar sound from mine and think I know the thread you're talking about. That was an odd thread. The symptom you described is often the damper plate. My dealer told me PCM had a known batch of bad dampers and covered mine under warranty. You might check with PCM to see if you're in the suspect group of serial numbers. (As an aside, my dealer said mine was just outside the run of known faults, but the damper was the problem)

4. Howling...don't know have any good ideas here...but you could try playing with the tab of the rudder to see if that makes a difference.

[Andrew14]

Thank you very much for the help, xRichard. I ordered a new Serp belt, 2 new impellers (to have a spare one), a new Strainer Screen, new O-ring for the Strainer and couple of PCM oil filters yesterday from White Lake Marine here in NC. I'm going to put all of these on this weekend and see if this clears up any of my issues. Also, I made the same post on WW and received some good info there as well. Pretty much everyone has confirmed what you've laid out here, especially my #3 Tranny issue. I just called PCM and they said I have to work through my local dealer - so I am going to contact them next regarding the damper plate.

Thanks again for all of the help - fingers crossed I get all of these issued straighted out.

[tmb]

I had the same problem with the damper plate on my 09 210. My serial numbers fell out of the range PCM was recalling but they fixed it anyway as it was the problem.

[Andrew14]

Thanks for the the help guys. This past weekend, I changed the Impeller, Serp Belt, Oil Filter and Oil. Then took it out for a test run. The Squeaking coming from the Engine Box is gone now, I was estatic when I backed it off the trailer and it was not there. I'm currently working with my local dealer and PCM to try to get the damper plate replaced under warranty - fingers crossed.

I have two more Nautique Owner 101 questions:

1. How do I remove the strainer bowl? Do I just untwist it? It has a little bit of junk in it, but I could not find a way to get it off.
2. What is my prop rotation and what side should I try to wake surf on? I just ordered a wakesurfer for this weekend. The rear of the boat pulls to the right when it is in reverse...is it LH rotation?

Thanks guys!

[swc5150]

The strainer just twists off. That white smoke is normal as well, depending on temp and humidity levels.

[Chexi]

Your boat is LH rotation. Your better surf side should be port.

[Andrew14]

Awesome - thank you SWC and Chexi.

Chexi - I am goofy foot...does that mean I need to surf regular footed (essentially riding switch) if I go to surf on the port side of my boat?

[Chexi]

Unless you can ride with your back to the wave, which I hear is possible... but difficult. You can probably still get a decent wave on the starboard side, it just won't be as clean. I'm facing the same dilemma on my boat, as I am regular footed and have a RH rotation prop.

[Andrew14]

Ok, great...thanks Chexi. Looks like I might try to ride switch in an effort to surf on the better side.

[shag]

It will be hard to turn the wheel on any boat, loaded, while pulling a rider up if you are turning against the 'off' side. When the prop pushes water against the keel, it seems as though the most torque would be during heavy acceleration. I also seem to remember something about correct craft only transferring the warranty one time, and you have to pay a fee. 1 for the hull, and one for the motor. I had to pay the fee on my last pre-owned CC.