Engine Alignment -G23

[scttp]

Have a 2015 G23 with 250 hours. Do all the typical maintenance myself. Haven’t had the motor alignment checked per the manual, and was wondering if anyone has, and if you’ve ever had it out of alignment? Everything running smooth as can be, so I’m not worried, but don’t know if it’s worth paying someone just to have peace of mind.

I talked to a trusted inboard mechanic and he said he’d check it for $150 (includes travel to my dock) and adjust if necessary for another 100. He said he definitely doesn’t think it’s worth it tho. Says they are very rarely out of whack.

Thoughts, advice? Thanks!


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[Kmayotte]

I have literally never heard of such a thing. I had extensive fiberglass and underwater hardware damage repaired on a previous boat that I struck a rock in and can't even remember it coming up then.

What exactly does the manual say?

[scttp]

PCM manual says engine alignment should be checked and adjusted if necessary each year by a dealer. It also gives instructions, cumbersome.


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[blueroom]

Is engine alignment the same as shaft alignment, as recommended in the Nautique owners manual at 25 hours and every 100 after?

[scttp]

I assume so.


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[ericchile]

This is a great question. This maintenance is literally the only thing I have neglected.

[blueroom]

2017 XR7 engine/shaft alignment instructions in the attached PDF.

[scttp]

From the lack of response here, I take it this is an issue that’s not really worth worrying about. No one chiming in and saying theirs had been out of whack. Thanks everyone!


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[homer12]

I’d think if you’re running smooth and no reason to consider it it’s no problem. I had to do this on my old MC direct drive. WAY easier to do on that boat but still a little bit of a pain. Lots of little adjustments and tweaks to get right if you’ve never done it.


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[d_nodixon]

Yep, it can be a pain to align. No worries unless you have an issue. Also, always check the prop first if you have a vibration. Even if you had it fixed!

We hit a stump....bent prop and sheared rudder. Replaced the rudder and sent the prop to a guy to fix. Got the prop back, installed and then had a vibration. We thought oh, must be the shaft. Ordered a new shaft and then went through the entire engine alignment procedure. Still had a vibration so we thought that we must have mis aligned. Went through this process about three times and was getting close to midnight at this point in time. We shut her down for the night and I decided to take the prop to someone else....and this guy knew within 30 seconds that it was out of balance. He balanced the prop and would do you know, know more vibration.

Long lesson learned but I have a prop guy I can trust and I'll take that hour drive any day.

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[surroundsound64]

PCM manual says engine alignment should be checked and adjusted if necessary each year by a dealer. It also gives instructions, cumbersome.


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I think the key words being "if necessary". It shouldn't be necessary in most people's cases.

[scttp]

I think the key words being "if necessary". It shouldn't be necessary in most people's cases.

It says to check it each year. And adjust it if necessary. But you’re right, I think the consensus is to just check if necessary.


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[blueroom]

The instructions in the PCM manuals with the G's (posted above) do not seem correct. It shows a more traditional style shaft interface. It seems that on mine the transmission connects to the motor and the shaft couples to the front of the V-drive and angles back down through it and out the bottom of the boat. Am I wrong?

[xrichard]

FWIW, you might see how difficult it is to turn the prop by hand on the trailer. On my 2008, when I turned the prop by hand, it would make a creaking noise and was difficult to turn. I had the dealer align it--the noise went away and it became much easier to turn by hand.

The boat was running fine this entire time but had developed a slight vibration--I was chasing down the vibration. Turns out the vibration wasn't an alignment issue though the alignment was definitely off per the dealer...and per my experience with the noise / difficulty turning by hand.

[scttp]

You’re right that’s something easy to check, whether it spins relatively freely. Thanks!


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