1999 X-star with odd rattle

Mr. Mutt · Posted: Feb 10, 2004 11:13 pm Post subject: 1999 X-star with odd rattle

Has anyone had any sounds come from the front of the engine near the tranny in a slow idle or troll? You can hear this rattling in that part of the engine compartment, but if you go past about 7 MPH it goes away. I had one guy mention he's seen flywheel springs sheer and cause a rattle but won't cause any damage they're just a nusance. Anyone else have experience?

Ruune · Posted: Feb 10, 2004 11:19 pm Post subject:

dunno, but I heard the same rattle on an '02 X-Star

Partyb · Posted: Feb 11, 2004 9:25 am Post subject:

Maybe try calling your dealer, that sounds like a good idea.

belmont · Criminal Joined: 29 Aug 2003 Posts: 75 City: Virginia

check and tighten the engine and tranny bolts?

tryan · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 257

i have heard that transmissions bypass valve will make a rattle sound below 700 rpm. this is on the OLD borg-warners, not anything new.

i would think the dampner springs are rattling in their mounts. if one or more is broken that is bad. you would feel a slight slip when you stomp it if a spring was broken or weak. IMHO

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

Flywheel springs???

Is that sort of like muffler bearings?

Ruune · Posted: Feb 11, 2004 6:49 pm Post subject:

Mr. Mutt · Posted: Feb 11, 2004 11:16 pm Post subject:

Thanks for everyone's sense of humor. Can you tell I'm not a mechanic? Yes, in that 700 RPM range is when it's the worst. Above that it goes away.

chuck · Outlaw Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 170 City: Arlington Wa

I had the exact same prob w/ my 99 x-star. It made a low grinding at low RPM and in reverse. Sounded like something was broken in the trans and the parts were rattling around. Anyhow I took it to the dealer and they said there were some springs that apply pressure to the flexplate and they loose tension thus the noise. I have since traded the boat in and I never had it fixed. The dealer here "Dougs inboard boats" in Woodinville Wa said that this was "normal" for the year. I never broke down but it was annoying as hell. That was the main reason I ditched the boat. Let us know what you find out....good luck. Hope it helps.

tryan · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 257

there is a dampner plate that attaches to the flywheel with a spring loaded center section that transmits the power to the input shaft of the tranny.

see the springs. they rattle at low rpm. yes , springs. you can set your idle up a tad, but you'll have to shift in and out of gear in a no wake zone.

Mr. Mutt · Posted: Feb 12, 2004 11:29 pm Post subject:

Tryan, thanks for showing I'm not a complete idiot. I KNEW there were springs associated with that doo-hickie...I would imagine if this plate attaches to the flywheel then it's probably a bitch to get to and work on, yes?

tryan · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 257

trannys are 70-100#'s, but it would be a pain to remove.

a replacement might make the same sound and i would rather have rattling springs than rubber that would rot over time.

try to just set the idle up 50 rpm and see if it goes away. you might have another issue in the driveline.

i am a complete idiot. at least my wife tells me so...................