[HatTrick]

The paragon transmission on my Port engine began making a squeal sound. It gets louder with increasing rpm, but then stops and doesn't return until the engine/trans cools down. I replaced the fluid, even though it didn't smell burned and was still reddish in color. Any ideas? Am I in for a big repair bill?? The boat is a 1981 Chris Craft 281 Express that has been in fresh water (from new until 1996) then salt water until now. Suggestions or ideas appreciated.

[PropBet]

You've got something getting hot, expanding, and closing a close fitting tolerance somewhere in the assembly, which is causing the noise.

I'd get it to the yard ASAP.

[dogsharks]

I know it may sound stupid, but are you sure it's the Paragon, and not something else? There are plenty of other things on a marine engine/transmission that will squeel, including but not limited to: rubber impeller, drive belts for the water pump and alternator circuits, shaft log. I have even heard some squeeling coming from the passenger seat, mostly on smaller fast boats.

Good luck, hope you are able to resolve this quickly and efficiently,

P

[HatTrick]

Well, I limped through the season just using the port engine for docking and rafting up with other boats. The starboard engine got us around for short trips and trolling.

The noise is very weird, as it completely goes away for short periods of time. Now the the boat has been pulled, the port engine was started to flush out the salt water (raw water cooled engine). The noise was as loud as ever, then stopped. The engine/transmission ran quiet. Turning off the engine and restarting restarts the noise.

Any ideas as to what might cause this? I suspect the damper plate between the engine and transmission might be the culprit.

Has anyone had a similar problem? The boat is a 1981 Chris Craft model 281 with 305K engines and paragon transmissions.