1987 Evinrude 88 SPL Ticking Noise

[Cliff1977]

I replaced the powerhead on this 88 SPL. It has a squeak,tick noise when cranking over and below 1500 rpms that the old engine did not. I ran it with spark plug wires off one at a time and the noise did not change. It does not matter if warm or cold. I have checked the flywheel and listened with a stethoscope. It is hard to say for sure but sounds loudest at the intake manifold. Has anyone out there heard anything like this ? It now is broke in and has 11 hours on it. It starts and runs good. Help!

 

[oldboat1]

Maybe a head gasket? Retorque to specs.

 

[racerone]

Send it back to the supplier !

 

[Cliff1977]

Maybe a head gasket? Retorque to specs.

I agree. I found one bolt less than 15 ft lbs. Spec is 20 ft lbs. I retorqued all. Did not help. I went ahead and replaced both head gaskets. Found some head bolts did not turn freely in their holes. Ran a tap down all the holes and made sure all bolt would turn free until bottomed out. Currently I do not hear the noise when running out of the water. I think it was the head gaskets. The true test will be when I put it in the lake and run it. So far I cannot hear the noise cranking or running. Will let you know for sure after I run it in water. Thanks.

 

[Cliff1977]

Send it back to the supplier !

I would like to but they are 1000 miles away. I replaced the head gaskets and I think it is fixed. I will run it at the lake and let you know. Thanks

 

[RBoyd1971]

If they left the head bolts like that, you got to wonder what else is that way. I would be scared to trust it

 

[Cliff1977]

New head gaskets fixed the noise. Thanks for all your help. I have to just hope nothing else fails.

 

[LindenLongRods]

New head gaskets fixed the noise. Thanks for all your help. I have to just hope nothing else fails.

I loved my 88 SPL!!

 

[oldboat1]

would be a good idea to resurface the heads if you haven't done that already -- maybe end of the season if it's running well now. If the bolt torque from the shop was all halter skelter, might be more warping than usually occurs. Maybe something to do in the Spring (can probably reuse the gaskets). Takes a sheet of wet/dry paper, and a perfectly flat surface -- rotate mating surfaces in a figure eight pattern until equally shiny all around. Clean out the cooling passages around the cylinders while you are at it -- flexible tool like a hacksaw blade. (oh, and replace the rubber flow diverters, or at least inspect)