merc ticks

[jasonballard]

I have a 1973 9.8 hp merc 100 that has very little hours on it. I bought it about 3 weeks ago and ran it this weekend, it runs great. Only one worry though-- when I get to full throttle the motor starts to "tick" faintly. The tick is not steady, it will tick once, then after about 1 or 2 seconds it will tick-tick and so forth. It only does this at full throttle. I don't want to blow the motor-is this something to worry about. After I found this out, I put a new needle valve and float in the carb because I thoughit had to do with air/fuel mix being too lean, but it still does it. any help is appreciated.

 

[corm]

Re: merc ticks

Well my guess is that the wave washer that holds your starter paul in place are weak and let them vibrate out to hit your flywheel. Cheap fix but not always easy.

 

[jasonballard]

Re: merc ticks

Ok, so should I bother to try to fix it or is it ok to leave as it is? If I try to fix it, how do I do so? Also, what parts and tools will I need ? Thanks.

 

[jdkzrt]

Re: merc ticks

IMHO:<br />- If it were my engine, I'd take it apart for a look. <br />- Sounds like a big risk of a crankshaft bearing. And if it is, and it piles up, your engine will be toast.

 

[corm]

Re: merc ticks

Hi,<br />Chrankshaft bearings chirp on 9.8 hp mercs. rods hammer and starter pawls tick. Pull of the recoil off tip it over and see which of the starter pawls flop back and forth with no resistance. Vibration causes it to swing out and the flywheel knocks it back in with a pinging tick sound. To replace the wave washers (do all 4) take off the lefthand thread nut and push the bolt through the housing. Pull the plate up exxposing the wave washers (be mindful of the order) remove and replace the 4 washers reassemble the parts in reverse order. You may want to grease the spring and other wear points before reassemble the starter. To tension the spring you have to turn the shaft counter clockwise about 3 turns then tighten the nut tight and after checking to see that the rope goes back in fast enough bend up the locking tabs on the star washer Bolt it back on the motor<br />and have fun.<br />These are very simple instruction many things can go wrong like the spring comming out ect.<br />Keep the kids in the house and try to relax if you choose to do this.<br />Do you really need to do this, yes. But it could waint till fall too. You might want to take it off to see if my guess is correct and fix it in the fall. There will be metal chips between the flywheel and the starter.

 

[jasonballard]

Re: merc ticks

Thanks for all the help. Will I need any special tools?

 

[corm]

Re: merc ticks

No special tools needed. Unless the spring come out. Then one would be nice, but they don't make one that I know of. It is not that bad,but you have to wind it up by hand and use a vicegrip to hold it tight while you put it back in.

 

[jasonballard]

Re: merc ticks

Sucess!!