Re: tapping sound at idle
I've got a tapping sound at idle in my '80 Johnson V-4. Sounds like metal to metal although I know its not. Only happens at idle. Anyone know what this might be?
Pull all 4 plugs, bring each cylinder up to TDC and try pushing on the piston with a wood dowel to feel for movement. This will check the rods for play. If it's really bad you'll see the ground electrode closed against the center electrode. Could also be an exhaust leak, that you should be able to feel for around the powerhead if it's leaking from a cover. To check for wrist pin you could try pulling a plug and running it on 3 cylinders until you find the cylinder that is causing the issue. Pulling a plug takes the load away from the cylinder as in no compression to cause movement in the wrist pin. Don't run it long with a plug out, it simply to check to see if the sounds goes away. Remember to ground out the wire you are testing, use a spark tester.
And yes Zeph, I thought you'd like the new avatar
