E-Tech Question

[shaker]

I have a 2008 E-Teck 90 horse that when I run for a while 30 minutes or more there is a clicking sound or maybe a ticking sound that seems to come from the upper motor. I'm not sure if this is in the power head or something related. The motor starts great and the take-off seems to have all the power that it ever had just this annoying clicking sounds after the motor runs for a while. It has always sounded "looser" after running for a while even when it was new but this is something new that has come along, any ideas?

RB

[Seth]

I'm no outboard mechanic but based on what I'm reading on etecownersgroup forum, it doesn't sound good. Most that reported the ticking ended up having to get a new powerhead due to one of the engine cylinders being scored.

[fishinwrench]

Is it constant in rhythm or does it change with the RPM ?

Hard to guess without hearing it since the description "ticking/clicking/knocking" can mean different things to different people. 

Is there any dampness or oily slop building up in the lower cowling anywhere ?  Any fine dark powdery stuff covering anything under the cowling?

If spark plugs have ever been changed were they properly indexed ?   (They have to end up pointing a certain way or combustion/ignition will be erratic and can cause odd exhaust noise). Sometimes a person trying to index the plugs will have one or more kinda loose because they wouldn't index properly when fully tightened....so check to see if a plug is loose.

[shaker]

Thanks Wrench I'll do some looking it has had the 300 hour or three year checkup about three years ago so about ready for another one? I doubt that the motor has thee hundred hours on it now after about 8 years of service. It's not a "knock" and really is not a consistent rhythm but I didn't really notice that it picks up with the rpm's.

RB

 

[fishinwrench]

No sloppiness or sooty buildup under the cowling?  (Signs of a bleeder or bypass hose leaking, or an exhaust leak).

[shaker]

I did a little looking around last evening inside the cowling looks great very clean there is some crusty build up around the vents on the top and back of the cowling on the outside where there are some vents? I didn't have time to check the plugs not sure that I can get to the bottom one?

Thank you for your time and effort.

RB

[shaker]

The noise was the lower unit sometime or another I had hit something hard enough to break a tooth off one of the main gears and that eventually ruined the lower unit and it had to be replaced. Chalk up another one for Truman lake and weak  etch lower units. I have never hit anything at more than idol speed and not very much at that over the years I always slow to idol speed when turning off the main channel and trim the motor up and I do remember whacking a stump a time or two hard enough to kill the motor but it pays to be even more careful lower units are expensive!!!!

 

RB

[Seth]

Well at least you got it figured out and it was a powerhead issue. I run a jet so I don't have to worry about the lower unit on my Etec.