Clicking noise-gctid349080

[Guest]

When I turn over my 5.0 MPI engine I hear a very methodical metallic clicking sound. Changed the starter thinking that it was that but it is still there. Engine runs fine once she fires up, but while cranking this click sound persists. Any ideas ?

[Chief_Alen]

flappers maybe

[Guest]

hard to say without more details, what year/model of boat? etc.. etc... could be a starter relay, solenoid, fuel pump, sticking lifter or valve. Have you tried using a stethoscope to pinpoint the location?

[Guest]

shaw_2112 wrote:
hard to say without more details, what year/model of boat? etc.. etc... could be a starter relay, solenoid, fuel pump, sticking lifter or valve. Have you tried using a stethoscope to pinpoint the location?

Its a 2010 Mercruiser 5.0L MPI 260HP Gas engine with Alpha One Gen 11 outdrive.Boat is a Trophy 2359 Hardtop. Motor mechanic says it could be a cog gone off the flywheel ?

[Guest]

declan1 wrote:
Its a 2010 Mercruiser 5.0L MPI 260HP Gas engine with Alpha One Gen 11 outdrive.Boat is a Trophy 2359 Hardtop. Motor mechanic says it could be a cog gone off the flywheel ?

my experience if your missing a tooth on the flywheel the starter spindle won't catch at all, you'll just hear the shaft engage and spin. It'll also be intermittent, not consistent. I'd suggest getting a stethoscope or something, disconnect the coil so it won't start and have someone turn the motor over while you listen for the source. Just be careful not to burn your new starter up

[2850Bounty]

You mention "very methodical metallic clicking sound".

Is this correlating to the crankshaft position by chance? IOW, is it 1:1 with crankshaft angle, or is it more like 2:1 ?

1:1 is more likely the ring gear tooth or anything related to the crankshaft position.

2:1 would be something related to camshaft position.

I agree if a full flywheel ring gear tooth was missing, you'll likely have a scenario where at some point the flywheel would come to rest just right so that the starter motor pinion gear would not catch.

However, if a partial tooth is missing, it may still crank just fine, but may produce the clicking sound.

Hard to say for sure.

Do you have access to a bore scope?

There should be enough space to poke a bore scope in between the starter motor and flywheel cover to view the ring gear.

If you can do this, have one person watch the bore scope while another slowly rotates the crankshaft 360 degrees.

If a tooth is chipped or missing the person on the bore scope should be able to see it.

Let's say that it is the ring gear.

You've got a choice... fix it now before it fails while out on the water, or take your chances.

But..... what ever/when ever (and if it is a ring gear) note that these are a heat/shrink fit onto the flywheel.

Make sure that the mechanic or machinist who installs the new ring gear DOES NOT .... repeat... DOES NOT heat the new ring gear red hot or causes it to turn excessively blue-ish!

Oxy-Acet is typically used and this produces an extremely hot flame.

If this were to become over-heated and/or unevenly heated, he'll be risking a change to the tempering of the steel.

Why am I suggesting this???? Because I've seen these guys do this occasionally! rod

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