Ticking noise at idle and full throttle, it it piston slap?

[Whaler15SS]

I have a 1988 Johnson 48 SPL that makes a noticible ticking noise at idle and at full throttle but it is not noticible at mid throttle settings. The engine spins well up to its specified WOT RPMs and is very responsive but idles poorly. I'm running 50:1 fuel.<br /><br />Is this ticking noise piston slap? If so, what does it mean? Time for a rebuild?

 

[Whaler15SS]

Re: Ticking noise at idle and full throttle, it it piston slap?

Bump.

 

[Whaler15SS]

Re: Ticking noise at idle and full throttle, it it piston slap?

Bump.

 

[james1]

Re: Ticking noise at idle and full throttle, it it piston slap?

Sounds like the spark plugs r "throwing" the spark away. Check to see that there is no moisture and/or cracks on the suppressors.

 

[nebraska_woody]

Re: Ticking noise at idle and full throttle, it it piston slap?

Rogue1,<br /> can you tell me more about what you mean with the spark being thrown?? to add to this same topic, I have a 1989 Johnson GT200. My motor also seems to have a noticable "ticking" noise coming from it at idle speeds. I haven't been out on the boat where I seem to remember if it makes the same noise at WOT, but it does at idle for sure. If this is the same thing as you are talking about, could this have anything to do with compression readings, or the responsiveness of how fast the motor will accelerate from standing still to on a plane and moving WOT??

 

[ob]

Re: Ticking noise at idle and full throttle, it it piston slap?

The ticking noise in both cases sounds to me as if it is possibly a head gasket or sparkplug sealing surface leak.Were the heads retorqued after initial breakin on either of these engines?The only other possibility that comes to mind would be a rotational interference ticking associated with the flywheel magnets and stator.

 

[sparkroost]

Re: Ticking noise at idle and full throttle, it it piston slap?

reed slap?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Ticking noise at idle and full throttle, it it piston slap?

Its not unusual at all for the stock cast OMC pistons to make the noise you describe. Naturally the noise will get more noticable with age (wear). Yes, there will be a point at which the idle quality will suffer. <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[james1]

Re: Ticking noise at idle and full throttle, it it piston slap?

Sorry guys.<br /><br />Spoke to a mech today and he says it doesn't sound like spark,more like either reed valves or crank seal.