Merc 4.3l TKS strange noise

yaw

Cadet
Joined
May 25, 2017
Messages
11
Hey all,

My 2014 Mercury 4.3l started making an odd noise at idle today. It sounds like something is rubbing against something. I've attached a video. Any ideas what this might be? I'm going to take it to the shop on Wednesday, but thought I'd see if anyone had any thoughts before I go.

Thanks!
 

Fun Times

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May 16, 2009
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9,189
Did the sound seem to be more on one side vs the other?

One thought would be possibly an exhaust manifold gasket leak as these are common to develop....Two ways to tell with the engine running is sometimes by an odd odor smell in the air and carefully run your hand sort of close to the engine block/spark plug area and see if you feel any air puffing outwards. Doing that while the engine is cold is more comfortable for you to check this theory.
 

yaw

Cadet
Joined
May 25, 2017
Messages
11
The noise seemed to be coming from the front of the motor, and maybe to the right. Around the area where all the pulleys are. It didn't seem to be coming from the sides or back. However, it's pretty hard to tell. I'll feel around for air puffs when I pull it out of the marina on Monday.
 

yaw

Cadet
Joined
May 25, 2017
Messages
11
How do I remove the belt? I can run it with the belt removed?
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,405
there is a idler pully you loosen to remove/change the belt, a few seconds wont hurt. In your video its the top right pully with the 5/8 nut
 

yaw

Cadet
Joined
May 25, 2017
Messages
11
Okay, so I pulled the boat out of the marina today, brought it home, and put it on the muffs. Here is some more information. The noise only starts after the motor has warmed up. It was not there when I first started it (or if it was I couldn't hear it over the TKS hissing). Once the noise started I did the following:

I felt around for exhaust leaks as fun times suggested. I didn't feel or hear anything that sounded like an exhaust leak.

I then removed the belt as Bt Doctur suggested. I did not hear the noise with the belt removed. I then turned every pulley by hand, and heard a squeak noise coming from what I believe is the water pump (it's the center pulley above the harmonic balancer pulley). It did not always make this noise. In fact, I could only get it to do it a couple times total with my hand. I put the belt back on, and the noise was very intermittent. It would come and go - sometimes loud, sometimes soft, and sometimes not at all. I've never had an overheat issue, and the temp stays around 150 on the gauge.

On a side note - I'm not sure if it's related, but my idle oil pressure sites around 60 on the gauge. Goes up to 80 when I throttle up.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,405
From the sound of it you need a new circulating pump, the bearing is probably going bad.Just remember there are 2 types, plastic timing cover and metal timing cover. You cant mix them .
 
Last edited:

yaw

Cadet
Joined
May 25, 2017
Messages
11
Replaced the water circulating pump, and the noise is gone. Thanks for the help all.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,405
Good news there, my post was incorrect. You CAN`T mix them because of the difference in length off the block.
 
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