Engine rattle

[Diverted Income]

I have an intermittent rattle on my STBD engine. Sounds like it is coming from the bellhousing area but tough to tell for sure. Always sounds the same and not constant. In gear or out. Do these have a flex plate or a flywheel on the crank? (82 Merc MIE 230HP GM 305 straight Velvet Drive) Rattle has not gotten worse or changed at all. Sounds a little tinny and certainly not in oil.

Next question: Is there any adjusting the sliding screen door rollers on an 82 F-32?

Thanks!

[aaronbocknek]

sounds like a ring tick to me. i had one on my old f-32 with original mercruiser engines. the starboard engine had two warped valves.

[prowlersfish]

Your have a flywheel with a dampener on it ( trans input shaft slides in to the dampener splines), These can make noise But the noise will normally change the noise when put in gear .If the engine is missing or ruining rough in can make a dampener noise more pronounced .

[Diverted Income]

Interesting. Engine runs smooth and it just started to do this at the beginning of a 359 mile trip. Never got worse. Comes and goes.

[Big D]

Until you determine whether it's an internal engine/mechanical issue or not, don't dismiss other possibilities. Some Merc apps have shutters in their exhaust that will rattle when worn or a broken dampener in a muffler will do the same, this has fooled many technicians. Because of their close proximity to the back of the engine, it's easy to misdiagnose, but certainly the dampener or flex plate are possibilities too.

[Diverted Income]

More good stuff. I think next trip to the boat I will shoot a quick video and post it for you guys to take a listen to.
Thanks!