Sounds like: A woodpecker chopping away on a hollow log, but in this case, it’s your gas engine.

Cause: Probably a loose connecting rod. Old age will cause it to loosen, but so can a lack of oil, low oil pressure or excessive stress on the engine.

Remedy: Not a pleasant one. You need to replace the rod bearings, if accessible from inside the engine compartment. If not, you’ll have to remove the engine and inspect related components such as the crankshaft and piston.

Sounds like: A vaudeville tap dancer two-stepping on your gasoline engine.

Cause: The hydraulic lifters are worn out or are bleeding down oil pressure. It also could indicate trouble with the rocker arms.

Remedy: You’ll need to replace the hydraulic valve lifters—they’re not expensive. Generally is you’ll also have to change the cam shaft, which jacks up the price considerably.

Sounds like: A high-pitched whir that gets louder with an increase in rpm.

Cause: It’s normal to hear this sound. Usually it’s just the alternator charging the battery after the boat hasn’t been used for a while. An alternator with high amperage output will be even louder. The noise will continue if you constantly use power.

Remedy: You’ll have to be patient and allow the batteries to recharge. With batteries property maintained and not completely drained, you may avoid this noise in the future.

Sounds like: An army of crickets taking over the engine room.

Cause: Some stern-drive engines have flapper valves inside the Y-pipe to prevent water from entering the engine through the exhaust. When the valve is worn, the exhaust beats the valve against the pipe, producing a metallic sound.

Remedy: You’ll be able to get home, but when you do, remove the exhaust bellows to gain access to the valve and replace it with a new one. (The boat will have to be hauled out first.) It will take about an hour and cost almost $200. It’s a good idea to check the valve yearly. At the same time, look for exhaust leaks and tighten hose clamps that have loosened.

Sounds like: Chirping birds in the engine compartment. Usually heard

when running under severe load.

Cause: Probably poor-grade or low-octane fuel. It’s known as engine ping or detonation. Basically, the uncontrolled burning of the fuel/air mixture produces it.

Remedy: Pull back on the power slightly until the ping disappears. Get

to a marina and buy higher octane. If they don’t sell fuel, buy a can of octane booster. (Don’t use both.) If you allow this condition to continue, it can lead to engine damage. Severe detonation happens even before you hear the ping.

Sounds like: A bag full of aluminum cans rattling on the hull. Also heard when the boat slows down.

Cause: It may be a broken baffle in the fuel tank. When the boat stops or accelerates, fuel sloshes fore and aft, rattling the aluminum baffles.

Remedy: Tanks aren’t cheap to fix, so hope it’s not the baffle. Maybe it’s just a few empty soda cans rolling around the bilge. If it’s the baffle, see a mechanic when you get back to the dock.

Sounds like: A squealing pig. Especially shrill when boat hits high rpm.

Cause: Slipping fan belts. They tend to burn and squeal loudly when worn or coming loose.

Remedy: You’re probably foresighted enough to carry a spare emergency V-belt onboard, but if the belt breaks and you don’t have an extra, tie anything that can be tightened around the pulley—it may get you safely back to shore. In the future, inspect V-belts and tighten often; they tend to stretch out.

For extra insurance, keep V-Links emergency replacement V-belts on

Board.

Sounds like: Fingernails scraping against a blackboard.

Cause: If you hear this sound as you slow your inboard-powered boat down to an idle, it means coarse sand has gotten into the cutlass shaft bearing. If you hear the noise while traveling at low rpm, it’s probably a new cutlass bearing breaking itself in.

Remedy: Bearings are self cleaning so the noise should dissipate over time. The noise from a new bearing will also subside with regular use.

Sounds like: The engine is running without a muffler.

Cause: Bad water-pump impeller.

Remedy: Check the raw-water flow and watch the temperature gauge.

Overheating may follow so slow down, run on one engine or change the impeller. To double check, place hand on water pump faceplate. If it’s hot, you’ve cooked the impeller and need a new one.

Sounds like: Grating metal.

Cause: A bad water pump bearing is the likely culprit.

Remedy: The pump will need to be rebuilt, so travel slowly back to the dock to avoid rendering the pump useless. Keep an eye on tempurature.

Sounds like: Metal plates knocking against each other.

Cause: Poor quality fuel with low cetane rating, air in the fuel system or a bad injector nozzle.

Remedy: Cetane boosters added to the fuel will up the ignition quality; air in the system must be carefully tracked down (start at the filters).

Injector problems usually require the services of a mechanic, but most of them can be traced to bad fuel or water in fuel that gets past the filter system.

Sounds like: A pen click when you hit the head button, followed by silence if it’s malfunctioning.

Cause: The motor is seized, usually from lack of use or sitting idle during the week.

Remedy: Unscrew the faceplate of the motor and, using a pry bar, twist the motor to unseat it. Hit the button—it’ll work.

Low Clicking from bilge pump? Replace it, it’s on the road to seizing when you need it.

Sounds like: A muffled firecracker. Usually increases tempo when you

shut off the engine.

Cause: It’s the ignition. Each pop is a spark plug firing.

Remedy: Install a suppressor resistor in the high-voltage wire between the coil and the distributor cap.

Smell of Fuel, Propane Diesel or Gas

        Smells like : Well, Fuel, Propane Diesel or Gas

Cause: It's the fuel system that is leaking. 

Remedy : Shut down immediately (use the engine shutoff); if you don't suspect fire, open up everything.  Odors of gas, diesel, or propane down below or on deck require immediate attention. Tanks should show no evidence of leaks, nor should hoses be mushy or soft. 

Smell of Sewage

    Smells like : Sewage

    Causes: A dirty bilge