PLeas help.. Engine noise??

[NY-Wild Bill]

I have a low-hour "97 Evinrude V4 115 which for the past year has run like a champ, BUT....

This past sunday it has developed a noise, especially noticible when in gear, that sounds similar to a car engine sticking-valve noise..
"tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap tap" etc....


Any clue?
What do you think?

I had plenty of oil. [first thing I checked]

What should I look, listen, etc for??

Please help me.. Thank you!

[NY-Wild Bill]

Engine numbers:

Model # E115GLEU
Serial # 04285499

Hope that helps some.


Thanks for any and all help.

[ArizonaNative]

Any vibration along with the "tap"?

[Skeeterboy1]

check your #6 cylinder

[Bassmeister]

There isn't a 6th cylinder on a V-4 115. Check l/u, pull the plug and make sure the oil is clean and no chunks, then go with a compression check and go from there.

[Lockjaw]

My money is on the lower. Does it knock less then engine rpms? If so, that is the major tip off its in the lower, and it will sound like a rod knocking only slower.