Holow pinging sound

[Ericelgin1]

Took the boat out skiing........and on the last run of the day the motor started sounding very bad and did not have as much power!  My dad was skiing with me and he says it might be stuck valve or something with the valve or something! 

It was a pinging hollow sound just sounds bad.....anybody have an opinion?  This thing is a heartbreaker!

Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you

[RonT]

If it sounds like it's tearing itself apart inside, stop using it, remove the spark plugs & do a compression test. If it sounds minor get a mechanic to listen to the engine for an opinion, strange noises can be a lot of different things, some minor, some major, but sever loss of power when it occurs is not a good indication. Advise what motor you have & how many hours & what the known history is for further assistance.

[Ericelgin1]

I will not use it until it is fixed.........it is a ford comander in a 1984 18' skier.   I am sad to say I don't know much else!  I am going to do this compression test thing hopefully in the next day or so. 

As far as history, I will tell you what I know I got it a few months ago and up until this point I would have said that the engine works great starts every time idles well runs good sounds good on and on.  And as far as a Major loss of power I'm not sure that it was major it happened while I was skiing and was going about 34 and could not tell from the ski but when I got in the boat I could defiantly tell a big dif!

Thank you for your help.

Eric

[Mike Harry]

Hopefully its a collapsed lifter or something fairly simple like that. (Im guessing its hydrolic lifters)

[RonT]

Best advice at this time would be to find a friend who is familiar with basic engine mechanics to help & assist you. (all A/S engines used hydralic lifters) and yes it is possible that a lifter has collapsed but I wouldn't take that bet.

[Ericelgin1]

I have a friend whom collects old cars and he linked me up with a mechanic who does his Fords for him.  He started it and found the problem in about 13 seconds......it was an exaust leak that he is going to get a part and fix ASAP!  He is also going to instal an electronic starter.  I can't wait to give her a go this weekend.

I would like to thank you all again for you insights and knowledge.

[phil]

Ah, awesome! I've actually heard of exhaust leaks sounding like engine knocks before. A matter of fact my neighbor ran into the same exact thing with one of his cars over the summer.   Good to hear that it's something minor.

[Ericelgin1]

This thing is getting exciting.....theoretically to fix the exhaust Leak you just remove the manifold and replace the gasket reassemble and then go ski!  Well it gets more complicated when the bolts are old rusted and break or become one with the block.  Bottom line......motor is out of boat and the bolts that would not come out or broke are being drilled out! 

[Mike Harry]

That sounds awesome! Put some copper anti seize on those new bolts man 

[Ericelgin1]

Motor is back in the boat.....took it out today and it ran great but it had a high pitched sound I think was coming from the distributor cap it has an electronic ignition it was in the boat when I purchased it do you guys think that it could cause this sound?  It did not make the sound before, let me know y'alls thoughts.  Freaking cold by the way, kinda depressing!

Thanks

[RonT]

Is this a Ford or Chevy??

[Ericelgin1]

Ford

[RonT]

So you think the sound is coming from the front of the engine, which rules out the dampner/coupling. I would have someone else drive the boat with the motor box off while I put my ear or stethescope to various parts to try to pinpoint the source.