Faint Ticking From Trolling Motor

[Preytorien]

When I get done using my Minn Kota Endura Max 40, I always clean and dry it as best I can, then I run out of the water it for a few minutes to make sure everything is smooth and ready to go for next time and so it can throw off any water inside the prop area.

 

Lately (the past 2 times), I've noticed that when it runs, you can hear a very faint ticking sound coming from around the prop area. No weeds are on it that I can see, and the ticking doesn't happen each rotation of the blade, it happens probably 2-3 times per second. It's a very faint tick, almost indescernible. Other than that, the motor runs perfectly, no issues whatsoever.

 

Any ideas what it might be?

[S Hovanec]

My guess is some play in the shear pin.

[Preytorien]

My guess is some play in the shear pin.

 

Is this something to be alarmed about, needing fixed? How would I fix it?

[S Hovanec]

If that's what it is, I wouldn't worry. The pin is probably a little loose in the shaft, or there is some plastic wear where the pin sits in the prop.

[200racing]

have you taken the prop off to check for line between prop and housing?

 

is the gap between you prop and the housing completely even? if its not you could have bent the armature shaft.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Are you sure it's your trolling motor and not your outboard? A lot of outboards will make that ticking sound if left in gear when running the trolling motor, especially the older Mercs.

[200racing]

Are you sure it's your trolling motor and not your outboard? A lot of outboards will make that ticking sound if left in gear when running the trolling motor, especially the older Mercs.

i took it as he hears the ticking when running it on land to clean and dry it.

[slonezp]

You can pull the prop off and check for line. The prop nut and washer come off, then pull the prop. Behind the prop thru the prop shaft is the shear pin. It's about an 1" or so long.(I keep spares on the boat because if the prop smacks into a rock it could bend the shear pin and cause excessive vibration)Make sure there is no line or weeds wound up on the shaft. Put it back together the same way you took it off

[Preytorien]

You can pull the prop off and check for line. The prop nut and washer come off, then pull the prop. Behind the prop thru the prop shaft is the shear pin. It's about an 1" or so long.(I keep spares on the boat because if the prop smacks into a rock it could bend the shear pin and cause excessive vibration)Make sure there is no line or weeds wound up on the shaft. Put it back together the same way you took it off

 

I'm going to check this out when I get home from work. I don't think I have line or anything but who knows, that stuff is almost invisible in the water, might've gotten into some and never known it.

[Preytorien]

You can pull the prop off and check for line. The prop nut and washer come off, then pull the prop. Behind the prop thru the prop shaft is the shear pin. It's about an 1" or so long.(I keep spares on the boat because if the prop smacks into a rock it could bend the shear pin and cause excessive vibration)Make sure there is no line or weeds wound up on the shaft. Put it back together the same way you took it off

 

This did the trick. There were just a few weeds, nothing major, wound around the shaft behind the prop. Cleaned it off, put it all back on.....no ticking.

 

Thanks for the help guys.

 

Couldn't get any better even if I went to Minn Kota! You're all the pros!