I have quite a loud rattle from the drive shaft area with engine running that matches engine speed. Engine runs ok, rattle seems to diminsh as revs are increased. There is an audible click as engine is turned over by revolving the blade. Before i start stripping everything down does anyone have any idea what may be causing this?

Antony, November 2009

Most likely explanation is that part of the tinware unser the deck has become detatched due to either foreign object damage, or corrosion, and is coming nto contact with the blade. Easy to check.

If that's not it, it's possible for something to have found it's way inside the coolng shroud of the engine. You will need to remove it to check.

phil_saunders(a)bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, November 2009