Thanks for the reply gearhead204. Although sounds like a possibility, I don't think that is my case, temps were only in the upper 30s to lower 40s here this morning so that would eliminate the freezing line. Oh how I wish it was something that simple! Seems as though all the problems I encounter are those that "have never been heard of before" or those that I seem to be the only one in this galaxy that has ever had that happen to! I don't know exactly what it is or where to begin to look, I've been trying to get up with my mechanic (about the only one I trust in my area) all this morning but have yet to get a call through. I went outside and started it again just to listen and its definitely coming from toward the front of the motor and almost sounds middle to lower half, in the region of the damper, so to speak. It's a tapping sound with no particular rhythm to it but taps about like something is pinging or hitting or something has come loose... This forum has been very helpul in the past with diagnosing alot of problems on my own, so I know the amount of "braintrust" up here someone can get me in the right directions.