Question about 1993 bass tracker tx-17

[JesCat]

I just bought a 1993 bass tracket tx-17. It didn't come with a manual. My question is:

When I start the boat out of the water (water running through it of course). After ~ 5 minutes a sounder starts going off. If I shut of the engine and start it again the sounder starts to go off again after ~ 5 minutes. Having just bought the boat I'm not sure what this could be. If anyone could help me with this I would great appreciate it. Also it there anywhere online I can download a manual for the boat.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Question about 1993 bass tracker tx-17

Welcome to iboats. you told us about your boat, but we have no idea what motor is on it. the sounder is an alarm from the motor.

What motor, hp, year,model #.

 

[JesCat]

Re: Question about 1993 bass tracker tx-17

Sorry about that I didn't think about it being an engine alarm. The engine is a 40 hp Johnson 2 stroke oil injected.

Thanks

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: Question about 1993 bass tracker tx-17

I'm not an outboard guy, but my guess is that it is either a temp warning or an oil warning.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Question about 1993 bass tracker tx-17

I have a similar engine (Evinrude 40 HP 1990 VRO). Never got a manual with it, but there are three possibilities. low oil, no oil, or overheat.

Low oil: (This is the only one I know from experience.) Beeps regularly. Will restart beeping imediately after restarting. This starts at about 1 quart left in the oil tank. Takes about 5 minutes for the alarm to automatically clear after you refill the tank.

I believe that both of the others are continuous beeps. Based on the description, I would suspect the overheat, as the "no oil" should kick in almost immediately the second time. I know that it is possible to trigger the overheat alarm manually by either pulling the temperature sensor wire off or by grounding it, but I can't recall which. I am sure someone here knows for certain.

TerryMSU

 

[JesCat]

Re: Question about 1993 bass tracker tx-17

Thanks for the replies. I check the oil tank it, has approx 1.5 inches of oil remaining in the tank does this seem to low where it would be the "out of oil" indicator". If it was a temperature alarm shouldn't the alarm start immediately after I restart it?

I hope this isn't the issue but could it be the oil pump, where there isn't enough (or any) oil being mixed with the gasoline? Is there such an alarm?

Who could I contact to find out what the alarms need? Has anyone had any luck in contacting Tracker and/or Johnson Motors?

Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question about 1993 bass tracker tx-17

An overheat alarm is a steady beep. Obviously the engine needs to run for a bit before it actually overheats and triggers the alarm. 1-1/2 inches of oil in the oil resevoir is not enough. The low oil alarm triggers when the resevoir drops to 1/4 or less. Add any TWO STROKE engine oil with a TCW-3 marking on the label. Low oil is indicated by a 1/2 second beep every 40 seconds. A no oil warning (meaning no oil flow is detected) results in a 1/2 second beep every second.

So if the alarm you hear is a constant beep, the engine is overheating. Do not continue to run it until you determine why. A bad water pump impeller or stuck thermostat are possibilities and easy to check. Owners manuals tell you very little. You really need a service manual for your engine if you plan to do any work on it yourself.

 

[JesCat]

Re: Question about 1993 bass tracker tx-17

Thanks for the explanation. It sounds like it is "no oil" alarm. It is beeping every second.

Now my question is why. There is oil in the reservoir(its low but there is oil). I did try squeeze the priming ball and it was very difficult to pump. Does this help in diagnosing the problem?

Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question about 1993 bass tracker tx-17

No! It merely means the oil is present in the system and it is pressurized. Remember -- I said a 1/2 second beep every second means "NO OIL". That can mean either no oil in the resevoir or no oil flowing in the system. No oil flow in the system can be a bad VRO pump. Again, you need a service manual to work on this system. However, there is way to tell if the system is working or not. Add oil so the tank is about 1/2 full. Now place a mark at that level using a magic marker or tape that won't fall off. Mix your fuel in the tank so you have a 50:1 ratio. 1 pint of TCW-3 oil for each six gallons of fuel. Now run the boat until you have used about six gallons of fuel. Check the oil level in the tank. If the oil has not gone down at all, the oil system is not working. If the oil level has dropped, add oil to bring it back up to the previous line. If it took about one pint the oil system is working. If the alarm has not quit however, there is still an issue you need to address. You can of course disable the oil system and premix fuel which is what many folks do when these systems fail. Running the engine with a malfunctioning oil injection system will cause severe engine damage.

 

[JesCat]

Re: Question about 1993 bass tracker tx-17

This is very helpful. I have a few questions:

1. If I mix oil into the gas and the oil system is working properly won't it be running too rich, is this a concern?

2. Will the alarm be sounding the entire time during this test?

3. Is this a common issue where the oil injection system stops working?

4. Is disabling the system something I will find in a service manual?

Thanks