oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

[markvan]

My oil alarm went off the other day as soon as it did I turned the motor off, checked the oil and opps it was empty, once I filled it back up and started the motor alarm went away. However the motor used to smoke quite a bit when it was cold however now it doesnt,,,should the primer bulb on the oil be as firm as the one on the fuel?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

Yes, it should be firm. You may have a bit of air in the line if not.. Any doubts about if it's working, pre-mix until you confirm...

 

[markvan]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

does the primer bulb get to the point where you cant squeeze it anymore, like the fuel bulb.

 

[Daniel Beckman]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

yea it should be and stay real hard.

 

[markvan]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

I pumped it like 20 times and it never did get like the fuel bulb? any ideas?

 

[markvan]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

I was reading some posts on the VRO's and warning alarms, one post said when you turn the key the alarm should sound for a quick second. Mine doenst do that, however the alarm does work as it went off the the oil tank was empty. Do all of them also have the alarm that should go off when the oil tank has less than 1/4?

 

[uncyboo]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

I have a 1990 Johnson 60 with the VRO and I have heard the quick beep of the alarm when you turn the key exactly twice since I've owned it, and I bought it new in 1991. I don't know why it has done it only twice, but I have been with others with similar motors and theirs does it all the time. I do know that my alarm works when it is supposed to, because I did the same thing; let it get too low and suck a little air. Pumped the ball up tight and never heard another peep out of it.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

uncyboo<br /> have you tested the alarm system by grounding a tan wire with the key on? odds are the alarm horn is bad. those late 80's and mid ninties were terrible years for johnny/rude electricals.<br />I replace/rebuild 20 or more motors per year that the horn had failed and the customer said" yea it used to beep when I turned it on but I aint heard it in years and when the over heat happened the auto shut off came on". problem is there is no auto shut off. it will quit when the pistons expand tight enough to lock to the bore or rip the wristpin out. test your alarms.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[uncyboo]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

As a matter of fact, I checked it today after reading this topic and another about how to do it. It works fine when grounded. Without reading on this forum, I would never have known, not even thought to do it. I am quickly learning just how outboard ignorant I am. I honestly thought that this boat, and I must have a good one, for all the neglect I must have put her through, was a "fill'er up with premium and good oil and she'll run forever". Had no idea of all the simple little things to do to maintain her. Everytime I got in and turned the key, she fired up and away we went. Never heard of "de-carbing", never heard of SeaFoam or Deep Creep. I wonder how many other boat owners have the same mind-set? I can guarantee you one thing, by the time this season is over, She'll be thankful of this forum just as I am.

 

[markvan]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

I checked the alarm and it is working fine, I pulled the temp sending unit and heated it a bit to see if the alarm would go off and it did. I marked my oil tank, ran premix and it is getting oil form the tank as the level is going down. I also replaced the fuel line (after it leaves the VRO) with a clear line so now if I am in doubt that the vro is mixxing I can pull the hood off my motor start it up and if the oil is blue its mixing...........thanks for all the help....

 

[markvan]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

I would like to know how the alarm should be hooked up in order for it to beep when i turn on the key, peace of mind knowing that it is working all the time. the tan wire that rodbolt is talking about is that the temp alarm wire on the back of the heads?

 

[DJ]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

Walleye Warrior,<br /><br />That "self test" is a function of the alarm horn itself, not the wiring going to it.<br /><br />You can retrofit the newer style alarm for some model years back.<br /><br />What year is yours?

 

[markvan]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

mine is a 1987 225 evinrude.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

The "self test" alarm horn has a plastic housing and has a separate black ground wire on it, along with terminals for the purple 12V wire and the tan alarm wire.

 

[markvan]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

if my alarm is in the throttle control is that where the purple and tan wire terminals are?

 

[kgw]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

Warrior,<br />I have 86 rude and the self test feature is incorerated in the oil tank pick up assy.This set of electonics is also what warns you at 1/4 tank remaining by a short beep every 20 sec. <br />this may be why you have no test beep and you wernt warned that you were about to run out of oil.<br />hope this helps.

 

[DJ]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

WW,<br /><br />Yes.

 

[markvan]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

I had my neighboor at the lake look at the electrical wires coming out of my oil tank it, he said there are two black wires, almost looks like the flat cords you see on block heaters. He followed the wires to the engine, one is connected to the positve terminal on the starter and the other one is not connected to anything.........where should they both be connected. I have the manual but I was unable ot find a wiring diagram that should that wire.

 

[kgw]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

Warrior,<br />The lamp cord looking wires go to a rubber connector and then back to the console.Mine is not connected to the starter solinoid.<br />good luck.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: oil alarm, filled oil tank but is it working now

WW,<br /><br />Your oil tank wires should connect to a ground and the other end to a tan wire from your motor's wiring harness.<br /><br />Sometimes the electronics in the 1995 and earlier oil tank pickups would get flakey and give off all kinds of weird horn sounds, buzzes, or chirps. By disconnecting the tank wires, you can avoid spending $60+ for a new pickup and just visually check the oil level frequently.