2001 Crownline 180BR Continuous beep

[gbalaz]

This past weekend I first encountered this issue. Obviously when I turn the key before starting there is the loud beep then when started it turns off. Well I was boating for a half hour, stopped and anchored for a couple hours, started the engine and the beep stayed on after the engine was running. Once I take off and start hitting waves, it will turn off and on then after planed (after a few mins) it will shut off but seems intermittent. I checked the engine oil, seems ok, checked the lower unit reservoir, there is maybe 1/2" of oil in the reservoir, I know it is below the fill line but could that cause my issue?

Thanks

 

[alldodge]

This past weekend I first encountered this issue. Obviously when I turn the key before starting there is the loud beep then when started it turns off. Well I was boating for a half hour, stopped and anchored for a couple hours, started the engine and the beep stayed on after the engine was running. Once I take off and start hitting waves, it will turn off and on then after planed (after a few mins) it will shut off but seems intermittent. I checked the engine oil, seems ok, checked the lower unit reservoir, there is maybe 1/2" of oil in the reservoir, I know it is below the fill line but could that cause my issue?

Thanks

Ya know if you could mention what were working on this could help. A serial number is best but a 2001 what?
A continuous alarm in most cases are oil pressure, outdrive lube level or overheating. If you have a seawater pump pressure switch this could also cause it, along with items if you have closed cooling.

To find out if it is one of the first three mentioned, remove the wire going to each one at a time and see if the alarm stops.

 

[gbalaz]

Ya know if you could mention what were working on this could help. A serial number is best but a 2001 what?
A continuous alarm in most cases are oil pressure, outdrive lube level or overheating. If you have a seawater pump pressure switch this could also cause it, along with items if you have closed cooling.

To find out if it is one of the first three mentioned, remove the wire going to each one at a time and see if the alarm stops.

I don't have access to the serial number, it's in storage. It is a mercruiser 4.3L. I don't think I have an oil pressure or high over temp as both numbers were in line with what I expected, I watched them after the intermittent continuous beep would occur. The lower unit oil reservoir is low but not empty, maybe 1/2" of fluid on the bottom, well under the fill line, would that cause my issue? After a few minutes of cruising on plane, it would go away. I bought this boat recently and the owner told me the impeller was replaced last year or the year before.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Your engine vitals may be OK but the sensors & wiring on the alarm are most likely separate--
( example -- temp gauge uses a varible resistor sensor on the engine and the alarm uses a temp switch )

Disconnecting the wires 1 at a time as described above will help you pinpoint the issue. If any of the wires connect to ground via an active sensor switch or short circuit the buzzer will sound. 1 possibility is a a loose wire that came off a sensor and is making ground contact. A faulty sensor is possible also.


As you may be aware --It would be wise to determine the root cause in case it is a real warning.

Good luck

P.S--- if you replace or reinstall any sensor ensure the body has a good ground contact. Teflon tape can sometimes break the electrical ckt as its an insulator.

 

[gbalaz]

Your engine vitals may be OK but the sensors & wiring on the alarm are most likely separate--
( example -- temp gauge uses a varible resistor sensor on the engine and the alarm uses a temp switch )

Disconnecting the wires 1 at a time as described above will help you pinpoint the issue. If any of the wires connect to ground via an active sensor switch or short circuit the buzzer will sound. 1 possibility is a a loose wire that came off a sensor and is making ground contact. A faulty sensor is possible also.


As you may be aware --It would be wise to determine the root cause in case it is a real warning.

Good luck

P.S--- if you replace or reinstall any sensor ensure the body has a good ground contact. Teflon tape can sometimes break the electrical ckt as its an insulator.

I'm really hoping it is just low outdrive lube in the reservoir and not more complex than that. I'm not sure how exactly to check the oil pressure and cooling system temperature if my gauges are faulty or mis leading me. I should have unplugged one of the reservoir wires last week when I was on the boat to figure that one out. Don't scare me so much guys

 

[gbalaz]

Another thing I can think of is when I did the oil change after the first time out this year, I drained the oil (after heating up the engine) til it stopped draining, replaced the filter which had a bunch of oil in it then refilled it. It is recommended to use 4.5 qts but mine only took around 4 to get between the low/full mark on the dip stick. I checked the oil when the alarm was going off (stoppd the boat, had it off for a few mins then checked) and it was between the low and full marks. Maybe it needs more oil to build more oil pressure. It didn't do this at all and ran just fine for the 5-10 times on the lake following this oil change but just started beeping last Sunday. I'm really wondering what the oil level shows now and what the outdrive lube shows that it has been sitting in storage, engine cold and oil levels settled. Maybe i'll go to the storage place tonight and check those levels.

 

[alldodge]

I don't have access to the serial number, it's in storage. It is a mercruiser 4.3L. I don't think I have an oil pressure or high over temp as both numbers were in line with what I expected, I watched them after the intermittent continuous beep would occur. The lower unit oil reservoir is low but not empty, maybe 1/2" of fluid on the bottom, well under the fill line, would that cause my issue? After a few minutes of cruising on plane, it would go away. I bought this boat recently and the owner told me the impeller was replaced last year or the year before.

It's low on gear lube, put some more in it and the alarm should stop (Merc HP 75w90 or 90SAE can be marked either way)
.

NEVER over fill the engine oil. To much oil is worst then a little to little. If your oil is anywhere in between the add and full marks your OK, it can even get a bit lower but try not to ever let it do that.

 

[gbalaz]

It's low on gear lube, put some more in it and the alarm should stop (Merc HP 75w90 or 90SAE can be marked either way)
.

NEVER over fill the engine oil. To much oil is worst then a little to little. If your oil is anywhere in between the add and full marks your OK, it can even get a bit lower but try not to ever let it do that.

I'll add gear lube today after work and run it to see if it stopped. REALLY hoping it is that simple. I find it odd that I filled it to the full line when I changed the gear lube last month, maybe it pulls some into the drive after you use it a few times following a fresh fluid changing? I don't see any leaks coming from the lower unit when it has been in my garage.

 

[alldodge]

I'll add gear lube today after work and run it to see if it stopped. REALLY hoping it is that simple. I find it odd that I filled it to the full line when I changed the gear lube last month, maybe it pulls some into the drive after you use it a few times following a fresh fluid changing? I don't see any leaks coming from the lower unit when it has been in my garage.

Your drive may be leaking, and I would recommend pulling the lower drain plug and see if any water/milk comes out. If the lube looks OK, may have a hose leak allowing lube to enter your bilge or between the drive and transom

 

[gbalaz]

Your drive may be leaking, and I would recommend pulling the lower drain plug and see if any water/milk comes out. If the lube looks OK, may have a hose leak allowing lube to enter your bilge or between the drive and transom

What if I pull the plug and the oil is milky?

 

[alldodge]

What if I pull the plug and the oil is milky?

Then you need to pull the drive, clean it out and find out what is leaking using a pressure test if you don't find evidence of a leak by visual.

 

[trailshredder]

May be a silly question, but did you fill the outdrive from the bottom (Drain) hole? Also, check the little gaskets on the drain plug and the air vent plug, those can get dry and leak water into the unit.

 

[gbalaz]

It's low on gear lube, put some more in it and the alarm should stop (Merc HP 75w90 or 90SAE can be marked either way)
.

NEVER over fill the engine oil. To much oil is worst then a little to little. If your oil is anywhere in between the add and full marks your OK, it can even get a bit lower but try not to ever let it do that.

I checked the oil level in the reservoir and it was definetely low, well below the float in there. Filled it and now the beep stopped. I just hope that it doesn't drop low again meaning other issues.

 

[gbalaz]

May be a silly question, but did you fill the outdrive from the bottom (Drain) hole? Also, check the little gaskets on the drain plug and the air vent plug, those can get dry and leak water into the unit.

Yes I filled the outdrive from the bottom drain hole. The gaskets looked new when I had them removed to refill the drive.