Hi guys - new to the forum. I'm not an OMC / outboard motor expert, so I'm hoping I can solicit the expert opinions here.
Here's an issue my motor developed last season, and I am looking for any experience with the same issue, and possible trouble-shooting ideas. A little bit of history and the problem:
I bought this motor (2005 Johnson 2 stroke VRO 90 hp) used but in like-new condition two seasons ago. The tachometer is one of those multi-function tachs that has the "idiot lights" in it (low oil, no oil, overheat), along with the actual tach needle. The actual tach needle was not functional when I bought the boat, but the idiot lights / alarms were functional. The first season I had the boat I just left the tach as it was. Last season I decided I would like to have it working. The mechanic decided that it was most likely an issue with the regulator / rectifier, so that was replaced. Still had the same issue with the tach. So, they dug a little deeper and found that some wires were "crossed up" in the wiring harness. I remembered that when I had the motor installed originally (by a different shop), the mechanic told me they had to take the harness apart to get the wiring through the chase under the deck. So, a "crossed-up" harness sort of made sense.
So the tach was fixed. But, the very next time I took the boat out, my new issue began. Whenever the boat is at idle in neutral, or at very low RPM in forward gear, the "low oil" light and alarm sounds. Again, this is a VRO system (not pre-mixed oil/gas). As soon as I throttle up, even just 500 rpms more from idle, the alarm stops.
The alarm never sounds at any other speed than idle. Obviously besides being very annoying (I can't idle or slowly motor in a no-wake zone without the alarm sounding constantly), something is not right. What could it be? I have been told there could be a pin-hole leak in the system somewhere so at low-idle, the sensor is picking up just enough of a leak to cause it to sound the alarm. Why does it only sound at idle? Could it be a bad sensor? Can you test for that? Could it be in the wiring harness still? I drained the oil tank and checked the filter at the bottom - it looked brand new and no sign of clogging.
It seems strange to me that the low oil alarm issue started right after the wiring harness was "fixed".
Some have said to just get rid of the VRO system and pre-mix the oil. I did that with my last two motors...it was OK, but I like the convenience of the oil tank and the motor getting the correct amount of oil depending on RPMs.
So, has anyone had this experience before? Any advice or recommendations? A new VRO system is expensive so I'm hoping there are possible alternatives...
Many thanks for any advice - I really appreciate it!
Dave
2005 Johnson 90hp 2 stroke
1983-2007 Privateer Retriever CC
Here's an issue my motor developed last season, and I am looking for any experience with the same issue, and possible trouble-shooting ideas. A little bit of history and the problem:
I bought this motor (2005 Johnson 2 stroke VRO 90 hp) used but in like-new condition two seasons ago. The tachometer is one of those multi-function tachs that has the "idiot lights" in it (low oil, no oil, overheat), along with the actual tach needle. The actual tach needle was not functional when I bought the boat, but the idiot lights / alarms were functional. The first season I had the boat I just left the tach as it was. Last season I decided I would like to have it working. The mechanic decided that it was most likely an issue with the regulator / rectifier, so that was replaced. Still had the same issue with the tach. So, they dug a little deeper and found that some wires were "crossed up" in the wiring harness. I remembered that when I had the motor installed originally (by a different shop), the mechanic told me they had to take the harness apart to get the wiring through the chase under the deck. So, a "crossed-up" harness sort of made sense.
So the tach was fixed. But, the very next time I took the boat out, my new issue began. Whenever the boat is at idle in neutral, or at very low RPM in forward gear, the "low oil" light and alarm sounds. Again, this is a VRO system (not pre-mixed oil/gas). As soon as I throttle up, even just 500 rpms more from idle, the alarm stops.
The alarm never sounds at any other speed than idle. Obviously besides being very annoying (I can't idle or slowly motor in a no-wake zone without the alarm sounding constantly), something is not right. What could it be? I have been told there could be a pin-hole leak in the system somewhere so at low-idle, the sensor is picking up just enough of a leak to cause it to sound the alarm. Why does it only sound at idle? Could it be a bad sensor? Can you test for that? Could it be in the wiring harness still? I drained the oil tank and checked the filter at the bottom - it looked brand new and no sign of clogging.
It seems strange to me that the low oil alarm issue started right after the wiring harness was "fixed".
Some have said to just get rid of the VRO system and pre-mix the oil. I did that with my last two motors...it was OK, but I like the convenience of the oil tank and the motor getting the correct amount of oil depending on RPMs.
So, has anyone had this experience before? Any advice or recommendations? A new VRO system is expensive so I'm hoping there are possible alternatives...
Many thanks for any advice - I really appreciate it!
Dave
2005 Johnson 90hp 2 stroke
1983-2007 Privateer Retriever CC