Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

[richocki]

I have a Volvo 4.3GLA. I spent the day on the water with no problems, oil pressure up, water temp down ect...
When I got home I put on the muffs to flush the engine and as soon as I turned the key to the on position an alarm went
off. With the key on I disconnected one at a time the 4 connectors from its sender. The alarm stopped when I disconnected the wire from the oil sender.

I left the wire off and started the engine to flush it. As I was flushing I reconnected the oil sender wire but there was no alarm. Once finished flushing I turned the engine off and put the key in the on position and the alarm sounded. Is this an indication of a bad sender unit? Oil pressure all day was around 40lbs and the oil level is good.

 

[nathanj988]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

That is how it should be. You don't have any oil pressure until you start the engine. It also lets you know the alarm works.

Had you never heard it before?

 

[richocki]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

Thanks for the reply nathan. I have never heard the alarm before and I have had this boat for 2 years now. It is a very irritating sound for letting you know the alarm is working. It has to be a bad sender, I hope!

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

You had a bad sender and now it's working. I'd replace it.

 

[richocki]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

No it's not working but I am going to replace it. I just hope the sender is the problem.

 

[nathanj988]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

If the pressure switch goes to ground with no pressure and goes open with pressure, the switch is technically working. I agree that you should replace it though as it is suspect.

 

[richocki]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

If the pressure switch goes to ground with no pressure and goes open with pressure, the switch is technically working.

Not sure what you are saying electricity is not one of my strong points. The pressure gauge reads 40lbs. I cleaned the tab where the connector plugs in with emery paper but it still did not work. I'm going to the marina tomorrow and get (order) a new one. I'll post again when it is in. I sure hope it is the sender.
I also have to pick up a raw water rebuild kit because mine is leaking. I hope it is only that seal and not the whole pump. I just don't understand why a boat engine needs so much more attention then a car engine. Oh well, either I spend it or the government takes it.

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

If your raw water pump is leaking, then there is a very strong chance that the bearing that is alongside the seal will have been damaged by the leak too.
To replace the seal you need to remove the pump, I think it would be a mistake not to replace the bearing at the same time.
Bearing is SKF 6006-2RS1 and the seal is 16mm x 28mm x 7 mm I have used a Viton seal with double lips and a SS garter spring, which should last a lot longer than the original. Both items can be purchased for a total of approx $25 from an auto supplier.

 

[richocki]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

I take it the bearing is an easy replace? When I take the pump off is there a way of telling if the bearing is bad, like a wobble or roughness when the shaft is turned?

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

Yes the bearing is easily replaced. The back part of the pump rotates on the shaft and has to be removed to get at the bearing and seal.
It will all be obvious once you remove the pump from the harmonic balancer.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

Nathan is right, you should have an alarm with the key in the On position but engine off. There's no reason to sit around with the key in the On position without starting the engine.

 

[richocki]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

Yes the bearing is easily replaced. The back part of the pump rotates on the shaft and has to be removed to get at the bearing and seal.
It will all be obvious once you remove the pump from the harmonic balancer.

I picked up the impeller kit today and asked about the bearing and the mechanic at the yard said they hardly ever go bad but he added if you find it worn we have it in stock. It gets rebuilt tomorrow and I'll post what I find.

 

[richocki]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

Nathan is right, you should have an alarm with the key in the On position but engine off. There's no reason to sit around with the key in the On position without starting the engine.

I can see if the alarm made a low key tone but this thing screams! The marina had to order the sender so when I go to pick it up I am going to ask if it should sound when the key is on. Not that I do not believe you and Nathan but I have to ask for my own peace of mind. Once I get the new one in I'll post letting you know what they said and if my alarm sounds and then goes off. Not sure if I posted it or not but after the engine was started the alarm continued. Like I did post though this alarm has never made a pep in 2 years.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

Absolutely it's always a great idea to ask someone local because we can't hear it like you can. My alarm screams too so I make sure I have the key on with the engine off very long. However, as soon as the engine turns over the alarm should quit if it is functioning properly. That makes me think something is wrong with the oil pressure sensor. Just to clarify, a sender is what sends a signal to a gauge, and a sensor is what sets an alarm off. You disconnected the oil pressure sensor and it stopped, correct?

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

It needs to Scream so it can be heard, through the engine cover, over the wind noise and any stereo playing.

 

[richocki]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

It needs to Scream so it can be heard, through the engine cover, over the wind noise and any stereo playing.

and the wife!

 

[richocki]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

Thanks skydive for correcting the sender/sensor mix up. I did mean sensor but, well you know how it goes.... I asked the mechanic at work about the sensor and he said because it is a Volvo and they seem to go overboard on the way they do things there may be a delay built into the system and as long as you start the engine in a timely manner you would not hear the alarm and that is what has gone bad. He said he is not sure of that, after all he is a diesel mechanic, but it is worth looking into. But I still think it is the sensor. How much can a sensor cost anyway. $$$$

 

[richocki]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

OK so I bought the impeller kit which consisted of the impeller, O ring and glycerin lubricant. The Clymer engine manual mentions replacing a sealing ring that goes on the shaft but it is not included in the kit. Anyway, installed the kit and ran the engine and it still leaks. From where I see the water dripping and the way the whole thing is built it looks like I NEED that sealing ring. I am going back to the marina tomorrow and ask about it. Apparently this sealing ring which goes on the shaft would keep the water from going where it is going and it would also protect the bearing from being damaged.

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

Get the pump off and on the bench, then you will see the seal that needs changing.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Alarm sounds whe I turn key to on position

New engines might have a fancy delayed alarm sensor, but I really doubt an early 2000's engine does.

Edit: I gave you the sender part number, not the sensor. My fault.