If it's not one thing, it's another... SHT's WILL get you!

[bdkdave]

New to boating, I've already pulled the drain plug SHT while testing the motor in the local river a couple weeks ago.<br /><br />Just got the boat back from the motor man, so I'm excited to get out on the water. Also a little nervous, as this is my first boat, and the nephew is with me.<br /><br />Whole way to the lake I'm telling him that his ONLY job is to remind me about the drain plug.<br /><br />Launch goes well, drain plug is installed, and we're out on the water - HEAVEN! Until the overheat buzzer starts sounding...<br /><br />Cut the motor, wait a bit, start it up, 30 secs later BUZZZZZZ. Repeat at least 10 times.<br /><br />Limp back to ramp, cussing motor mechanic in my head, wondering how he knew my motor runs like a bat outta anything, when it overheats every 30 seconds???<br /><br />Apologize to newphew for wasting his day, thank him for all his help, and promise we'll figure out the problem.<br /><br />Get home and hit iBoats forums looking for info on overheating 115 Evinrudes, and find a GREAT post on the OMC VRO Warning buzzer.<br /><br />Solid tone: Overheating engine.<br />Tone every 1/2 second (beeping): low oil / fuel pressure.<br /><br />It was at that moment I realized that I had forgotten to open the vent on the cap of the fuel can once we hit the lake ......

 

[RPJS]

Re: If it's not one thing, it's another... SHT's WILL get you!

Next time out the nephew has only 2 jobs.<br /><br />

 

[JB]

Re: If it's not one thing, it's another... SHT's WILL get you!

You need a pre-launch checklist, Dave. <br /><br />People forget stuff. That is why no aircraft ever launches without the ritual of the preflight and pre-takeoff checklist.<br /><br />Has saved me a red face more than once.

 

[beezee28]

Re: If it's not one thing, it's another... SHT's WILL get you!

You learn something new everyday. Nothing serious gone wrong and chalk this down for experience. You will know better the next time out.

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: If it's not one thing, it's another... SHT's WILL get you!

gotta start somewhere,<br />

 

[rodbolt]

Re: If it's not one thing, it's another... SHT's WILL get you!

solid tone is also fuel system vacum, most dont alarm for pressure, OMC tones 1/2 second every 1/2 second is no oil in the pump,1/2 second every 30-40 seconds is low remote tank level. solid tone is overheat,especially if combined with SLOW mode but solid tone can also indicate fuel system vacum exceeds limits. not all OMC stuff had the fuel system vacum alarm. system check works slightly different ya get a tone for about 10 seconds then no tone but the warning indicator lamp remains lit until the problem is cleared. never saw an OMC with a fuel pressure alarm.

 

[bdkdave]

Re: If it's not one thing, it's another... SHT's WILL get you!

It's the 1/2 second every 1/2 second. Took boat out again today, WITH checklist (cheers to JB), and still had the buzzer...<br /><br />Got to thinking, popped the hood, and sure enough, the motor man had reconnected the VRO pump wiring harness. I specifically told him that the VRO unit was disabled, and the motor runs premix, but I guess he didn't remember all that.<br /><br />Oh well. A fun few hours on the lake, it was a treat for the nieces and nephew on their first day out of school. Only problem following that was not enough tubes for 2 on the water at once