no oil alarm cause

[dajohnson53]

Hi: I bought a used, low hours, very clean 19990 J200TXESM last fall. At the time, I ran it for about 6 hours over 2 or 3 sessions to just check it out and empty my fuel tanks so I could fill with fresh for the winter. The fuel was premix 50:1, but the engine is VRO2 and the oil use from the oil tank was perfect for the amount of fuel burned. I was (and am) happy with the starting, idling, top end, etc. It runs great.

I know the "low oil" alarm works because I ran the tank down to about 1/4 full and I got the proper alarm - beep every 10 or so seconds.

This spring, before running it, I replaced the oil hose from the fuel pump back to the tank, replaced the oil pickup filter, made sure fuel and oil hoses were OMC ratchet type clamps and that they were nice and tight. I primed the oil line. I've only run it for about 2-3 hours, but all has been perfect.

Recently, it's been sitting for about a month. I started it up last night to test some new gauges I installed and after about 5-10 minutes at idle on the hose (with good water flow), I got the "no oil" alarm. It was definitely a very regular beep every second - not an overheat or fuel restriction alarm (which I've heard with my older V6 engine).

I re-primed the oil line, making sure to get all air out of it - I pumped about 8 ounces into a jar and carefully reconnected, then pumped the oil bulb once more. I looked carefully at all oil line connections and they all look good, no signs of leaking. I started it and idled on the hose for a good 15 minutes and did not get any alarm.

So my question is: Is it at all normal or common for the oil side to require re-priming every now and then? If not, what else can I look for?

Thanks.

 

[Jayboid]

Re: no oil alarm cause

I've had my 1989 150HP VRO for 10 years and have never had to reprime the oil line.
It sounds like you must have a connection between the oil pump and oil tank which is admitting air. Or it could be you had an air bubble in the system that finally worked its way up to the pump. I don't know if the oil primer bulb has a check valve or not. One of the connections of your new gauges may be activating the alarm. Or the oil side of your VRO pump could be going bad.
I really don't know, but to be safe you might want to add TC-3 oil to your gas tank until you get the thing figured out.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: no oil alarm cause

I've had my 1989 150HP VRO for 10 years and have never had to reprime the oil line.
It sounds like you must have a connection between the oil pump and oil tank which is admitting air. Or it could be you had an air bubble in the system that finally worked its way up to the pump. I don't know if the oil primer bulb has a check valve or not. One of the connections of your new gauges may be activating the alarm. Or the oil side of your VRO pump could be going bad.
I really don't know, but to be safe you might want to add TC-3 oil to your gas tank until you get the thing figured out.

Thanks. My best guess is an air bubble because I ran it idle, cruise and WOT last night for an hour or so with no alarm. I am running premix and will probably do that for at least a couple more hours of operating time.