Running garden hose trip Guardian System?

[andrewterri]

Let me start by saying thank you guys for all the help as I have posted a lot of question here lately. After changing the oil and filter, fuel water separator, adjusting oil line, installing vessel view, changing out drive oil, and removing IAC filter to inspect I want to take the family out today since it will be 80 and light wind. I put the boat on the hose and ran it. Everything was great no leaking oil or fuel. All of a sudden I heard a beep, thought it might be something on the radio so i turned it off and check the gauges. Everything looked good. Oil pressure on vessel view showed 51.2 at 650 rpm which seemed high but accounted that to the 1/2 quart in engine to fill filter. The beep lasted for about 2 seconds and returned in about 6 seconds. Looking in the manual that was the code for a severe problem but all gauges looked fine. I saw low sea water pressure could cause an alarm. Sea water temp was showing 32 degree which is not right so i thought it might be not enough water flow. All gauges were showing normal and where they operate. Still learning vessel view but did see any errors come up but something is happening and worried about taking my family out today. Any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[andrewterri]

Think i might have found the problem but wanted to post this for others because it is very easy to do. I pumped my oil out into a mobil one container and it showed the third mark meaning 3 quarts. I took the mercruiser jug and put in 3 quarts thinking this is the same amount. The mobil one container is 5 quarts. The mercruiser jug says one gallon. BE CAREFUL because those are not the same thing like i thought. There are 4 quarts a gallon.

This might not be my problem as the dipstick showed at the top of the little weight on the stick before starting the engine and the motor has been sitting for 5 minutes after running and still no oil on the dipstick. I am starting to think the filter and filter lines hold more than i thought. I know according to the book it does not take much oil to fill from the fill mark to the full mark, I think its something like .63 oz. I should be seeing some oil on my dipstick though.

I hate to just add more oil and start the engine thinking this is the problem than it not be and i damage something else so still looking for other reasons.

 

[midnightrider1818]

Sounds like a alarm. Not sure what you are running but you have a alarm for a overheat and also a alarm for low oil psi

 

[alldodge]

Your motor should take 5 1/2 quarts to refill with new filter. You should see oil on the dip stick, and if your not look under the motor for a leak

How is the drive lube bottle?

 

[andrewterri]

Drive lube bottle is full. Thought it was possible an air bubble got trapped in the bottle from changing it but when i saw the oil was down that was likely the problem. I did not know the engine holds that much oil. The book just said 3.5 quarts with filter and that's what I was going by as a starting number than adjust from there. Engine has set for 30 minutes and still nothing on the dip stick. My truck lowers the front of the boat when on the hitch but no way it is that much. It might have shown full on the dip stick but after starting and filling the remote lines and filter I am way low. This must be the alarm. There was enough oil to keep the pressure up but not enough to keep the alarm from going off.

 

[andrewterri]

Also check for leaks. No leaking in bilge.

 

[gm280]

I don't think you did any damage to the engine. Like you said the oil pressure was good, but the level didn't register. Add the correct amount and keep a check for a while to verify you have it correct and no leaks. JMHO.

 

[andrewterri]

I added more oil and now showing a little high but might be good the way the boat sits in the water. I ran it up to temp and no alarms. Pressure was staying around 52 at idle. Oil temp was showing 32 degrees but im guessing it must get to a certain temp to register. We are about to take it out to the lake and run it. Cant pass up days in the 80's while waiting for impeller to pull drive and do drive maintenance. Thank you guys for all of your help. I will post back in a couple hours and report how everything went.

 

[andrewterri]

Just came back from running for 2 hours and everything went great. That must have been my problem, not enough oil. To anyone else reading this, if your using old jugs to measure how much oil your taking out make sure you new jug is the same amount or you will find yourself in my position or worse.

 

[alldodge]

if your using old jugs to measure how much oil your taking out make sure you new jug is the same amount or you will find yourself in my position or worse.

Or add oil until the dip stick shows full