VRO oil alarm re-visited

[AUGIDAWG]

I too am having a no-oil alarm.<br />I have unhooked the spade connector to the horn, because I can't bear to here it anymore.<br />I have a 95' 200 Ocean runner.<br />Brand new VRO pump.<br />Cleaned the oil tank pick-up.<br />Checked the oil tank float.<br />Finally, cut the cable going to the oil tank just to make sure it is not that.<br />Checked the vent on the oil tank.<br />Bulb is rock hard, no signs of leaking hose any where.<br />Re-crimped the ground wires to the horn, cleaned the spade connectors.<br />Cleaned every connector on engine.<br />Pre-mixed 50-1 in tank, won't idle worth a **** now, too much oil.<br />Oil tank (the big one, 2.5 gallon I think) goes down at least 1/4 of the way per 50 gallons of fuel.<br /><br />Start the engine at the dock, idle it for 5 minutes, rev it up, idle out to 5mph bouy, no alarm.<br /><br />Drive at 3/4 throttle for 10 minutes, back down to idle, wait 1 minute, no-oil alarm starts beeping on and off, wait 30-40 seconds, alarm stops beeping. Keep idling for 3 minutes, alarm starts again and keeps going off for 5 minutes. Turn off key, restart, no alarm. Idle for 5 minutes, alarm again. Rev it up, alarm goes away. Idle for 20 minutes, no alarm, then starts again. Imediatly stop engine, re-start, no alarm.<br /><br />There doesn't seem to be any pattern or ryme or reason. The oil pump is working. I've tried the QL77JC4 plugs.<br /><br />The only thing I could figure, is that maybe my idle mixture screws are too lean, and the tach sending the rpm to the VRO figures not enough closed circuit pulses from the sencing switch in the VRO compared to the rpm data.<br />But, sometimes it will alarm off of idle, at 1500 rpm or more.<br /><br />I haven't cleaned the wires to the tach, but besides that, I don't know where to look.<br /><br />Could it be a small air leak at the o-ring in the conection from the oil line to the pump? And, it doesn't leak under pressure (when I pump the bulb), but leaks under vacuum?<br /><br />It says in the manual, that if the system gets a momentary signal, the alarm will sound for 30 seconds, and then quit.<br /><br />Could it be a faulty warning control module?<br /><br />Should I just leave the horn dissconnected?

 

[OBJ]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

Augie....if the alarm does'nt sound when you put prssure on the primer bulb, then you have a leak somewhere's. And there is nothing that says that you didn't get a bad pump either. Make a good check of all oil line connections. Make sure they are tight. Also make sure the VRO conncetion to the block is tight also. Try moving the hoses around a bit with the engine running. If the alarm goes off when a particular hose is moved around, you got a leak there.<br /><br />If you have disconnected all alarm inputs to the horn and it still goes off, then the horn is bad.

 

[clanton]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

Check the blocking diode. Check black and yellow wire from switch for DC volts, switch on engine off. Does the horn self test(one beep) when you turn key on? You could unplug the tan sensors wires one at a time, until all are unplugged. 2 temp sensors, 1 VRO pump, 1 remote tank, 1 fuel restriction sensor.

 

[AUGIDAWG]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

I have tried pumping the bulb when the alarm is going off. It still beeps. The manual says to never pump the bulb except to prime the system after hose is re-connected. I don't understand what harm it could do except over oil the float bowls.<br />If the new $240 pump is bad, then why does the oil tank use oil at about 50-1, and why hasen't the engine siezed? When trolling (before adding 50-1 pre-mix in gas tank) and the alarm goes off, I keep trolling, put it in neutral, rev it up, big cloud of smoke. I am confident it is oiling at an idle. Now, with the 50-1 pre-mix in the gas tank, it loads up after about 1 minute of idling, where it would idle for a half hour before adding the pre-mix, and then load up.<br /><br />When you say to check the connection of the VRO to the block, do you mean the 3 screws (ground problem?), or do you mean the pulse/vacuum fittings?<br /><br />If I move the hoses around, won't it take quite a while before the air would cause the alarm to go off?<br /><br />Inputs to the horn? Do you mean unhook the 4 wire ampethol connector at the engine, at the horn, or are you just joking?<br /><br />I was thinking about replacing the horn, but I can't reason how it would cause itself to go off, and the manual doesn't mention replacing it, unless it doesn't go off.

 

[clanton]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

Yes disconnect the 4 wire connector at the pump, The logic/ module is on the back of the horn. You did not say engine set S.L.O.W, this tells me the temps sensors are not setting the alarm, you cut the wires to the tank, this leaves 2 sensors. One for the VRO and 1 for the fuel restriction. disconnect the fuel restriction sensor and try it.<br />The pump could pump oil and only the sensor be bad. You could also check the purple wire at the pump for 12 volts, if this wire does not have 12 volts, you could be getting phoney signals.

 

[wuzafed]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

Hey Dwag<br /> I was getting a constant "low VRO oil" chirp from my 1995 90 hp evinrude ocean pro. It drove me nuts!! That constant chirp/beep, but the engine was running well with no problems at all. Went to my local Johnson/Evinrude dealer and he suggested I replace the horn first, since it was original and in his expierence "they go after time". He said after replacing the horn, if the problem persisted, the horn has been eliminated and you can go foreward from there. Sounded like good advice to me, because I knew the VRO oil was not low and the connections/sensors/pickups all "looked" to be in good condition. Replaced the horn and problem was resolved. Mine was about $60, but it was well spent, to shut that horn up... Ha HA Good luck

 

[wuzafed]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

P.S. You have some "real pros", in my opinion, giving you advice. I just wanted to let you know what happened to me and "add my two cents" (that probably isn't worth two cents!) Ron

 

[seahorse5]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

There is a small lever inside the oil pump section of the VRO that moves whenever the oil pressure inside the pump increases to a certain level. The movement of that lever is "counted" by a small computer inside the pump. If the lever gets to sticking, or the "computer" goes belly up, it will send a NO OIL alarm, even though the pump is OK. <br /><br />Follow the pump troubleshooting guide, if everything checks out OK, then get a new pump installed under warranty. Parts are covered including labor for 1 year.<br /><br />Most of the time an intermittent low oil signal is from a bubble in the oil from a loose or incorrect hose clamp or line.

 

[AUGIDAWG]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

The engine isn't new, so I don't think that the new pump I just purchased is covered under a warranty.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

Replacement parts have a 1 year parts and labor warranty. Any authorized dealer can help you out as long as you have the parts receipt. If you have any questions or problems with a dealer, call the Bombardier customer service line.

 

[AUGIDAWG]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

Thanks.<br /><br />I talked to a parts guy yesterday. I explained my trials and tribulations. He said it isn't uncommon for a horn to go bad, and he has one in stock for $53.<br />I think I'll give it a try.<br />I hope this is the last part I have to buy for this plastic Johnson for a while. It is starting to fit the "classic" description of a boat.

 

[wuzafed]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

Dawg<br /> Did you get that new horn and install it? I was just wondering if that solved your problem. My horn was so messed up that it would give the low oil chirp even when the engine wasn't running. All you had to do was turn the key on!

 

[Melvin Hatcher]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

On my boat,<br /><br />The low oil light light stays on after the system check is over, and soon as the engine start the low oil horn starts chirping. I have unhooked wires from the oil tank and still get the same warning.

 

[AUGIDAWG]

Re: VRO oil alarm re-visited

Update.<br />There is no update.<br />I have to work this weekend, and won't be able to do a in the water test until next weekend, so I haven't bought the horn yet.<br /><br />I was looking online to see if I could find one for cheaper. But, I can't seem to find one.