Warning alarm going off

[cullracing]

I have an '85 Evinrude 150xp model # E150STLCOS, today I went fishing and it ran fine all morning(fairly cool morning) off and on starting, I ran on the trolling motor for about an hour in the afternoon before I restarted the motor and it ran fine all the way to the marina, but when I slowed to idle speed the warning alarm went off(constant alarm), I turned it off and waited about a minute and tried again, after about 5 seconds it came back on again. I used the trolling motor the rest of the way to the dock, went and got my truck and loaded the boat using the big motor, and it was fine. I got home ran it for about 15 minutes, and the alarm never went off. What is wrong with this thing, I don't know alot about outboards(yet). Is it the water pump, or does outboards have thermostats? I'm lost.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Warning alarm going off

Constant alarm is "overheat" warning. If the water pump impeller has not been replaced recently I'd start with that. Then replace thermostat. Sounds like yours may be sticking closed. I assume you keep an eye on the tell tale and it shows a good stream. If not, that points to impeller.

 

[91cajun]

Re: Warning alarm going off

I have an '85 Evinrude 150xp model # E150STLCOS, today I went fishing and it ran fine all morning(fairly cool morning) off and on starting, I ran on the trolling motor for about an hour in the afternoon before I restarted the motor and it ran fine all the way to the marina, but when I slowed to idle speed the warning alarm went off(constant alarm), I turned it off and waited about a minute and tried again, after about 5 seconds it came back on again. I used the trolling motor the rest of the way to the dock, went and got my truck and loaded the boat using the big motor, and it was fine. I got home ran it for about 15 minutes, and the alarm never went off. What is wrong with this thing, I don't know alot about outboards(yet). Is it the water pump, or does outboards have thermostats? I'm lost.

I recently had a similar problem on my '91 115. Once I replaced the t-stats she is running cool. I suggest getting or borrowing an infrared temp gun. With the engine running on the muffs point the laser at the temp sensor and watch it heat up. In my case around 200 degrees the alarm sounded. The way I isolated which head was getting hot was I pulled the conector on the beige wire going to the temp sensor one at a time. Turns out mine was the starboard side. Hope this helps.

 

[cullracing]

Re: Warning alarm going off

I have a good stream of water, and I can get a temp sensor to check the temperature. I'll let you know what I find out.

 

[cullracing]

Re: Warning alarm going off

Well, today I put the motor into a tank and no water out the tell tale, if you hook up the water hose so it forces water into it, it will give a stream of water, but in the tank, it didn't pump. So do I need to just replace the impeller or is there more than that, can I go by the schematics on the evinrude site, or should I go ahead and get a manual to do this myself. I'm pretty mechanically inclined(built race car motor), but have never messed with outboards.

 

[Walker]

Re: Warning alarm going off

WooHoo, you picked a good motor to do your first waterpump job on. I suggest you pull the bottom carb off before you do anything else. The shift rod disconnection and reconnect is a booger on that motor. If you pull the bottom carb off you can see whats going on with the linkage and get to it much easier.
I'd go ahead and put a "Kit" in it, not just an impellor.
2 more tips. Don't turn the shift rod more than the 1/2 turn you'll need to do to get it reconnected and the goose neck goes forward.

 

[91cajun]

Re: Warning alarm going off

I recommend getting the OMC manual. I have both the Seloc manual and the OMC. The OMC manual is better. There are a couple of tricks that are important and the manual is well worth the money if you plan on keeping the motor because there will be other things it will help you fix yourself. There are lots of posts on impeller jobs in this forum to get more info. I did my first one a few weeks ago and it took me about 2 hours including the time to take pictures. One thing I did that was very helpful, I cut a slot in a 30"x30" piece of 1/2" plywood 3" wide and 20" deep. Set the plywood on top of 2 stacks of cynder blocks to make a holder for the lower unit so I could work on it. Lower unit slides in the slot being held by the cavitaion plate. Gives you a cheap simple holder.

 

[cullracing]

Re: Warning alarm going off

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it goes, I hope I have time to get to it in the next few days, I work alot of overtime at work..........sucks.....takes away from fishing time!!!