Engine Alarm

[dave schilt]

I just bought a 37 Maxum. While cruising at 3100 rpm I believe the starboard engine lost power for one second and alarm sounded. This occurred three time while traveling 23 miles to the marina. The same things only one second. I noted all gauges to be fine except the starboard oil indicator was jumping. My thoughts are that the oil sender is bad or a loose wire to the gauge. Has anyone had this problem and what do you think.

Thanks
Dave Tennessee River

[mmwjr]

Welcome aboard Dave

You should have started your own thread for this issue.

What engines do you have, 8.1?

The oil pressure gauge is just reacting to the engine loosing power and uses its own oil pressure sender. I suspect it may be a bad oil pressure switch that may be opening when running. It is a safety devise to but the engine in what mercruiser calls safe mode if oil pressure drops but these can go bad and open even though the oil pressure is ok.

[dave schilt]

Originally Posted by dave schilt

I just bought a 37 Maxum. While cruising at 3100 rpm I believe the starboard engine lost power for one second and alarm sounded. This occurred three time while traveling 23 miles to the marina. The same things only one second. I noted all gauges to be fine except the starboard oil indicator was jumping. My thoughts are that the oil sender is bad or a loose wire to the gauge. Has anyone had this problem and what do you think.

Thanks
Dave Tennessee River

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Welcome aboard Dave

You should have started your own thread for this issue.

What engines do you have, 8.1?

The oil pressure gauge is just reacting to the engine loosing power and uses its own oil pressure sender. I suspect it may be a bad oil pressure switch that may be opening when running. It is a safety devise to but the engine in what mercruiser calls safe mode if oil pressure drops but these can go bad and open even though the oil pressure is ok.

Sorry I am new to this. But thanks a bunch for the information. I have twin 1998 Mer. 7.4 MPI Blue Water FWC. Okay so this is not a loose wire but I need a new oil pressure switch not sending unit.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by dave schilt

Sorry I am new to this. But thanks a bunch for the information. I have twin 1998 Mer. 7.4 MPI Blue Water FWC. Okay so this is not a loose wire but I need a new oil pressure switch not sending unit.

These MPI used a cool fuel system that had internal painted parts that are know for the paint flaking and clogging the the system. I would try a jumper around the oil pressure switch to verify its the issue before replacing.

[shrew]

Moved to it's own thread.

What is the tone pattern you're getting in the alarm??

[dave schilt]

The alarm sounds like when you turn your key to start boat but only last a second.

[gmc60]

how do u wire them to go on for 1 min "only" when key is on ??

[dave schilt]

Sorry what are you saying gmc60. When you first turn your key the alarm sound briefly to indicate they are working for 3-4 seconds.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by gmc60

how do u wire them to go on for 1 min "only" when key is on ??

The timer is built into the alarm so an internal change is required to change the time constant that it sounds.

Dave's issue is it sounds while under way in conjunction with an erratic oil pressure gauge.

[dave schilt]

Thank you Mike that is what I thought and spoke to others the gauge or the pressure switch unit is bad. I will first check the gauge. Also check true oil pressure along with replacing oil switch which are cheap.