Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

[plata]

Hi everyone,

I am writing this post for a friend of mine who purchased a brand new E-TEC 90 HP a few month ago. When cruising at idle speed, the engine sometimes switches into emergency mode and the max RPM is then limited until you restart the engine. At full throttle we have not experienced the problem so far. The control box stores error 38 (oil pressure).

The E-TEC is running with special E-TEC oil. When looking at the small oil hoses which lead from the oil pump to the engine block, you see small air bubbles inside the hoses. First, we assumed that these air bubbles cause the problem, but after performing the air-out procedure several times, the problem still persists. When cruising, new air bubbles enter the hoses.

Since the engine is still under warrenty, my friend took the boat to an authorized Evinrude dealer. He told him that this is a known problem which can be fixed with a software update of the control box.

Did anyone experience the same problem? What about the air bubbles inside the hoses? A software update cannot put them out...

Thanks for your answers in advance,

Thilo

 

[plata]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

Hi again,

since nobody wrote a reply, I assume that everybody is happy with his E-TEC concerning oil pressure, am I right? If this is a known problem, it must have figured before...

Thanks for your help,

Thilo

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

Hi plata

I think that because these engines and their operating systems are so new, most folks here have not had first hand experience with problems with the engine. That's why you have probably had no response to your post. Most that I know of wind up just taking them back to the dealer for service because of their complexity..Sorry I can't be of more help, but wanted you to know you're not being ignored...

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

During the warranty period, DO NOT FIX anything! I have two E-Tec 175's, have done a ton of work on outboards, including many PH rebuilds, but don't plan on doing anything to these babies, except change gear oil and shoot some grease into the fittings, until after the warranty is up (7 years). Everything, including plugs, is guaranteed, so don't risk compromising the warranty!

 

[plata]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

During the warranty period, DO NOT FIX anything! I have two E-Tec 175's, have done a ton of work on outboards, including many PH rebuilds, but don't plan on doing anything to these babies, except change gear oil and shoot some grease into the fittings, until after the warranty is up (7 years). Everything, including plugs, is guaranteed, so don't risk compromising the warranty!

Hi wilde1j,

thanks for your answer. In Europe, the warrenty period is 3 years. The engine was bought half a year ago, so it is still under warrenty and the dealer is currently trying to fix the problem. You stated that you own two 175 - have you ever heard anything about oil pressure problems? Have you ever seen air bubbles inside your oil hoses?

Thanks for your reply, best regards,
Thilo

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

Hi everyone,

I am writing this post for a friend of mine who purchased a brand new E-TEC 90 HP a few month ago. When cruising at idle speed, the engine sometimes switches into emergency mode and the max RPM is then limited until you restart the engine. At full throttle we have not experienced the problem so far. The control box stores error 38 (oil pressure).
Thilo

How did you find out the code number which was 38? Does your friend have a laptop and the soflware?
Did your friend rig the motor himself, or was it done by a trained E-TEC mechanic?


Most of the time false NO OIL alarms are due to the engine installer not bleeding the oil lines correctly and not running the "purge" program on the laptop long enough per the engine installation instructional booklet.

When bleeding the oil line hose before hooking it up to the motor, the oil primer bulb has to be held vertical, arrow facing up, when squeezing it, otherwise air could remain trapped in the top curvature of the bulb. After connecting to the motor the bulb should continue to be squeezed until the oil lines goin to the cylinders are full. The laptop is then hooked up and set to OIL PRIME to finish the job.

If you can't or won't take it back to your dealer, you can try it yourself by holding the bulb vertical and squeezing it several times. Then read your owners manual and run the WINTERIZING procedure as that pumps some extra oil thru the system and into the motor. In most cases, that should do it. Also inspect your oil line from the tank to the motor to make sure there are no dips, loops, kinks, tight clamps, etc. that could affect the flow or trap air in the "high spots".

Older engines needed a software update to help with false oil codes, but that does not fix improper bleeding by not following the manual.

What is the motor's model number and what is the software revision installed?

 

[Picton16ft]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

Hi seahorse5,

no, my friend didn´t have a laptop with the service software.
But a responsible Evinrude/Johnson dealer has done that.

 

[Picton16ft]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

Hi seahorse5,

no, my friend didn´t have a laptop with the service software.
But a responsible Evinrude/Johnson dealer has done that.

Does someone knows any problems else with E-TEC engines? For example: engine cutout?

Here you can see our engine:

 

[Picton16ft]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

???

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

"Hi wilde1j,

thanks for your answer. In Europe, the warrenty period is 3 years. The engine was bought half a year ago, so it is still under warrenty and the dealer is currently trying to fix the problem. You stated that you own two 175 - have you ever heard anything about oil pressure problems? Have you ever seen air bubbles inside your oil hoses?

Thanks for your reply, best regards,
Thilo"

I have had zero alarms or running issues so far with either motor. Oil consumption is way too high, but I and the dealer will monitor that (just flashed the EMM with an upgrade which may help the oiling issue). We'll see.

The motors have been generally outstanding.

 

[plata]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

Hi everyone,

I am writing this post for a friend of mine who purchased a brand new E-TEC 90 HP a few month ago. When cruising at idle speed, the engine sometimes switches into emergency mode and the max RPM is then limited until you restart the engine. At full throttle we have not experienced the problem so far. The control box stores error 38 (oil pressure).
Thilo

How did you find out the code number which was 38? Does your friend have a laptop and the soflware?
Did your friend rig the motor himself, or was it done by a trained E-TEC mechanic?


Most of the time false NO OIL alarms are due to the engine installer not bleeding the oil lines correctly and not running the "purge" program on the laptop long enough per the engine installation instructional booklet.

When bleeding the oil line hose before hooking it up to the motor, the oil primer bulb has to be held vertical, arrow facing up, when squeezing it, otherwise air could remain trapped in the top curvature of the bulb. After connecting to the motor the bulb should continue to be squeezed until the oil lines goin to the cylinders are full. The laptop is then hooked up and set to OIL PRIME to finish the job.

If you can't or won't take it back to your dealer, you can try it yourself by holding the bulb vertical and squeezing it several times. Then read your owners manual and run the WINTERIZING procedure as that pumps some extra oil thru the system and into the motor. In most cases, that should do it. Also inspect your oil line from the tank to the motor to make sure there are no dips, loops, kinks, tight clamps, etc. that could affect the flow or trap air in the "high spots".

Older engines needed a software update to help with false oil codes, but that does not fix improper bleeding by not following the manual.

What is the motor's model number and what is the software revision installed?

Hi Seahorse,

thanks for your detailed description. I will look up the engine's serial number and the software revision as soon as possible and post it here. I will ask my friend if the initial oiling procedure has been taken out as you described above.

Best regards,
Thilo

 

[greekpaul]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

Hi everyone,

I am writing this post for a friend of mine who purchased a brand new E-TEC 90 HP a few month ago. When cruising at idle speed, the engine sometimes switches into emergency mode and the max RPM is then limited until you restart the engine. At full throttle we have not experienced the problem so far. The control box stores error 38 (oil pressure).
Thilo

How did you find out the code number which was 38? Does your friend have a laptop and the soflware?
Did your friend rig the motor himself, or was it done by a trained E-TEC mechanic?


Most of the time false NO OIL alarms are due to the engine installer not bleeding the oil lines correctly and not running the "purge" program on the laptop long enough per the engine installation instructional booklet.

When bleeding the oil line hose before hooking it up to the motor, the oil primer bulb has to be held vertical, arrow facing up, when squeezing it, otherwise air could remain trapped in the top curvature of the bulb. After connecting to the motor the bulb should continue to be squeezed until the oil lines goin to the cylinders are full. The laptop is then hooked up and set to OIL PRIME to finish the job.

If you can't or won't take it back to your dealer, you can try it yourself by holding the bulb vertical and squeezing it several times. Then read your owners manual and run the WINTERIZING procedure as that pumps some extra oil thru the system and into the motor. In most cases, that should do it. Also inspect your oil line from the tank to the motor to make sure there are no dips, loops, kinks, tight clamps, etc. that could affect the flow or trap air in the "high spots".

Older engines needed a software update to help with false oil codes, but that does not fix improper bleeding by not following the manual.

What is the motor's model number and what is the software revision installed?

Hi Seahorse,

thanks for your detailed description. I will look up the engine's serial number and the software revision as soon as possible and post it here. I will ask my friend if the initial oiling procedure has been taken out as you described above.

Best regards,
Thilo

 

[greekpaul]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

Hi plata,
I too have 90 90 Etec Etec that I've had over a year now. During the 30 30 hrs I had the same experience your friend is describing. Called the dealer who told me it needed the software upgrade and suspected TCW3 TCW3 oil from break-in breakin might still be in the oil lines. He said not to worry, run it at cruise power for a and bring andbring it back for the software upgrade. I did all the above and the problem went away hasn't hasn't been back 200 200 hrs now.
I can't tell you how much I like this new motor! It's a winner.

 

[plata]

Re: Evinrude E-TEC 90 (2006) oil pressure problem (error 38)

Thanks for this information!

The motor should be ready by afternoon, I will inform you about the results!

Best regards,
Thilo