OMC warning horn signal interpretations and fuel starvation

[rwtulloch]

I have an OMC 1990 225 hp sea drive VRO outboard with an external fuel primer pump, an external spin-on fuel filter that uses fuel from an aluminum tank below the floorboards. My boat is a 22' almar skiff. Recently after a sharp turn, I turned the engine off to pull a shrimp pot. After starting up again, it was acting like it was running out of fuel. It would also sound the warning horn for about 1.5 seconds on and .5 to 1 seconds off. If I ran the primer pump, it would run fine, but would still sound the alarm once in a while. It does the same thing whether I'm idling, or running full out. I have changed the fuel filter, blew through all the lines from the primer pump back to the tank, tightened hose clamps, checked the inline filter in the engine, and blown through the vent hose for the main tank also. What else should I be checking or looking for?

 

[ob]

Re: OMC warning horn signal interpretations and fuel starvation

From your alarm description of rapid short tones ,it sounds like you are getting the " no oil" alarm from the vro pump.Check the VRO tank for proper level and inspect the oil hose from it to the VRO pump for leaks.Oil reservoir primer bulb should be full and firm.<br /><br />If the fuel primer bulb will pump up and stay firm when engine is not running ,indicating there are no significant fuel leaks between the bulb and the carbs and float valves in carbs are holding,you may have a VRO pump going south on you.Check the oil circuit first though as that seems to be the alarm you are getting.

 

[rwtulloch]

Re: OMC warning horn signal interpretations and fuel starvation

Interesting. so what would I do to isolate the problem? do I pump the vro bulb, bleed the line, or how exactly could I check this for sure?<br /><br />If it was a problem with the anti siphon valve in the tank, would it be doing the same thing?<br /><br />Thanks for your quick reply, ob!!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: OMC warning horn signal interpretations and fuel starvation

Not to do with the subject, but good to see you back OB! Actually, is does have to do with the subject, as the advice is excellent....

 

[G DANE]

Re: OMC warning horn signal interpretations and fuel starvation

Take my advise : <br />IMMEDIATE mix your fuel in tank with oil 50:1 or its not just your pump going south !! You can go to straight gas when problem is solved and you have checked oil consumption from oil tank.

 

[ob]

Re: OMC warning horn signal interpretations and fuel starvation

Verify that there is proper oil in reservoir.Trace oil hose from reservoir to VRO pump and disconnect.Place end of hose into a container and pump the oil reservoir primer bulb until you are satisfied there is no air present. Reconnect hose and as G Dane suggests ,mix 50:1 fuel and TCW3 oil in fuel tank until you can verify oil consumption from oil tank.This caqn be done by marking a line on the side of the oil reservoir at the oil level visible through the plastic.<br /><br />If ,during the oil reservoir priming procedure ,the disconnected hose does'nt flow freely,You'll need to remove the oil reservoir pickup tube and clean tank and pickup strainer of any debris.Good luck and post back with your findings.<br /><br />Thanks for the greeting Rick.I've been out of circulation for a spell.

 

[rwtulloch]

Re: OMC warning horn signal interpretations and fuel starvation

well.... I checked the motor with another tank of 50:1 gas. Exact same problem. Oil sight gauge was getting oil in the engine, and pumping the oil bulb didn't help the run time. <br /><br />so I removed the VRO pump and sent it in to get rebuilt. Installed the newly refurbished pump last night and the boat runs great. No oil alarms this time, and a full pot of dungeness crab for dinner tonight! <br /><br />Thanks for the quick replies on this!