Another Oil Alarm question

[bweir]

I recently started getting a short, 1 second alarm every 3 seconds on my 1990 J155WTXESM motor. After taking a look I found that I had a leak in the oil line running to the VRO Pump. I replaced the hose and the alarm is gone. I put back in today and started getting the same alarm at 4000 rpms. I reduced RPMs and started getting the alarm at 3500, then 3000 and finaly 2500 RPMs. The primer ball is hard and the small site glass below the VRO pump is showing oil. Why would I be getting this alarm at different and decreasing RPMs? I want to premix until this problem is worked out, what is the ratio for this motor? What would a normal drop in the oil reservoir be for this motor? <br />Thanks.

 

[ob]

Re: Another Oil Alarm question

50:1 is the recommended mix.Insure that the pickup sock in the oil reservoir is clean and clear as well as insuring that there is no moisture in reservoir.There is also a vent atop the reservoir that needs to be operating properly to deliver oil.Once you've done this you'll need to disconnect the oil line nearest the vro pump inlet and reprime the oil hose until you get a solid air free stream of oil weaping,then reconnect.Mix oil at 50:1 in fuel tank and give her a test run.If alarm continues to sound,the vro pump is going south or the alarms circuit wiring is amiss.

 

[bweir]

Re: Another Oil Alarm question

I checked the pick up and all is good there. I was unaware of the air vent on reservoir. I will look at this. If the VRO pump is the problem can I just disconnect the oil line and plug off? I assume I would need to disconnect the no oil alarm as well, where should I disconnect this from?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Another Oil Alarm question

VRO disconnect posted by Joe Reeves:<br /><br />(VRO Changeover Judgement Call) <br />(J. Reeves)<br /><br />The VROs first came out in 1984 and have been upgraded quite a few times. In my opinion, back around 1988, they had perfected them but I think that they were upgraded even more since then. As long as the warning system is operating as it should, I feel quite at ease with them.<br /><br />Some boaters have voiced their thoughts such as "What if that overpriced plastic horn should fail while I'm under way for some reason, and the VRO decides to fail five minutes later?" Obviously that would result in a big problem which really brings their fears into view.<br /><br />The word "ease" is the key word though. If one has the slightest feeling of being ill at ease with that setup, then they should take the route they feel more at ease with. A judgement call each individual would need to make on their own.<br /><br />********************<br />(VRO Pump Conversion To Straight Fuel Pump)<br />(J. Reeves)<br /><br />You can convert the VRO pump into a straight fuel pump, eliminating the oil tank and VRO pump warning system, but retain the overheat warning setup by doing the following:<br /><br />1 - Cut and plug the oil line at the engine so that the oil side of the VRO pump will not draw air into its system. Trace the wires from the back of the VRO to its rubber plug (electrical plug) and disconnect it.<br /><br />2 - Trace the two wires from the oil tank to the engine, disconnect those two wires, then remove them and the oil tank.<br /><br />3 - Mix the 50/1 oil in the proper amount with whatever quanity fuel you have. Disconnect the fuel line at the engine. Pump the fuel primer bulb until fuel exits that hose with the tint of whatever oil you used. Reconnect the fuel hose.<br /><br />That's it. If you want to test the heat warning system to ease your mind, have the key in the on position, then ground out the tan heat sensor wire that you'll find protruding from the cylinder head. The warning horn should sound off.<br /><br />--------------------<br />ReevesJ32@aol.com<br /><br />30+ Years With OMC

 

[bweir]

Re: Another Oil Alarm question

Easy enough. Thanks

 

[bweir]

Re: Another Oil Alarm question

I found that between a small vacuum leak in the oil line and the clogged vent I fixed the oil alarm. I also discovered that at 4000 RPMs I get a steady alarm. My son also noticed that my primer bulb on the fuel line gets sucked flat. Is there a screen on the fuel pick up that could get clogged?

 

[ob]

Re: Another Oil Alarm question

There should be a screen strainer on the pickup tube in the fuel tank.If it is restricted it will cause the flat bulb symptom you describe.A sticking anti syphon valve on the fuel tank fitting or a faulty bulb will do the same.

 

[bweir]

Re: Another Oil Alarm question

I picked up a replacement anti syphon valve today and will install tonight. The one I took out had no parts in it, don't know where they went. There was also no screen on the pick up, just an open ended tube. The next thing I will look at is the hose, bulb and fuel/water seperator. One thing I did try was running with the gas cap off to check the tank vent. No change due to this.

 

[bweir]

Re: Another Oil Alarm question

Alarms have all ceased since changing out the hose, bulb and syphon valve. I do however have an issue that if i run at low RPMs for a while and then give it gas it bogs at around 2500 RPMs. If I shut down and restart it runs strong again. Could this be because of to much oil with 50:1 and VRO pump combined?