1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

[verojoe27]

I went out fishing and on the way out everything went fine. On the way back, the alarm went off. The main oil tank was 1/2 full and the reserve was completly full. I replaced the low oil sensor 1 month ago. The alarm beeped every few seconds and did not stop until we got back to the dock. The engine was not overheating. Does this alarm sound off when the oil level is low or does it sound when the oil pump stops pumping oil? The alarm stopped when I restarted the engine at home to flush the saltwater out of it. It has not sounded since. A puff of blue smoke exists the exhaust when I first start the engine, so I know the engine is getting oil. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Joe.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

The main oil tank is the one in the boat, the (Reserve) as you put it, (Which isnt a reserve at all), is under the cowling, This tank must be absolutly purged of ALL air or you will get an oil alarm. Losen the cap and run the engine untill it starts to come out around the cap, then tighten it.<br /><br /> "The alarm beeped every few seconds and did not stop until we got back to the dock." So why did you run the engine at all with the alarm going off? That alarm is telling you to shut off the engine "NOW"?

 

[KCLOST]

Re: 1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

Pull out the oil pump and inspect the pump drive gear (attached to the pump). Look for shavings of plastic on that gear... If you find any you have a pump failure... And if you continue to run the engine, you will have a cylinder failure coming your way soon..

 

[CU2NITE]

Re: 1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

Thats right KCLOST! And don't forget "Running the motor while listening to the horn will make you morn!" IF you do have plastic on the shaft you will need to pre-mix. Good luck and let us know.<br />CU

 

[verojoe27]

Re: 1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

How do I check the oil pump drive gear? The oil pump is injecting oil because I can see the blue smoke from the exhaust. I have not checked the oil pump drive gears and would like to do so. Any comments about this procedure would be appreciated. Thanks, Joe.

 

[tarponator]

Re: 1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

Start premixing oil and don't look back. It's "highly" likely it's the plastic worm gear and the only way to fix it is a major overhaul. <br /><br />Don't make the same mistake I did.....

 

[KCLOST]

Re: 1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

Just because you have some smoke doesn't mean that the pump is pumping "properly"<br /><br />The oil pump is on the port side of the block about mid way up and a little forward... It's connected to the block with a couple of bolts..<br />You'll see some hoses connected to it and the alarm connection (wire)..

 

[KCLOST]

Re: 1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

It's about the size of an egg, but it isn't shaped like one..

 

[verojoe27]

Re: 1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

I removed the oil pump and inspected it. There where no plastic or medal shaving anywhere to be found. All parts fit together tightly and the plastic had no pits or abrasions on it. There was no rust on the metal driven gear either. I don't know if the oil injection system is working at an optimum capacity, but this engine is burning oil. I think that the alarm may have malfunctioned. I have a small tank to use premix gas in case the alarm goes off again. Thanks for the help. Joe

 

[tarponator]

Re: 1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

Heed this warning....Mercury installs a plastic worm gear on the "crank shaft" which is notorious for failing. Since you saw no plastic shaving in the oil pump, probably the gear on the crank is failing. Perhaps not all the teeth (Actualy grooves) are damaged allowing it to turn a little. If you ignore this and beleive your alarm is bad...then you need to know about BAM Marine. They sell all Mercury rebuild parts at a competitve rate. Have fun rebuilding your motor. Or, you can premix from now on and never worry about the issue again. Peace.....

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 1992 Merc 150 V-6, oil alarm

Originally posted by tarponator:<br /> Heed this warning....

I normally donent diss people for offereing advice as you have, but I believe you to be a little abrupt on telling him that his oiling system is failing. He has stated that there is no rust on the drive shaft, (Which it the reason for most plastic gear failures), and that everything looks fine. My sugestion is to mark the onboard tank and make sure the engine is using oil while mixing 50:1 while testing. Wont hurt anything except smoking a bit more while testing. Keep the oil injection, its not a bad system.