Constant Beep Continues After Starting - 2002 Bowrider 182

[Land Lubber MG]

First time boat owner, and we got it a week ago. The person we purchased the boat from did not service it recently, so after taking it out for it's maiden voyage (for us) last weekend, I decided to change the oil, oil filter, and gear lube. I have no idea if any of that has had an effect on the situation we're dealing with, but now when turning the key to the On position the constant beep goes off, as usual. Now though, it stays on after the engine has been started up. In addition to the maintenance items performed above, I also tightened up the ignition switch as it was loose when turning the key. I didn't touch anything in the back of the dash, other than to just hold the back while tightening the front. Again, not sure if that pertains or not.

I keep seeing items about oil pressure, and at idle it's sitting at 40-45, where the manual is saying a minimum of 4psi. I have the Mercruiser 4.3 LH.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

 

[alldodge]

Does the outdrive lube bottle on the motor have lube in it?

 

[Chris1956]

I am not sure what service manual you have, but 4PSI oil pressure is way too low.

A lot of those MerCruisers have an oil pressure alarm. If the oil pressure is low, they sound. Look for a half dollar-sized fitting on the rear port side of the block (behind oil filter?) with a wire on it. If the wire is knocked off, the alarm will sound. The oil pressure gauge sender is different and is usually sorta cone shaped, with a single wire.

 

[alldodge]

The 4 psi is in the manual and is based on the oil pressure switch design

 

[KD4UPL]

How did you change the gear oil? Did you refill it with a pump from the bottom drain plug? Do you have some in the bottle mounted up on the engine?
Are you running it in the water or on the trailer? If on the trailer, have you had muffs hooked up with water running every time the engine has been running?

 

[QBhoy]

Really good chance it is the gear oil alarm. If you left the gear oil to drain long enough it will empty the bottle.
you then need to top that off after the conventional method at the drive. Even then, once the engine has ran up...you usually need to top it off again at least once.
If you have done all that, just check the float isn’t stuck in the tank.

 

[Land Lubber MG]

Does the outdrive lube bottle on the motor have lube in it?

This was the issue, simple and easy. I changed out the gear lube in the stern drive, but didn't refill the drive lube bottle in the engine compartment.

Thanks so much!

 

[H20Rat]

This was the issue, simple and easy. I changed out the gear lube in the stern drive, but didn't refill the drive lube bottle in the engine compartment.

Thanks so much!

Keep an eye on it, you will probably have to refill again. It is connected to the drive unit, but it takes a LONG time for oil to make it down there, competing with the air bubble trying to force its way back up.