88 40HP johnson constant alarm??

hugoboss

Cadet
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
10
i have an 88 40hp johnson VRO that i believe has a bad VRO unit. i just replaced the water pump at the begining of the season thinking that the constant alarm that i was listening to was an overheat issue. it seemed to take care of the problem but im now getting the same alarm again. outside of a bad oil pump what could the alarm be? the VRO is still connected but the tank has not emptied much at all since i filled it at the begining fo the season (i have been premixing to be on the safe side). can anyone point me in the direction of detailed instructions on how to disable the pump correctly so i can be sure that the alarm is not a result of an oil issue. any help is much appreciated
 

OBJ

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
10,161
Re: 88 40HP johnson constant alarm??

You havn't said which alarm it is hugo....you have three alarms associated with your rig.<br /><br />A constant tone that indicates overheat.<br /><br />A 1/2 sec tone every 20 sec's or so which indicates low oil level in the oil tank.<br /><br />And an urgent 1/2 sec tone every 1/2 sec which indicates restricted or no oil flow.<br /><br />Can you tell us which alarm you are getting?
 

Goodoleboy

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 20, 2003
Messages
555
Re: 88 40HP johnson constant alarm??

If its constant..stop imediently!...Over heat.<br /><br />You say that your oil level hasant changed all season.<br /><br />If you do alot of slow speed trolling and setch. then it wont change much...Its running a 100 to one ratio then.<br /><br />But if go full bore out to your favorite fishin hole its suposed to use 50 to one then.<br /><br />Idd check at rascal out..PDQ.
 

hugoboss

Cadet
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
10
Re: 88 40HP johnson constant alarm??

the buzzer im getting is the constant alarm. the water pump is new so am i correct to assume that i have a bad thermostat? also, id like to disconnect the oil pump regardless if it is working or not just to rest assured that my engine is getting oil by premixing. any idea where i can find detailed directions on how to do this. any help is greatly appreciated
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: 88 40HP johnson constant alarm??

When the horn is sounding constantly but it appears that all is well with the engine, remove the TAN wire from the horn. If the horn continues to sound with that wire removed, the horn is faulty. The following may be of interest to you.<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.
 

hugoboss

Cadet
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
10
Re: 88 40HP johnson constant alarm??

thanks for the info. do you think that the alarm was a result of a bad VRO or is it strictly overheat. like i said, i just had the water pump replaced at the begining of the season. also, is there any particular way u recommend pluging the oil line?
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: 88 40HP johnson constant alarm??

Having replaced the water pump at the beginning of the season does not rule out stuck thermostats or other crud in the water passages. Try thermo sticks to verify the overheat.
 

Goodoleboy

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 20, 2003
Messages
555
Re: 88 40HP johnson constant alarm??

You can buy thermo (melt) sticks at auto supply stores, And some marine dealers as well.<br /><br />Heads of motor should not excede 175 degres nor run cooler than 125 degres.<br /><br />Buy sticks accodingly. Just make a mark on your heads with each stick. <br /><br />The 125 should melt and turn shiney, like new paint. The 175 should remain chalky, same as it looked when you made your mark.<br /><br />Good luck!
 
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