94 Mariner 200 Oil Alarm

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RippleBoat

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Jan 1, 2005
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Newbie here - What a Great Forum! I have been researching this problem here for a couple of hours, but I am not confident that I have a good answer, so here it is:<br /><br />On my last 5 trips, the oil alarm (intermittent beep beep beep - I did learn that this MUST be explained first!) goes off after about 1 hour of use. Both tanks full to the top (with Quicksilver Premium Plus), and smoke is coming from the exhaust. Must be getting oil, because I have put 10 or so hours on it since the first time this problem started. Mechanic has: 1) checked pump for signs of failure (none noted); 2) replaced a portion of the hose that pressurizes big tank (says it was cracked); and 3) replaced coils on top 2 cylinders (thinking that a misfire would set off the alarm).<br /><br />Same problem again today - 8 mile run @ about 5000 to WOT, then about an hour of trolling @ 1000 and the alarm starts up. Finally figured out that I can get it to quit by turning the key backwards a little, but that kills all the gauges too, although the motor keeps running. I figure it simply disables the alarm. Makes me wonder if the problem is in the ignition?<br /><br />One big question I have is why does the alarm not beep all of the time? Why only after the motor has about an hour or so of use on it? It will quit after the motor sits for a while, but start back up after 15 minutes or so of engine running. If it were another crack in the hose or a pressure leak somewhere, why don't I get the alarm immediately?<br /><br />I will check all the wires everywhere, but I cannot understand why it would not start sooner if this is the problem. I am thinking it might be the alarm module, but I have seen in other posts that this is rarely the problem.<br /><br />I am leaning toward premix just to end my suffering, but want to mess with this a little longer...<br /><br />Thanks in advance!
 
dingbat

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,986
Re: 94 Mariner 200 Oil Alarm

I would not overlook the alarm module. I had a simlar problem until I changed out the alarm module and all has been well since.
 
WillyBWright

WillyBWright

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Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: 94 Mariner 200 Oil Alarm

Welcome to iboats and make sure the oil tank on the motor is absolutely full.<br /><br />This seems to be one of the more common causes for intermittent problems. With the motor idling, crack the cap open umtil some oil comes out and close it again. That burps all the air out of that tank. It needs to be full right into the neck.
 
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KCLOST

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Jun 22, 2002
Messages
2,095
Re: 94 Mariner 200 Oil Alarm

Move the greeen wire from the alarm module that goes to the switchbox and move it to another coil terminal on the same box. You could have a switchbox going bad, causing a week signal to the alarm module... This has happened before with several fellow posters... Sometimes the switchboxes may start acting funny after heating up some from the raise in temperature of the block. <br />The signal from the switchbox is sent to the alarm module and compared to the signal from the oil pump. If one or the other begins to vary some the intermittent alarm will sound. <br /><br />Let us know if you have the same setup...
 
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RippleBoat

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Re: 94 Mariner 200 Oil Alarm

Thanks folks. The small tank on the motor is completely full - Also, I figured if that were the problem, that alarm would sound all of the time, not only after an hour or so of use.<br /><br />Talked with the mechanic today and he said that we will try switching out the alarm module first, then the switchbox with some extras that he has lying around the shop. He said that you can not move the wires in this switchbox because they are part of a complete harness or something to that effect. That was what he was trying to do by switching out the coils - he figured one of those might be causing a misfire which would, as you pointed out, throw everything off and cause the alarm to sound. It will be at least 2 weeks before I put it back in the water, but I'll post the results. I am leaning toward a buggy switchbox as the problem, but we'll see. I am fortunate that he saves all of the parts off of blown motors - this should save some $$ as we run through the process of elimination.
 
K

KCLOST

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Jun 22, 2002
Messages
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Re: 94 Mariner 200 Oil Alarm

Well, I don't agree with his statement about "switching out the coils"... They will not in any way affect the alarm module...<br /><br />And, You can move the wires easily no matter what wire are going to either box...(don't do it without thought however)<br /><br />The only wire I'm talking about is a solid green wire that goes from the alarm module to one of the switchboxes... Follow it and find it's destination... You don't need to rip it completely out, only disconnect it from the box terminal and move it to another... "if in fact that is what you have"...<br /><br />He may find the problem, but don't let him charge you for anything but the culprit... Many just replace without testing (the easy way) first...
 
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highaltitude

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 16, 2004
Messages
82
Re: 94 Mariner 200 Oil Alarm

KCLOST-you shouldnt be giving such good info for free. i agree with you. the troubleshooting for this problem is not as complex as it seems. obviously the system is working after 5 trips to the lake.
 
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wilde1j

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 15, 2002
Messages
5,964
Re: 94 Mariner 200 Oil Alarm

RippleBoat, until you verify the cause of the alarm, I would run premix to cover the possibility you do have an oiling problem.<br /><br />KCLOST is right about the ignition coils ... they don't have anything at all to do with the oiling system or the alarm module.<br /><br />You would do yourself a favor to get an OEM shop manual, since it has detailed guidance about troubleshooting the oiling system including the alarm module.
 
R

RippleBoat

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Joined
Jan 1, 2005
Messages
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Re: 94 Mariner 200 Oil Alarm

Well, I FINALLY got a chance to get back on the water to test it out - the only thing I have done since the last post is that I moved the solid green wire to another green post on the switchbox. The result was that the alarm did not sound as often or as persistently. I ran it a couple of hours and after 1.5 hours or so the alarm would peep every now and then and sometimes it would sound for 30 seconds or so, but then quit for a while.<br /><br />Are these the signs of a switchbox going bad?<br /><br />What do you think we should try next?<br /><br />Thanks for all the great input!
 
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RippleBoat

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Re: 94 Mariner 200 Oil Alarm

The rest of the story...<br /><br />Got a new switchbox and wired it up. Fired it off on the hose and the alarm sounded for 30 seconds or so after start. Did this consistently every time I started it. I could tell it wasn't right, so back to the mechanic I went for a replacement oil alarm module. wired it up and fired it off on the hose - NO ALARM! :D :D :D <br /><br />Took it to the water today and ran it hard for a couple of hours with no alarm whatsoever! I guess it was the oil alarm module. I'll confirm this when I swap the switchboxes out, but I am certain I have it licked (knocking on wood...).<br /><br />Thanks for the input!<br /> :) :)
 
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