Constant Alarm - Evinrude

[Heath654]

I have a '89 Evinrude 200 hp V6. While running the boat my alarm came on with a constant beep and I immediate noticed a considerable power loss. After about 5 minutes I could start the boat without any alarm and it would perform fine. This happened twice as I was returning to the boat launch. I had normal water pressure and a good stream coming from the engine. What could cause the alarm to sound with a significant loss of power and then after a short rest be fine?<br />(Also, although it may be unrelated, I also noticed that the engine was running/producing between 11.5 and 12.5 volts instead of the usual 13+.)

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Constant Alarm - Evinrude

On the V/6 Evinrude/Johnson engines, the constant and steady horn alarm indicates that the engine is either overheating, or a fuel restriction exists.

 

[Heath654]

Re: Constant Alarm - Evinrude

Thanks Joe. Must be a fuel restriction to explain the coinciding loss of power. I was thinking it was electrical

 

[Daniel Beckman]

Re: Constant Alarm - Evinrude

Did have the same prob on my johnson 175 v6.<br />It started on WOT. Did clean the fuel filter on the engine.<br />No more alarm. Real simple to clean.

 

[Daniel Beckman]

Re: Constant Alarm - Evinrude

Sorry forgot, i did not have any power loss<br />So maybe it could be some security system that goes in.<br />One time when i had an overheat on my john 175, then i did loose power.<br />Had to wait for about 5-10 min and then it worked perfect again.<br />The thing that time was that i had reversed a long distance and i got a nosecone on my engine that pic up the water.<br />No good to reverse to lonog with nosecon i guess

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Constant Alarm - Evinrude

Ah Joe - I'm glad you posted this! I've had the constant alarm a couple of times - when I forgot to open the main fuel valve (I have dual tanks and there's a Left - Right - Off valve). The alarm does not go off in a "normal" running out of fuel situation: when one tank's empty, the engine just starts sputtering and then quits if I don't switch to the other tank on time, but there's no alarm. It does go off when the valve is actually closed. <br /><br />It does sound the same as the constant overheating alarm (which I heard once when running on the hose, but never in the water). Therefore I had this vague idea that the fuel starvation situation caused an over heat. <br /><br />But now I understand you to say there's some sort of fuel restriction sensor? Which somehow doesn't get tripped when it's just running out of gas from the tank as opposed to an actual restriction in the line?<br /><br />Does this make sense?<br /><br />Dan

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Constant Alarm - Evinrude

Dan.... At the engine, follow the fuel line from where it enters the lower pan area to the VRO pump. At about the halfway point you'll notice a "Tee" whereas one smaller hose branches off upwards (usually upwards). That hose will lead you to the vacuum switch that energizes that alarm should a restriction exist.

 

[Heath654]

Re: Constant Alarm - Evinrude

Again, I remind everyone that when this alarm went off there was an immediate coinciding loss of power ?!?!?!? Almost acting as if I had lossed half the cylinders....at the exact same instant that the alarm went off.<br /><br />This same engine did overheat about 3 yrs ago and I had to replace EVERY electrical component....but had no alarm when this occurred. (which probably was fixed with the repairs)<br /><br />Now my question is<br />1) is there a some sort of safety element built in to the alarm that when it triggers an overheat alarm does it automatically cause some sort of firing failure to some cylinders?<br /><br />2) How else does the immediate loss of power with the sound of the alarm explained???

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Constant Alarm - Evinrude

Heath... That engine does have what is called a S.L.O.W. setup. Plainly put, if the engine starts to overheat, that S.L.O.W. feature kicks in which knocks out the ignition on one bank.<br /><br />Shutting the key off will reset that system.