Oil Alarm

Hunter 34

Cadet
Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
12
I have a 1996 Merc. 225 HP outboard. When I first start the engine the oil alarm will go off (beep, beep ...) after about two minutes of running. It will beep for about 1 minute then will quit and will not beep for the rest of the day. The alarm will sometimes beep when I turn the key on without starting the engine, and will stop beeping after the engine runs for a little while. I know the engine is getting oil because I check the level in the tank on the boat, and the tank on the engine stays full to the top. Can anyone suggest what might be causing the alarm to go off like this.

Thanks Very Much
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
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Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: Oil Alarm

On the tank on the motor, full to the top means to the top of the neck, right? To the point of overflowing. As soon as the oil level drops out of the neck, the alram starts triggering occasionally.
 

Hunter 34

Cadet
Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
12
Re: Oil Alarm

Yes the level is full to the cap. I loosened the cap with the engine running until oil flowed out. I was wondering if it could be electrical because the alarm beeps sometimes with the key on and the engine not running,and the alarm always goes off after the engine runs for a little while.
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: Oil Alarm

Is it a rhythmic beep beep beep, or are the beeps kinda random? There should be a Beeeeeep beep beep when you turn on the key. That's a system self-test. Any beeps beyond that would be abnormal.

Certain components can fail and send a signal, but the tones are usually a steady beeeeeeeeep. If the beeps are staticky, of obviously different tones, or you hear staticky echoes from the alarm, it could be a bad warning module or a bad alarm.

The other option is that the drive gear is failing. The oil pump might be skipping beats. It has a motion sensor and if the pump drive stalls, the alarm sounds. Failing drive gears often leave shreds of plastic in the cavity behind the oil pump. The drive gear can be seen with the pump and worm gear removed. You can look thru the hole and see the gear on the crankshaft. You have to turn the crank to see all of it as it turns.
 

Hunter 34

Cadet
Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
12
Re: Oil Alarm

It is a steady beep beep beep and it only does this for about 1 minute, shortly after the motor is started for the first time of the day, for the rest of the trip the alarm will not sound. If it was the drive gear going out wouldn't the alarm keep sounding when the motor is running. If anyone can offer any advice it would be very helpful.

Thanks Very Much
 
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