Engine Alarm

[Cymru]

Hi All,

Last weekend I left the boat running beautifully. Yesterday after pressure washing we started the boat and the alarm immediately sounded and would not go off. Oil pressure, temp (cold start) all seemed fine but obviously, I would not run it. I'm thinking and hoping that the problem may be that more water than normal has gone into the engine compartment and somehow caused the alarm to go off. thing is, I can’t for the life of me figure out what. I assume the alarm sounds when there is a problem with oil pressure, water pressure and temperature. What else will cause the alarm to sound?

As always, thanks in advance.

[racer2c]

Originally Posted by Cymru

Hi All,

Last weekend I left the boat running beautifully. Yesterday after pressure washing we started the boat and the alarm immediately sounded and would not go off. Oil pressure, temp (cold start) all seemed fine but obviously, I would not run it. I'm thinking and hoping that the problem may be that more water than normal has gone into the engine compartment and somehow caused the alarm to go off. thing is, I can’t for the life of me figure out what. I assume the alarm sounds when there is a problem with oil pressure, water pressure and temperature. What else will cause the alarm to sound?

As always, thanks in advance.

Did you check your gear lube reservoir level?

[Cymru]

I haven’t checked that at all. To be honest, I don’t know where it is or what type of oil it takes. I just looked in the manual and there is no image of the engine or its parts location. I have the single 7.4MPI with BIII.

[racer2c]

Originally Posted by Cymru

I haven’t checked that at all. To be honest, I don’t know where it is or what type of oil it takes. I just looked in the manual and there is no image of the engine or its parts location. I have the single 7.4MPI with BIII.

It's going to be a small semi-transparent plastic reservoir mounted on the front or side of the engine (I'm only assuming that the Bravo III system uses one like this as my experience is with the A1). It will have blue gear oil in it and the alarm is triggered when the gear oil falls below the minimum fill line. It is one of the more common reasons for the alarm to sound and the first place I look.

[racer2c]

I would guess that the gear lube reservoir is the one on the port side in this picture (to the right of the 7.4 MPI decal). Your owners manual for the boat probably won't have engine pictures. Were you not given a Mercruiser owners manual? that's the one you want.

[Cymru]

There were no manuals when I bought the boat. It was a bank repo so thats not a surprise. I'll have to do a search for the mercruiser manual and see if I can find one. Thanks.

[Ticamo]

My mechanic, who is excellent, says 9 times out of 10 it is the IAC motor when you get the intermittent alarm.

[seapuppy]

Originally Posted by Ticamo

My mechanic, who is excellent, says 9 times out of 10 it is the IAC motor when you get the intermittent alarm.

ok...now I'm corn-fused...what is the iac motor??...never heard of one...


SP irate:

[Cymru]

I guess its the Idol Air control motor but I'm not sure either.

[Ticamo]

Right, Idle Air Control motor.

[racer2c]

Originally Posted by Cymru

I guess its the Idol Air control motor but I'm not sure either.

So it wasn't the gear lube reservoir? I see you are from Atlanta. I spent last week there on a biz trip. Stayed in Vinings. Nice area.

[caleb]

I replaced my IAC valve last month. I got the alarm (2 beeps), engine wouldn't start unless high rpms. Low oil pressure. The valve is $100 bucks. Once replaced the boat runs like new. I have 5.0MPI mercruiser.
IAC Valve - 803149 Mfr. Quicksilver by Mercury $97.12

[Cymru]

Originally Posted by racer2c

So it wasn't the gear lube reservoir? I see you are from Atlanta. I spent last week there on a biz trip. Stayed in Vinings. Nice area.

I haven’t gotten out to the boat yet. Will probably go on Saturday and run through everything one more time before calling the mechanic.

I actually live right around Vinings. My office overlooks the village too. Where did you stay?

[racer2c]

Originally Posted by Cymru

I haven’t gotten out to the boat yet. Will probably go on Saturday and run through everything one more time before calling the mechanic.

I actually live right around Vinings. My office overlooks the village too. Where did you stay?

The Courtyard Marriott on Paces Ferry Rd. Had a few Guinness at Meehans across the street. In the mornings I sat in line at the Starbucks with numerous BMW's, Audi's and Jags. My rental car didn't fit in!!!

[Cymru]

Brilliant mate. My office is in that silver glass building just off to the right of the hotel. I can see Meehans from my window. If you're in town again, let me know and I'll buy you a pint.

[racer2c]

Originally Posted by Cymru

Brilliant mate. My office is in that silver glass building just off to the right of the hotel. I can see Meehans from my window. If you're in town again, let me know and I'll buy you a pint.

Thanks! You're on!

[Cymru]

I just wanted to close the thread and let you guys know what the problem was. It appears that the culprit was the gear lube oil. I had not checked it since a complete service was done in late august. One thing I did learn was that if the oil is not filled properly, the reservoir appears to be full but there is air trapped that makes it appear fuller than it is. I'm guessing this is the case for me since I see no evidence of a leak anywhere. That said, I'll know to keep a better eye on it.

Thanks again to everyone that tried to help. It’s really appreciated.