Vessel View Smartcraft and Engine Sensor alert.

R

rme78

New Member
Jan 28, 2011
6
Lake Minnetonka
Boat Info
310 Sundancer 2008
Engines
Mercruiser w/ Axius
IMG_1734.jpgHello, I have a2008 SeaRay 310 Sundancer. I am attaching a picture of an alert I get sporadicallywhen underway. My marina attached a laptop to the boat’s computer systembut they said there weren’t any active alarms.(they did my winterization andsummerization) I haven’t had a chance towork with them further on this yet. Inthe interim, I thought I would check here to see if anyone had thoughts onit. The bottom gauge on the starboardengine is always about half of the port engine. Not sure if this is what is causing this. If it is, what does that gaugerepresent? I checked the manual and wasn’tsure if it is oil pressure, water pressure intake?

Any thoughts onwhat my issue might be and/or how to fix would be greatly appreciated! Trying to determine if it is something I willmost likely get charged for or if it was an error of some sort when they got itready. Thanks in advance! Rich
 
rme78 said:
...If it is, what does that gaugerepresent? I checked the manual and wasn’tsure if it is oil pressure, water pressure intake?
Click to expand...

The lower PSI set of readings is raw (cooling) water pressure. The other measurement in PSI is oil pressure.

Capture.jpg


That said, I'm not certain 41.4 PSI of water pressure is "in range" and that may be why the computer is flagging the reading. What are your readings at idle?

You can swap the water pressure sensor from port to starboard to determine if you have a sensor issue (or an impeller/flow issue)...
 
Last edited:
stephenm27 said:
The lower PSI set of readings is raw (cooling) water pressure. The other measurement in PSI is oil pressure.

Capture.jpg


That said, I'm not certain 41.4 PSI of water pressure is "in range" and that may be why the computer is flagging the reading. What are your readings at idle?

You can swap the water pressure sensor from port to starboard to determine if you have a sensor issue (or an impeller/flow issue)...
Click to expand...
Thank you. So you are thinking the starboard is high versus the port being low correct? Is it difficult to swap the sensors? I'm not the most mechanically inclined but can follow directions if it is posted somewhere. I can do a quick google search as well.
 
Is there a differential between the engine temperatures? It would also be helpful to know what engine and drive you have as the various powerplants have different cooling plumbing. In any event if the temperatures between the two engines are pretty close, then my first thought is that this is a sensor issue. I would also try and find out what the proper water pressure range is before replacing anything. I would also suggest you not swap anything. Just about all of the Smartcraft sensors run through the engine ECM (engine computer). One of our members swapped out a throttle body sensor last summer and smoked the other ECM.

Henry
 
rme78 said:
Thank you. So you are thinking the starboard is high versus the port being low correct? Is it difficult to swap the sensors? I'm not the most mechanically inclined but can follow directions if it is posted somewhere. I can do a quick google search as well.
Click to expand...

My experience leans toward both of the raw water pressures being high. From memory, with new impellers, I recall seeing a max of 14-20 PSI at cruise. Unfortunately, these sensors have a poor reliability track record (search the forums for a number of different threads).

They are typically located on the power steering cooler on the top/rear of the engine. Replacement cost is approx $110 for the sensor (1 per engine). Requires a 1" deep well socket to remove/replace.
 
Henry Boyd said:
Is there a differential between the engine temperatures?
Click to expand...
Based on the display, his engine temps seem very close to each other (~165).

Just about all of the Smartcraft sensors run through the engine ECM (engine computer). One of our members swapped out a throttle body sensor last summer and smoked the other ECM.
Click to expand...
Ouch! Surely, there's more back-story to this? Was he able to determine what went wrong and why?
 
stephenm27 said:
Based on the display, his engine temps seem very close to each other (~165).

Ouch! Surely, there's more back-story to this? Was he able to determine what went wrong and why?
Click to expand...

It was the IAC valve on the 8.1 engine. One went south and fried the ECM it was installed on. In attempting to diagnose the the problem the IACs were swapped, and in the process damaged the other ECM.

Back to the OP's issues. Close engine temps suggest the actual plumbing is functioning properly. Granted that should be checked with an IR gun, but the issue would seem to lie with the electronics.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Henry Boyd said:
It was the IAC valve on the 8.1 engine. One went south and fried the ECM it was installed on. In attempting to diagnose the the problem the IACs were swapped, and in the process damaged the other ECM.

Back to the OP's issues. Close engine temps suggest the actual plumbing is functioning properly. Granted that should be checked with an IR gun, but the issue would seem to lie with the electronics.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
All, thanks so much for the great information. We were able to figure out what is wrong. It turns out that the PSI for both sides was above the range. (as someone had indicated). The cause was due to a newer invasive species on the lake, Zebra Mussels. Flushed them out and everything appears to be within wrong now.
 
rme78 said:
All, thanks so much for the great information. We were able to figure out what is wrong. It turns out that the PSI for both sides was above the range. (as someone had indicated). The cause was due to a newer invasive species on the lake, Zebra Mussels. Flushed them out and everything appears to be within wrong now.
Click to expand...


For what it's worth I had a similar problem this year with my 8.1s. After changing the raw water pump, my stbd motor was still running hot. The water pressure readings were close to 40 psi under load and 15-20 at idle. Upon flushing both motors, the temp normalized and the no load water pressure is about 3 psi at idle and 10-15 under load.
 
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