1989 Sea Ray 180 BR alarm issue

Codered71

Codered71

New Member
Jul 23, 2019
16
Rock Hill, SC
Boat Info
1989 180BR Outboard
Engines
135 HP
I've been working on boat for several months and finally got it in the water last night. After it cranks the alarm starts beeping like it's low on oil for gas, but it's got 2 gallons in it. We took it out anyway because it's running fine, but alarm driving me crazy, any clues?
 
Codered71 said:
I've been working on boat for several months and finally got it in the water last night. After it cranks the alarm starts beeping like it's low on oil for gas, but it's got 2 gallons in it. We took it out anyway because it's running fine, but alarm driving me crazy, any clues?
Click to expand...
2 gallons of gas or 2 gallons of oil?

I would NOT be taking the boat out if "everything is running good" yet you're getting an alarm. It could be telling you that the oil pump system is not working. The engine will still run, but you are not lubricating it so you would be doing major damage to the powerhead. It could be a flaky sensor - but it could also be doing it's job and telling you to stop using the boat.

I'm not as up to speed on the older oil injection systems (at least not off the top of my head), but I would start by inspecting that. Google should help. You need to find out if the oil is being injected. A Merc mechanic should be able to tell you what sensor is complaining.
 
Oil, gas is full, we didn't run long. We are rookies so another question, when we got back and took drain plug out a lot of water came out, is that normal?
 
Water... depends. Where you in and out of the water yourselves? Because as you drip off, that would bring water into the boat. But, unless you somehow brought water into the boat, no, water should not enter the boat. Unless you didn't tighten the garboard drain plug enough... but it doesn't take much force for that.

Oil... when you say 2-gallons, that must be the boat mounted oil tank. Does your engine also have an engine-mounted tank (some have both)? If you do, is that tank full?

You can pull the sensors out and check them - maybe the float is just sticking. It won't take long to damage the engine if it's not getting oil. I would get this fixed/figured out before you do any more boating and hope damage wasn't already done.
 
Thanks for replying, Yes, both tanks have oil, where is the sensor located? About water, battery box and under cushion where dry but a lot of water came out, maybe driving it broke a clog loose of rain water, idk. Drain plug was not torqued but tight.
 
Update, filled bilge area with some water with drain plug in, no leaks and pump works. Bought a new drain plug and reserve tank on engine was low. Hooked it to hose and started, no alarm, will put back in water this week and see. Float is part of the cap so it has to be full, do I need to bleed?
 
The main tank is the engine mounted tank.

The general idea of how the main tank and the remote tank work together is that as the level goes down in the main tank, the sensor calls for oil from the remote tank to be pumped into the main tank to fill it back up. Some of these systems have a switch on/around the main tank and you can manually demand the pump to turn on and fill the main tank. Not sure if yours does.

But the question remains... why is the main tank low? What part of the system is operating correctly? The sensor... the pump... or maybe a clog?
 
When I bought the boat we had it running while I was checking it out for the second time and the alarm started going off, we shut off and the 3 gallon tank under rear cushion was almost empty. When I got it ready after repairs to interior I filled up big tank, I didn't know about the small one. Not saying you're wrong but wouldn't it pull from big tank until empty, then as soon as it starts pulling from small tank and the float moves down from the cap the alarm sounds so you have that as reserve to get back?
 
No, you have your thinking backwards. Take a look at the oil line plumbing - especially at the engine - and you'll see what I'm talking about. In essence, the boat mounted tank is your "reserve". Truthfully, you really don't even need it - but then you'd be filling the engine-mounted (main) tank quite often!

Actually... if you really, really wanted to... you could delete the oil-injection system and pre-mix your gas.
 
I see, sounds like I need to bleed it because there's no switch or pump it's pressurized. Thanks for the reply bro.
 
Will do and will let you know, we are putting back in water friday after work and it's parked at my job so can work on before then. Thanks Dennis.
 
I did not see your attachment, yes that's it...I hope. I may need to unscrew reservoir cap 1/2 turn to let air in to start the pull.
 
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