First long cruise of the season.. engine alarm!

[dpvandy01]

Out for a good cruise today 30 miles to lunch spot, 30 miles back to boat club... boat ran great. Just as I shifted into reverse while backing stern-in to my slip, engine alarm sounds. It continued to sound once out of gear in neutral until I shut of the engine. Temp 170, oil pressure 60'ish, idling fine, no stall, backed into slip tied up and shut it off. I re-set my lines and got the fenders in place and re-fired the engine, no alarm. I then shifted to reverse and the alarm sounded again and continued once back in neutral. I had to leave before I could investigate but all fluids pre-trip looked good but the outdrive oil may have been a bit low. I'll not be able to get back down to the boat until Tuesday until then, any thoughts where to start looking when I get there? Would low drive oil cause and alarm? Any other thoughts would be very helpful.

7.4L MPI, BIII

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yes, there is a little float/sensor in the bottom of the gear lube bottle. It would have to be pretty low, though. It's quite normal for the gear oil to go low after it's been changed - air bubbles need to work their way out of the system.

Your alarm will go off for one of three things:
1) High engine temp
2) Low oil pressure
3) Low gear oil

Next time, watch the gear oil as someone shifts into reverse - see if it goes down slightly.

 

[flflatrate]

you can also unplug one of the black wires that go to the bottom of the gear oil bottle to see if the alarm shuts off, it will take about 20 seconds. Or unplug wire shut motor off restart and try shifting to see if it occurs again If it was before and now whith one unplugged no alarm you know it is the alarm from that bottle. First try topping it off obviously!