MERC MESSES UP AGAIN! Mercruiser 496 HO Oil Sensor Smart Craft Vessel View Problem
Greetings,
We continue to have a problem with our Port Motor Oil Sensor on our 08 Formula 37 PC equipped with Mercruiser 496 HO's IO's. Boat has Axius (which has worked great), and Smartcraft Vessel View.
We had this problem before, acquired a new Oil Pressure Sensor from Formula Dealer, replaced it, and the problem went away.
The Mercruiser Vessel View system indicates the problem and retards the power, or shuts the motor down when it occurs. Motor is running great, and oil level is good.
After we replaced the Oil Pressure Sensor a few weeks ago we made the following trips, shutting down between each one, without any Oil Pressure Sensor problems.
All the following were without issues, after the new sensor installs.
After the above the problems returned.
From a cold start, we left the beach and cruised down river about 7 miles without issues. We slowed for a No-Wake area for about 2-miles, started to come back up on plane and the Oil Pressure Sensor issued returned, with the newly installed sensor.
After resetting the the Smart Craft, we were able to sneak it back up on plane by waiting for the oil pressure sensor to show 20#+ and you could work it up and run.
Not sure where to go from here, and looking for assistance.
Thanks!
PART 2
And the Saga Continues, and hopefully is now OVER.
After installing 3rd Oil Sensor, I went off on a trip to the Great Lakes near Mackinaw Straits.
The 3rd new Sensor, again failed intermittently a number of times.
Stop back at my Formula Boat Dealer, "Shipyard Marine" for my annual full drive service including new drive and shift bellows as the old ones were now 10-years old. They were not leaking, but it was time.
Understanding the ongoing problem we had with the Engine Oil Sensor their expert Technician and I discussed what paths to take next for troubleshooting. We decided first we would "Ohm" the wires that went to the sensor to assure there was continuity and no shorts to ground.
If that showed nothing we were going to swamp ECU from one motor to the other and see if it stayed with the engine, or moved to the other.
We had to unplug the wiring modules from the ECU, and lay them aside for Ohming and the Technician spotted something that didn't look right.
(Photo Attached)
Long story short, when MERC ran the wiring harness, they rolled it over tight against the aluminum mounting plate to plug the wiring modules into the ECU. The aluminum plate cut the protective wrap, plus the wire insulation, allowing it to short to ground thru the plate. The wire was not damaged, just the insulation.
We taped up the individual wires, then the entire wire bunch.
We then sliced a piece of rubber hose and slid it over the sharp edge of Merc's aluminum plate, on both motors (yes, both motors had the same issue).
A couple of months have went by, and 20+ hours and the problem has gone away.
On another note. I looked at another Formula boat with 496's motors in it. Guess what, his was wearing thru, just not as far yet.
How many motor does MERC have this issue on and they don't know it.
Love my Formula Boat. They have all been great. Engines and Outdrives are an area that continue to provide ongoing problems.
BeechBoy
Greetings,
We continue to have a problem with our Port Motor Oil Sensor on our 08 Formula 37 PC equipped with Mercruiser 496 HO's IO's. Boat has Axius (which has worked great), and Smartcraft Vessel View.
We had this problem before, acquired a new Oil Pressure Sensor from Formula Dealer, replaced it, and the problem went away.
The Mercruiser Vessel View system indicates the problem and retards the power, or shuts the motor down when it occurs. Motor is running great, and oil level is good.
After we replaced the Oil Pressure Sensor a few weeks ago we made the following trips, shutting down between each one, without any Oil Pressure Sensor problems.
All the following were without issues, after the new sensor installs.
- 20-Mile Round Trip with 4 starts
- 30-Mile Round Trip with 3 starts
- 25-Mile One Way Trip with 2 Starts
After the above the problems returned.
From a cold start, we left the beach and cruised down river about 7 miles without issues. We slowed for a No-Wake area for about 2-miles, started to come back up on plane and the Oil Pressure Sensor issued returned, with the newly installed sensor.
After resetting the the Smart Craft, we were able to sneak it back up on plane by waiting for the oil pressure sensor to show 20#+ and you could work it up and run.
Not sure where to go from here, and looking for assistance.
Thanks!
PART 2
And the Saga Continues, and hopefully is now OVER.
After installing 3rd Oil Sensor, I went off on a trip to the Great Lakes near Mackinaw Straits.
The 3rd new Sensor, again failed intermittently a number of times.
Stop back at my Formula Boat Dealer, "Shipyard Marine" for my annual full drive service including new drive and shift bellows as the old ones were now 10-years old. They were not leaking, but it was time.
Understanding the ongoing problem we had with the Engine Oil Sensor their expert Technician and I discussed what paths to take next for troubleshooting. We decided first we would "Ohm" the wires that went to the sensor to assure there was continuity and no shorts to ground.
If that showed nothing we were going to swamp ECU from one motor to the other and see if it stayed with the engine, or moved to the other.
We had to unplug the wiring modules from the ECU, and lay them aside for Ohming and the Technician spotted something that didn't look right.
(Photo Attached)
Long story short, when MERC ran the wiring harness, they rolled it over tight against the aluminum mounting plate to plug the wiring modules into the ECU. The aluminum plate cut the protective wrap, plus the wire insulation, allowing it to short to ground thru the plate. The wire was not damaged, just the insulation.
We taped up the individual wires, then the entire wire bunch.
We then sliced a piece of rubber hose and slid it over the sharp edge of Merc's aluminum plate, on both motors (yes, both motors had the same issue).
A couple of months have went by, and 20+ hours and the problem has gone away.
On another note. I looked at another Formula boat with 496's motors in it. Guess what, his was wearing thru, just not as far yet.
How many motor does MERC have this issue on and they don't know it.
Love my Formula Boat. They have all been great. Engines and Outdrives are an area that continue to provide ongoing problems.
BeechBoy
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