ETEC 250 "No Oil" Warning

1978SeaRider · 04 June 2014, 18:18

Hi,

I have a problem the dealer can't fix.

Started with a "Sensor Malfunction - see dealer"

Then progressed to "No Oil" and then limp mode.

I've changed the Oil Sensor and it's now intermittent... Dealer is basically now stuck.

Any ideas ? Software maybe ?

The faults basically ruined my "boating holiday"... Bad times...

Any help would be REALLY appreciated

Pikey Dave · 04 June 2014, 18:24

try doing an auto winterisation. Are you getting "no oil" or "low oil" Also get a printout from the engine, it will show any fault codes.

Which dealer did you take it to?

When you get the fault does the oil primer bulb collapse?

1978SeaRider · 04 June 2014, 18:32

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the reply...

It started with 'Faulty Sensor' then the day after Im sure it was "No Oil" not "Low Oil"... Then the 'P' symbol and limp mode.

I've took it to Dulas Marine on Anglesey, the only dealer with a good few hours...

I got the oil sensor changed - wasn't that... then they said it must be the wiring loom - wasn't that... now they are saying it could be the oil line....

They ran it in a tub for an hour with no fault, next try fault, then no fault...

It's still with then but I'll run over tomorrow and try the Winterise...

Might be a coincidence but I topped the oil tub up the day it all started... But I've check and the caps on and all seems fine ?

Some USA forums are saying software ?

I'm lost.

Pikey Dave · 04 June 2014, 18:41

How old is the engine, has it ever been updated/serviced? Any Evinrude dealer should check the software & update it as part of the service. If you get an engine report, it will show the software version. If it's worked ok previously & suddenly started playing up, I wouldn't suspect software. Could be a nipped oil line either from the main tank or on the engine. When it happens again, try pumping the oil primer bulb & see if it clears, that would indicate a restriction in the oil line or a blockage in the tank pickup. If you remove the cowl & watch the oil lines on the engine whilst it's running, you should see micro bubbles running in the clear oil lines that run around the block.

gotchiguy · 04 June 2014, 19:02

We had almost this exact problem two years ago. No oil was on permenantly and the engine was in limp home mode. There is little info about this on the web and you are the first person I have come accross with the same problem. Listen to what pikey said and check if there are any bubbles in the oil lines either side of the oil manifold.

Our fault was eventually traced to a series of problems which all fed back to the fact that the oil line was joined in so many places that it was leaking like a sieve! Over the course of three seasons the oil sensor had seen the low oil pressure and sent the oil pump into overdrive. So much so that when we replaced the oil line and oil sensor, the oil pump continued to pump far too much oil in and it was Smokey as anything! Hopefully your pump is ok, but now you have changed the sensor the next thing to do is make sure there is no nip in the oil line and most importantly that it is totally continuous with no joins or leaks. Best of luck!

matt h · 04 June 2014, 19:07

Sorry cant help on the technicalities of the issues, but this would be a good start!

Pikey Dave · 04 June 2014, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

Sorry cant help on the technicalities of the issues, but this would be a good start!

Soooooo predictable

matt h · 04 June 2014, 19:38

What was ?

1978SeaRider · 04 June 2014, 19:42

Thanks everyone, really appreciate the help

I'm going over in the morning to try the above, I'll let you know how I get one. Fingers crossed

1978SeaRider · 04 June 2014, 19:44

Sorry Dave, yes it's been dealer serviced annually since new, apart from last season... so hopefully they've done the software updates, I'll check they've checked recent software updates tomorrow

Pikey Dave · 04 June 2014, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

What was ?

Naughty naughty

scubaqua · 04 June 2014, 23:01

I Had the same with mine. I turned the oilbox a 90 degrees and no problem anymore.
This because the sensor is positioned at one side at with going of trottle the sensor "was thinking" there is low oil.
When you turn the oilbox 90 degrees the sensor is positioned in a diferent way of theway you are driving...
Sorry for my bad explanation, but hope you understand what i mean...

gotchiguy · 05 June 2014, 15:19

"No Oil" is a very different problem from "Low Oil".

It's nothing to do with the oil tank or its sensor, though it may be sensible to change the oil filter which is buried in the bottom of the oil tank.