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I test drove a boat I am interested in buying. It had a 1992 Mercury Classic 40 hp on it. While I was test driving, an audible alarm went off. It stayed on for about 1 minute and then went off after I reduced speed. When I asked the seller about it, he said that it was an alarm to indicate that the resevior for the oil was low. He told me that his maintenance guy said that the switch was bad and it would go off from time to time. I know for a fact that the resevior was full. So, could it be true that the alarm switch is bad or does this audible alarm mean something else? Thanks for your help. Mike

Submitted: 69 days and 3 hours ago.

Category: Boat

Value: $18

Status: CLOSED

Make (of engine): Mercury
Model (of engine): Classicc
Year: 1992
Horsepower: 40 hp

Already Tried:
just test drove the boat

Posted by capt ron 1959 69 days and 3 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello Mike,was the alarm steady or intermittant?
Capt Ron

69 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

steady from what I can remember

Posted by capt ron 1959 69 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

Mike,a steady alarm is for overheat condition,not oil,it sounds like the water pump impellor is weak,to replace water pump impellor you need to pull the lower unit,not a big job.Hope this helps.
Capt Ron

69 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

What would it mean if it was an intermittant alarm because I can not remember for sure

Posted by capt ron 1959 69 days and 2 hours ago.

Answer

The intermittant alarm would be for low oil,or oil pump.The way you explain it,it sounds like a water pump issue,you can disconnect the oil switch alarm to test,if the switch for the oil was bad,why didn't he replace it.The oil switch is not RPM sensitive,water temp is,the higher the RPM,the more water it needs.Let me know if I can help.
Capt Ron

69 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

Last question, if it is an oil pump, is that costly? Thank you in advance. Mike

Accepted Answer

Hello again,replacing the oil pump can get pricey,or you can disconnect the oil pump and mix the gas and oil,would check cooling system first,if the oil pump was bad,the alarm would stay on,the oil pump can't fix itself.
Capt Ron

Accepts:
Expert:	capt ron 1959
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	9/15/2009

Marine Mechanic

30+ yrs. exp. Own a mobile marine shop in SW Florida

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Make (of engine): Mercury
Model (of engine): Classicc
Year: 1992
Horsepower: 40 hp

Already Tried:
just test drove the boat

Info Request

Hello Mike,was the alarm steady or intermittant?
Capt Ron

Reply

steady from what I can remember

Answer

Mike,a steady alarm is for overheat condition,not oil,it sounds like the water pump impellor is weak,to replace water pump impellor you need to pull the lower unit,not a big job.Hope this helps.
Capt Ron

Reply

What would it mean if it was an intermittant alarm because I can not remember for sure

Answer

Reply

Last question, if it is an oil pump, is that costly? Thank you in advance. Mike

Accepted Answer

Hello again,replacing the oil pump can get pricey,or you can disconnect the oil pump and mix the gas and oil,would check cooling system first,if the oil pump was bad,the alarm would stay on,the oil pump can't fix itself.
Capt Ron

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Optional Information

Make (of engine): MercuryModel (of engine): ClassiccYear: 1992Horsepower: 40 hp Already Tried: just test drove the boat

Info Request

Hello Mike,was the alarm steady or intermittant? Capt Ron

Reply

steady from what I can remember

Answer

Mike,a steady alarm is for overheat condition,not oil,it sounds like the water pump impellor is weak,to replace water pump impellor you need to pull the lower unit,not a big job.Hope this helps. Capt Ron

Reply

What would it mean if it was an intermittant alarm because I can not remember for sure

Answer

Reply

Last question, if it is an oil pump, is that costly? Thank you in advance. Mike

Accepted Answer

Hello again,replacing the oil pump can get pricey,or you can disconnect the oil pump and mix the gas and oil,would check cooling system first,if the oil pump was bad,the alarm would stay on,the oil pump can't fix itself. Capt Ron

Related Boat Questions

Make (of engine): Mercury
Model (of engine): Classicc
Year: 1992
Horsepower: 40 hp

Already Tried:
just test drove the boat

Hello Mike,was the alarm steady or intermittant?
Capt Ron

Mike,a steady alarm is for overheat condition,not oil,it sounds like the water pump impellor is weak,to replace water pump impellor you need to pull the lower unit,not a big job.Hope this helps.
Capt Ron

Hello again,replacing the oil pump can get pricey,or you can disconnect the oil pump and mix the gas and oil,would check cooling system first,if the oil pump was bad,the alarm would stay on,the oil pump can't fix itself.
Capt Ron