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    #1

    engine alarm while surfing

    We are getting an engine alarm while surfing on our 09 RZ2 with the 409 hp PCM motor.

    The boat never goes into limp mode. The first few alarms were at Norris a few weeks ago while surfing. The engine was also surging some afterwards. Fuel filters were clear. I attributed it to bad gas perhaps.

    After that trip, the dealer flashed the 409 PCM with new software from PCM thinking that may address the issue. We also had our 150 hour service so fluids were checked.

    This past weekend was the first time with the engine flash. After surfing about an hour, the engine alarm sounded again when the rpms were coming up but before we reached surf speed. I did not feel any loss of power or surging of the engine.

    I shut the boat off and let it sit. Turned it back on and cruised slow with no engine alarm. Speed up towards 10.6 mph and got the alarm again before reaching speed. Tried that once or twice more with the same result.

    Drained the tanks and did hole shots and cruising with no ballast and never got an engine alarm. We did no further surfing and got no more engine alarms.

    Anyone else have a similar issue?

    The boat is at the dealer and I will update with any results.
    Tags: None
    #2
    I've not had that issue though my engine alarm comes on periodically. I had the 100 hour service done last week and they didn't get any error codes when they hooked it up to the computer, so I'm a bit confused.

    Since it's not doing it when driving without ballast it seems it would have to do with either the extra strain on the boat (from the ballast weight) or the way the boat lists severely to one side or the other. I'm not a mechanic but those are really the only differences when surfing and regular cruising. Wish I could help more.

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      #3
      Duncan,
      Same thing happened to me. Here is what mine was.
      Check your oil level. I may have posted this issue a few weeks ago. I checked with my dealer about this issue. My alarms came on, checked my oil level and it was low which is unusual for a new boat. The dealer called PCM and they said that they have had a few inquiries to the same issue. The oil pan in v drive engine is situated such that when surfing the oil is pushed to the back of the back pan where it is shallowest. The oil level is relatively high there but low in front. The high level oil in the back gets burned off quickly ( ie. like you put too much engine oil in). Now you have less oil overall so the next time you go out, you have low oil, now you surf and the oil alarm goes off. I am using about a quart of oil every 25 hours, if I surf. They recommended that I just check the oil more often and keep it topped off. Look at your oil pressure gauge now when you are surfing then top off your oil level and look at your oil pressure gauge.
      Hope this works for you.

      Comment

        #4
        Kerlee...that's good to know. BTW...what oil do you use when topping off?

        Comment

          #5
          mercruiser 25w-40

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            #6
            Thanks!

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              #7
              So, my issue is not as simple as engine oil level (which was fine).

              PCM is sending an "accessory key switch", which will plug into the engine where the main engine plug usually goes. Then we try to re-create the issue under surf ballast (in the water). This eliminates the boat control issues and looks at just the engine.

              PCM is also sending a crank position sensor. Evidently they have seen issues (on 5.7L engines) after some hours where the crank position sensor collects debris. The sensor will be replaced if the accessory key switch eliminates the possibility that the problem is up in the boat, rather than in the engine.

              PCM also had the dealer tape and secure a loose tach lead that has caused issues with some engines.

              We are towing up to Lake Lou Yaeger, IL, this weekend. If the boat throws alarms when surfing, I guess we will just wakeboard (my wife may mutiny )

              Will post update when I know more.
              Last edited by Duncan; 07-16-2010, 08:38 PM.

              Comment

                #8
                Thanks for the update,
                Hope it all works out and you can surf

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                  #9
                  No alarms and we surfed at least 4 hours yesterday.

                  While the dealer did attend to a few things (as described above), they were not really expected to deal with the issue.

                  The fuel tank was 10 gallons from empty when I filled yesterday. Perhaps the last of bad gas?

                  Here's hoping no more alarms. Though I will be more diligent re oil level. Even though it did not cause it this time, maybe next time can avoid.

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