Please help a newbie M18 alram sound when trying to start.

[biggio]

Guys I'm new to the sport. I have less than a year worth of expierence.I own a 86 Catalina 27 with an Universal M18 motor. My problem is I'm getting a buzz (alarm sound) When I trying to start the engine.This is new to me. I press the start button and get the buzz.My trouble shooting so far has been check voltage on both battiresboth indicated 12.7vdc They are recharging as I write this.I checked the shutoff switch at the engine and it is in the open position. If I took to much water in the exhaust would that cause an alarm and no start?Also I have a bilge pump that appears to be shorted out.I was taking on water during a storm and a heavy chop today.The water was comming up from the bilge. I had about three inches in the cabin and it was rising. The bilge cover was floating. My west marine handpump and a bucket saved the day. Probable cause of the flooding was the toliet being in the flush position. I dry flush but my wife used it for the first time today and set it to the flush position. I'm sure the flooding was from the toilet. but the cause is my theory at this time. I did not make it back to my slip I'm currently tied up a public park area and the police told me that kids vandalize boats in the area.any help would be welcomed. I try to be self reliant and look for the answer myselfbut time is not on myside at the moment. I have to go back out and sleep on my stinky boat this evening.

 

[Tim C350 April IV]

Does the alarm stop when the engine gets going?

I don't have that engine/boat, but it seems typical that the alarms will sound when the key is first turned on, and before the engine fires off. The purpose of the alarm sound at that stage is two-fold: first - to let you know that they are working, and second - to indicate that the engine oil pressure is low at that moment.Typically, there are two alarm situations: 1) engine overheat - which would be tied to a temp sensor and, after gettting the engine started, would only alert if the engine temperature exceeded a set limit - maybe 190 or something (just guessing). 2) engine low oil pressure - when just starting the engine, this is a given! Until the engine gets up to speed, the oil pump isn't pushing oil through at the expected pressure, and the alarm will sound, breifly. Once the engine fires off, both alarms should silence - unless something else is going on.As for the head situation - It might be good practice to keep the raw water intake valve closed unless you actually need it for flush water at that moment. You can still (mostly) empty P** from the bowl - and splashing a bit of jug water will help clear it from the bowl. Only open the raw water valve to the head when you are hanging around and planning on using it for a while.Good Luck!Tim BroganApril IV C350 #68Seattle

 

[Bill Roosa]

A little more info please

Is the buzz in addition to the low oil warning buzzer?Can you get the engine started?Does the buzz stop after start?Does the buzz sound like a very rapid clicking or a true buzz?Since you get the "buzz" when you press the start button I'm thinking you have a low voltage to the starter solenoid and it is cycling on and off very rapidly. This is common on a battery that has a big voltage drop once you start to draw current from it. A very discharged but not dead or almost dead battery. The sequence is:12.7 resting voltage before the start button is pressedafter pressing the start button the solenoid kicks in and current flows and voltage drops to ~8 volts which causes the solenoid to kick off which causes the current to stop which causes the voltage to rise which causes the solenoid to kick back in. This cycle can repeat upwards of 15-20 times per second. I would call the sound a click not a buzz so I'm kinda confused on that part and may have the diagnosis wrong. After charging the batteries this problem will go away unless you have a corrosion problem on the terminals.

 

[Maine Sail]

The alarm..

Should sound until the motor has developed oil pressure. The alarm circuit runs through the oil pressure switch and with the key "on", and the motor not yet running, there is NO oil pressure and the alarm is sounding and working as it should. If it stops when the motor gets running it's fine! The alarm circuit usually monitors engine temp and oil pressure as they are two most important. Some will also measure volts..The head should have a high loop and vacuum breaker/anti siphon device inserted between the outlet from the top of the heads pump to the back of the bowl. This should be mounted as high as possible to prevent siphoning. It sounds like you have a P.O. installed head with no anti-siphon or high loop. A high loop alone will NOT prevent siphoning!!

 

[biggio]

the alarm at push start only.

BillIt's an alarm sound. The indicater light is missing on the panel.The engine is not cranking.The alarm is present at the time I push the start switch only.I have oil on the dipstick but I would say its down to the lower 1/3Adding oil is going to be my first job this morning.But I don't have the toools to do the job till WM opens.I think I had a failed thru hull also the valve was in the closed position.

 

[sailaway78]

biggio

Don't panic, slow down and think. You do not need to go to WM to add oil, nor do you need tools to add oil to any engine I have heard of. Go to Wally World and get yourself a gallon of Rotella, or whichever oil you prefer. The buzzer is supposed to buzz from the time you turn the switch on, till the engine starts and builds up oil pressure. Should go off almost instantly after the engine cranks. If you have problems with thru hulls, and water intrusion into the boat, forget about the engine buzzer and fix the most important problems first. A bad or leaking thru hull is a much more important item than what you have described.

 

[Bill Roosa]

You have a short then

If the alarm goes off when you press the start button then there is a short in the ignition panel. That will keep the engine from starting also. Pull the panel and look for a chaffed wire. if you find one try to start after separating the wires. Repair with black friction tape or some heat shrink tubing.For what it is worth biggio, you are well on your way to becoming a person of experience. Bailing out your boat is one of the most stressful things I can think of when you don't know where the water is coming from.

 

[biggio]

Thanks guys

Still no luck getting her started. I added oil instead of doing an oil change so my WM trip wasn't nessary ( I still need the oil extractor pump).I'm planning on getting her into the boat yard in the AM. Going to get a bottom job and some new seacocks,and a exhaust with a flapper valve and anti siphon system for the head and a bilge pump with switch.Wifey came thru and said she doesn't want to wait on me to get it doneand is ready to go back out. One of the biggest lessons learned was my hand pump and a bucket vs maual bilgeon the boat was a no contest. Bucket for the win.Thanks again.