Oil Line Bubbles ETEC 250 HO

[Mark Weare]

A buddy bought a new to him Stratos 201 Evo boat and it came with a 2008 250HO on the back. Motor was new in spring 09 and has 55.44 hours on it.

serial # 5259071 model # R250DHLISC (btw, why R?)

He came to me to get I-Command working, turns out to be Stratos gauges and not true i-command, all electronic. Everything worked and all data displayed properly except water pressure and it just shows 0 PSI. I hooked up the laptop and it got minus 0.17 for exhaust pressure reading but I saw no other data listings for water presure. I'd appreciate any input there.

With the cover off I looked for disconnected wires etc and found air bubbles in one of the oil lines coming from the oil distribution block. I asked him if he ran the oil down and he said no, it has been full since he got the boat a few weeks ago. I told him to check it with a dealer but while there I ran the oil prime sequence for him to be safe, it took 4 times to get all of the bubbles out. While we were doing this we got a buzzer and subsequently code 38 was set. I powered it down, repowered to finish oil prime, it set the code one more time but after the prime finished everything was looking good with no more buzzers etc. Here is that code data:

38 2 55:40 55:41 -- Oil pressure pulses in distribution manifold not detected
RPM=889; TPS=0%; Baro=100Hg; Air=9°C; Port=61°C; Stbd=57°C; EMM=25°C; Exh=0kPa; WP=0psi; SV=54V; BV=13V

Comments or ideas?

Btw, motor indicates good pressure through the telltale but no sensor reading. I told him that if we do not find something simple here he should at least install a manual gauge as he does run a hydraulic jackplate. It also showed 0 PSI at the lake according to him but I will recheck that to be sure.

Thanks for the help.

[ezellmer]

Hey Mark
DHLISC would indicate a 2010 model year motor.

Not sure on the R prefix, there were a few limited edition charcoal colored HOs made for Ranger, but I thought those were all 09 100th Anniversary motors and this is a Stratos.

[Mark Weare]

I used SC which is 08 (C though is the production code and IS is the year). I know the dealer bought this new last year and ran it for a season selling it to my friend a month ago.

[Mark Weare]

The issue is the gauge/install itself, seems that you need a specific kit to get the water pressure displayed properly from the motor to the gauges. Talked to the dealer and he was never able to determine which kit it needed last year so he never hooked it up, he will call Stratos again and see which kit it takes to get it reading.

Per code 38 we'll assume it is possible to set that during repeated oil priming sequences as nothing has been posted to the contrary.

Dealer bought motor as a 2009 on the 09 Evo BUT it was reapired under warranty last year with a fully dressed 2010 powerhead. I got the model # from the computer and did not cross it to the actual motor tag though I did confirm the serial # on the tag.

[SEAHORSE]

If the engine tag model number starts with an " E " and the computer report model number starts with an " R ", that signifies a replacement powerhead was done. The computer model number should be used for parts, service procedures, and specs because of the newer style powerhead.

[Mark Weare]

Thanks Seahorse, you are correct of course. Tag is still the 2009 tag with E prefix, the model number I gave you comes up on the computer only and it did have that fully dressed powerhead put in last year.

The serial # matches the upgrade as well but we have to get the 2010 powerhead part # off of it as that changes it according to the dealer so this is the last thing to do before this guy starts running her regularly.

Thanks again guys.