I bought an 99 alumacraft dominator with 1996? Johnson 40hp EL with direct inject. I had the engine serviced/winterized last winter. I started using the boat about every weekend (at least every Saturday, if not Saturday and Sunday) starting mid April. On a trip last week, the warning alarm started and was constant, but the water pump was flowing and the engine did not appear to be overheating. (The manual says a constant alarm indicates overheating.) I tried everything to stop the alarm, and eventually unfastened the oil container and shook it up. The alarm stopped shortly after I did that.

Then this past weekend the alarm started again and was constant. I finally realized that the oil was really low--less than 1/5 full. Could extremely low oil be the reason the alarm is sound, and not because the engine is overheating? Also, I assume the evinrude oil that I see in the stores is the best oil to use. Is this the case?

Thanks in advance for answering this novice's questions.

TJ