Post oil pump replacement issues

[blueblaster8]

2015 Mercury 225 Optimax Pros XS

SN: 2B093135


I made a post about 6 months ago, sharing some pictures of my oil pump. Users seemed to agree it was in fact leaking and needed to be replaced. I brought it to a certified merc dealer. They replaced the pump, as well as did the winterization.

Well I got on the water for the first time since then, about 6 months later. Engine started right up, but its telling me its in break-in mode. 111 of the 120 minutes remaining. Not sure why this is, assuming however they primed the new pump, triggered the break-in mode. Regardless of how it happened, after reading some other posts, sounds like the only way out is to run the break-in timer down. After 3-4 minutes of running around at ~4000 rpms, I get beep and fault code 14, engine mounted oil tank is low. Didnt do any troubleshooting or anything on the water, as main priority was to get back to dry land. I did pull the cowling when I got home, and tank was between 1/2 - 3/4 full. It was full prior to going out, and the remote tank is 3/4 full.

Have seen some comments from Don on other posts about the pump having nothing to do with the engine mounted tank receiving oil from the remote tank, so that makes me feel optimistic that its not an issue with the new pump, but certainly doesn't seem like coincidence.

Motor has 138 hours on it. I am mainly just frustrated and venting, and have an idea of preliminary troubleshooting. But I am curious if anybody has any opinions on what may have caused the break-in mode, now oil not getting pulled into the engine tank, and how to proceed.

Thanks in advance guys.

sigh....

[Savage]

Dealer put the motor in "break-in mode". Nothing can be done to correct this
Dealer should have performed an "Oil pump prime" with a scan tool

The motor mounted reserve oil reservoir needs the air bleed. Follow this link >>>>> How to BLEED the ENGINE MOUNTED OIL TANK when AIR IS PRESENT

Make sure all the caps are tight on the remote oil tank.

[lpugh]

I would also make sure the pressure line is connected to the check valve as they were working in that area, though it would not been needed to remove it. sounds like amateur work being done

[65Stang]

If you are using DFI oil, I would check the remote tank pickup for “gelled” oil. Been there done that 2 times.

hope ya get her fixed

[EuropeanAM]

If you can bleed the air from the engine mounted oil tank, get it out on the water and try to keep it at level trim, ABOVE 3500 RPM's. Timer only counts down when the engine is under heavy load and above 3500 RPM's.

Don't forget to top off oil level EVERY time you go out because it's using DOUBLE (twice as much) oil.

[blueblaster8]

Thanks for the responses everyone, really appreciated.

I put in an inquiry directly with Mercury, via their website, and actually got a phone call ~10 minutes later from a guy named Jeff, pretty impressed with the response time. Anyways, Jeff told me that the motor going into break-in mode is expected following a oil pump prime. He said no need to do anything differently, as I'm not actually breaking anything in, just run the boat as I normally would and eventually it'll come out of break-in mode. He indicated that the oil input will be increased, but not necessarily for the entire time.

I am on the fence in terms of believing the break-in mode is normal, expected, and unavoidable following an oil pump prime. But the reality is that its in break-in mode, nothing I can do about that, and Mercury themselves says is normal, and to run the motor like I typically would.


As for the low oil alarm I am getting, I finally was able to get back out on the water. I attempted to bleed the air from the engine oil tank via the method of loosening the cap, and running the engine. Ive done this successfully in the past, but this time it would not fill. When I first fired up the motor I saw a small amount of oil get pulled into the tank, but that was it. It never filled, and the level remained the same for ~5 mins.

While the motor is running, I do notice a pretty stout hissing sound coming from the area around the engine mounted tank. I did take a video but am unable to upload it. Is this a bad check valve? Didnt necessarily feel any air or suction using my hand around the check valve while motor was running, but not sure if I would or not? Plan on pulling lower cowling soon for a visual inspection soon.

Thanks again.

[Savage]

Break-in-Mode is in no way connected with Oil Pump Prime Sequence.

Break-in-Mode and Oil Pump Prime Sequence are TWO totally separate operations, that perform unrelated tasks.

Click on this link and follow the recommendations >>>>>New check valve reservoir still wont prime

[blueblaster8]

Thanks for your responses Savage, I appreciate it.

I don't disagree w/ you in regards to break-in mode and oil pump prime being unrelated. But any idea why mercury themselves are telling me that its normal, expected?


Regarding this compressed air noise I am hearing from the area of the in-line oil filter, and check-valve. What are symptoms of a bad check valve? Would I be able to hear the sound of air coming in/out of it? Would I be able to feel air movement around it with my hand?

I did read up on the posts about oil tanks not filling, and checking for clogs/gunk/residue, and I will check that. But considering the background of the pump being recently replaced, and this noise I am hearing, I am thinking it has all got to be related. Unless by pure coincidence clogs/gunk/residue related issues are surfacing right after the pump replacement, and when this noise has started.

I did talk to my dealer, they told me to bring it in for them to ensure I am in good shape, but I am planning a few more troubleshooting tips before I let them touch it again.


Heres a video of the sound immediately after I shut the engine down, and you hear it for a few seconds, then it peters out:

[Savage]

The "check valve" associated with the pressurization of the Remote Oil Tank is on the opposite side of the motor (starboard)

[blueblaster8]

The "check valve" associated with the pressurization of the Remote Oil Tank is on the opposite side of the motor (starboard)

Okay, I may be mistaking the "check valve" with the "fitting" thats on the line from remote oil tank, to engine mounted tank, part# 8M0207780.

Do you have any input on this noise coming from the area around this fitting?


TIA

[JOE54]

follow the hose from the fitting on the engine block into the rigging tube sounds like air leak in this hose or connector in tube

[EuropeanAM]

Okay, I may be mistaking the "check valve" with the "fitting" thats on the line from remote oil tank, to engine mounted tank, part# 8M0207780.

Do you have any input on this noise coming from the area around this fitting?


TIA

Why type of noise? Whistle, sucking, hissing, etc?

[blueblaster8]

Why type of noise? Whistle, sucking, hissing, etc?

It sounds like unrestricted release of compressed air. A few posts above I have a link to a video I captured, immediately after I shut the motor off. You can hear it for a few seconds as its waning out.

[EuropeanAM]

Thanks!

Very likely it's coming from the Air-Pressure side of the Injection System (hose, o-ring, injector o-ring under rail, air compressor reeds, etc)-

OR-

A leaky hose for the Crankcase Pressure Check Valve (that pressurizes the remote oil tank).



Listen around the powerhead and see if you can determine "where" it's coming from. A piece of 5/8" or 3/4" heater-hose, placed to your ear while you listen around the engine may help to pinpoint the leak.

Definitely hear it in the video, and it is NOT normal.

[blueblaster8]

Thanks Don for you're time to review and reply, and for confirming thats an abnormal sound. The mercury certified dealer was willing to immediately take a look at my concerns, and correct anything caused by their work related to the pump replacement. Got it back today. They're ensuring me that there are no concerns, and everything is working "as expected" with the motor being in break-in mode. Saying the oil tank is full and mechanic can see oil being pumped in from the remote tank. Also standing behind the fact that they cant do anything further until its out of break-in mode,. I guess we'll see. Im no mechanic but know this noise and behavior is no at all normal or expected.

Ill do some more testing, and try to pinpoint where this sound/air leak is coming from. Fingers crossed its something simple, and not more complex. I thought I was doing the right thing by looking up a dealer/service center on mercury website, I guess not necessarily.

[EuropeanAM]

Best bet is to look for a Premier-Service Dealer, preferably one with the CSI Award (denoted by a "Star").

That returns a list of the higher-qualified dealers, combined with those who have consistently shown a commitment to Customer Satisfaction.

[alli ss]

Sounds like they did the oil pump prime with the shifter and put it in break in mode instead of priming only with the computer.

[Savage]

Sounds like they did the oil pump prime with the shifter and put it in break in mode instead of priming only with the computer.

TRUE!

[SilverFox579]

I thought I was doing the right thing by looking up a dealer/service center on mercury website, I guess not necessarily.

You did, unfortunately the tech took a short cut vs doing the right thing. Nothing you can do about it now except follow Don's advice to run the break-in clock down.

[JOE54]

"when they dont know you gotta go" somewhere else