No Oil Alarm ---- temperature-related?

[Saint Clair Sportsman]

Guys,

I have a 2004 DFI 225 (not high-output, not e-tec).

This spring when I started it for the first time after winter storage, I got a no oil alarm. The alarm went away after a few minutes of looking for the issue, and motor ran fine all spring and summer.

Now this issue happened again last weekend, and again yesterday.

Last weekend I was again able to fish all day w/o issue, after the alarm went away after a few minutes of looking at the oil line, oil reservoir, etc.

Yesterday, however, the no oil alarm never went away, and I eventually gave up and put it back on the trailer.

Is it possible that these issues are temperature-related? It has been getting down in the low 30's up here at night, 40 for a high. I am running XD - 50 oil, and yes, there is at least a gollon of it in the reservoir. Ball on the oil line is "rock-hard".

Thanks for any quick replys, I want to winterize it today if possible.

[Jason Phillips]

For a quick answer, yes, the temperature can cause this with the XD-50 oil. You would have no issues with the XD-100.

But, on the other hand, I would have thought it had to get colder than that to affect even the XD-50.

Someone else will give you a more in depth answer.

[Saint Clair Sportsman]

Looks like this question may have been answered in a lower post about XD - 50 vs. XD - 100 in colder temps. I think that may explain it. Maybe I'll put a hair dryer on it for a few minutes to warm it up before I get it out on the lake. I just want to run it long enough to mix the stab-bil, fog the cyls. and get the gearcase warm to change the fluid (no "earmuffs" at home to do this in the driveway).

Looks like I'll switch to XD - 100 full time. I burn about 5-6 gallons oil per year, so what's an extra few bucks at this point?

Anyone feel free to give any further opinions, thanks.

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

Ya know... this weekend I had a thought( WATCH OUT!) What if..... you put a wrap type heater on the tank? I know we use to do that with our race cars in the cold on the dry sump tanks..... just a thought....

[ChampioNman]

Yes if the air gets cold the XD-50 will give a low/no oil alarm as the lift pump has to work harder to get it in the injectors. The XD100 will not have that problem. When I was in the Air Force we used to have tank heaters to keep the oil warm in sub zero weather. That is why diesel trucks idle in sub-freezing temps or they wouldn't crank over.

[RUSTY63]

A heating pad on low wrapped around the oil tank will keep the oil warm, if the "No Oil" light only comes on with initial start up it could be temperature related, if it comes on after you have run the motor for some time I would have the oil injector pressure sensor tested.

[Saint Clair Sportsman]

Rusty,

Problem is only at start-up so far. Once last March (temps in the 30s) and again twice in the past week (again, temps in the 30s). The first two times the fault cleared, but on Sunday my patience (and nerves) ran out before the fault could clear and I put it back on the trailer after 5-10 minutes at idle for fear I might damage the engine.

I talked with a local dealer yesterday. He claims the XD - 100 is only for e-tecs and I would not want to run it in my DI (something about programming the computer). He highly recommends I get it to a dealer to check the fault. Is he full of balongne?

[Jason Phillips]

Another case of dealers not being well trained. The XD-100 was designed with the E-Tec in mind, but is the BEST oil you can buy for any 2-stroke outboard you may have (especially the DI motors). You just will not see the additional advantage of being able to recalibrate the computer to use less oil as you can on the E-Tec.

[Bassmeister]

John from Illinois has given us DI guys a great reason to run the xd-100 He has run it for two years or so. and has a clean engine without decarbing! The DI is real good on oil not as good as the E-TEC but within reason to run year round' if your pocket book can stand it!!!