Sporadic Alarm on take off 326 AFT

[Marty]

2000 326 Aft that periodically an alarm sounds when I throttle up to get up on plane. When I back off to idle speed the alarm stops but I have to throttle down to zero power (although I leave in gear).

Once I completely throttle down I can take off fine with no alarm.

Doesn’t happen every time either....any ideas?

Thanks guys

[bud37]

Heh Marty......Just a little more info might help the guys ......what engine package do you have and what does the alarm sound like......one beep, two beeps, continuous etc.. any work done lately ??

[Marty]

Twin Merc’s 5.7l 350 hp. Continuous alarm which only stops when I throttle down. Only work done recently was two idler pulleys were changed on Port engine

[tomschauer]

The alarm should be one of three things. Low oil pressure, hi engine temp or high trans temp. I know you don't have a gauge for the trans, but what are the other two reading on each engine?

[tomschauer]

A friend of mine has the same boat, same year with the mercury MPI mag engines. He was getting nuisance over heat alarms. His are raw water cooled. He pulled the water pumps off the engines, not the seawater pumps, but the engine circulator pumps, and found the impeller's pretty much gone. One actually fell off when he sat the pump on the dock.

[bud37]

That sounds like what they call a hard alarm.....do you know which engine is creating this alarm ? Now you may have to get a tech to hook up and check for codes in memory, but before you get the guy out, check all your grounds and battery connections, alternator connections etc..... also check the belt tension on the side they worked on....may save some time......good luck man.

[Marty]

I’ve noticed that the port runs a bit higher temp wise overall. Generally around 180 degrees vs 160-70 on the Starboard gauge wise

[bud37]

OK, well I think I might check that port side serpentine belt.....temps seem a bit high.....have the raw water pump impellors been serviced lately ?.....is this something that started after the idler pulleys were replaced ?

[Marty]

I believe it’s the port engine that’s giving me the alarm. As I mentioned I had the marina change a couple pulleys as that was the diagnosis this spring (originally it was thought to be a water pump). I’ll check it out and as I said the alarm only sounds at original throttle up.

Yes this started after the pulleys were changed and as the boat is new to me I assume the raw water impellers have not been replaced

[Marty]

Hey Bud, I’m not much of a mechanic so can you elaborate what to look for belt wise??