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Hello all,

I just purchased a 1998 FW Sundowner 225, with the 5.0L GI motor. I have tried researching this, and found many issues with the oil light, but they seem to be under opposite or different circumstances. I was hoping someone could help me out.

I have taken it out four times now. Three of those times, the oil light starts flashing and beeping within minutes of wide open throttle. I immediately slow down, shut down the motor and start it up again, and it is good for the rest of the day. The only time it didn't happen, was when I ran it on Friday night and then again on Saturday morning. In all instances, there was plenty of "warm up" time, before going full throttle at idle speeds through the canal.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kris

What oil viscosity are you using?

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I would go to the auto parts store and get a mechanical pressure gauge and see what pressure that says. I have a 1998 225 Sundowner with 5.7Gsi DP and had a similar problem, mechanical gauge showed pressure was fine. It ended up being the VDO dash. I also would have the temp gauge peg at max when inflating my tube with the inflator plugged into the 12V dc socket with the engine running, unplug it and temp went back to normal.

Not sure, I just bought the boat last week. the previous owner said the oil change was just done about a month ago, but he hadn't taken it out yet. according to him the oil light has never come on.

That would be interesting if it were just the VDO dash. Did you ever get yours fixed? or just dealt with it?

I replaced it in 2008. Price was around $500.

You could get an oil analysis kit and have a sample analysed, but it's likely just as easy to buy a 5L jug of 25w40 and replace the oil yourself.
It may have a cheap, Walmart 5w30 in there, designed for Chevy cars?

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

I don't think it is the gauges. You mentioned an oil light going on but did not mention an oil pressure gauge, is your boat equipped with one? If so, what does the gauge do while the light is on the boat is beeping?

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

I have a similar problem with my 5.7 GSI. The oil pressure gauge reads at the top of the red area before it does and is only when at a low idle after a long run. Changed the oil and filter to a heavy weight oil--had the VP 10w30--and that has pretty much fixed it. I know my idle is extremely low and will next replace my Idle Air Control unit to see if that brings the idle up to normal.

As far as oil do not use a 10w-30 stick with the following:
Merc 25/40
Straight 30 or 40
Delo 400/Rotella/Pennzoil Marine 15w/40

Conventional non Syn multi weights shear down too much in marine use...

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Got in to my engine bay yesterday and swapped out the IAC and replaced the distributor cap and rotor. Not sure when the cap and rotor were changed last but they looked shot. The IAC was definitely bad with the pintle stuck in the wide open position. With the new components, the engine started immediately in the neutral position as it is supposed to--previously, I had to pump the throttle like on the older non-MFI engines to get it to start, held a normal idle and the oil pressure is now where it is supposed to be without the alarms sounding. Was always concerned that the source of my oil pressure warnings were due to the erratic idle and perhaps even with the 30W oil. Now all seems to be as it should--we'll see.

Did you get the boat to WOT to test it?

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

No. Not yet. The boat is on the trailer so this was all done out of water using the muffs. Will get to check it this weekend.

Got it out on the water today. She fired right up but as we were gaining some speed the engine started to run roughly. Applying more throttle the engine started to backfire pretty badly. Off with the engine cover and a little checking with the internet on the correct firing order revealed that I had inadvertently switched the number 4 and 8 plug wires when hooking up the new distributor cap. After switching these around, the engine fired right up idled perfectly and ran like a top for the rest of the day. Thank God for the internet and smartphones!

I am now having the temp guage issue as well. I was just rereading this and I am wondering if it is because I have a USB adapter plugged into my 12v receptacle. Which would be the exact same problems you had. Where do you buy the new cluster? Wouldn't it just happen again since this is such a common problem?