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Hi

Just returned from a few hours of low speed cruising in my 99 vista 258 (which i just purchased) and experienced a low oil pressure alarm. When the alarm went off i was doing approx 7mph. I increased the speed and the alarm stopped. I dropped the speed once again to dock and the alarm did not go off again. Anyone know what's up with that?

Thanks
Paddy

I guess i should have mentioned it is a volvo 5.7 . It runs great but i am just concerned when it comes to oil i just don t want to do any permanent damage. I thank everyone for your input it sure helps a great deal.

Is it a Merc??

I think is a VP.
My previous 258 year 1998 had same: going at the minimum the oil pressure alarm start chirping, increasing the engine RPM from 1000 to 1200 (or even less) the pressure rise again and alarm stops chirping.

The mechanic said it was due to a too liquid oil, we changed the oil, after 2 week ends of boating it started again, I called the mechanic and he was not able to fix the problem. He said: "there's no trouble, shall I cut the wires of he alarm?" .... I answered "no, if there's no trouble leve it as it is"

I kept the boat as it was, made one more summer seaoson with chirping alarm at minimum speed and after that past year I bought the 268.
Now my old 258 belongs to a guy that stays at my same dock: and the alarm is still chirping a the minimum speed when he is docking.

So finally if your engine mechanic is able to fix it tell me what's the solution, by the way don't be afraid it seems not to be a real issue for the engine.

regards
Oscar

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2006-288 Vista
"Drogue One" - a starboard story -
2 x Volvo Penta D3 - 160 HP

previous boats:
2001 -FW 268 Vista
1998 FW 258 Vista
2003 Saver 690 Cabin Sport

I have the same model and year. I had the same problem the first year I bought it back in 2003. I changed the oil pressure sending switch and it solved the problem. It has happened a "few" times since then when coming in to dock because of low rpms. But only when it is very hot after a long cruise. I believe it is the signal going to the gauge. I notice my oil pressure and water temp gauges run higher when cruising at night when the lights are on. I thought I was overheating the first time cruising at night. That's what makes me think it is a signal problem. That the gauge is inaccurate. I don't think it is anything to be concerned about unless your oil level is low If changing the sender switch doesn't work try putting on your navigation lights on. Might just be enough of a surge to the gauge to eliminate that annoying chirp.
I use the Volvo Penta 30wt synthetic motor oil.

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Todd
1999 258 Vista
Volvo Penta 5.7 GSI
DP-SM

I have the same boat/year/problem. I have never fixed it. I thought it was the crappy vdo guages. No clue. Happens all the time.

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Blue Baron
258 Vista 1999
Great Sacandaga NY

I had the same issue on my Horizon 180 with the 5 liter VP. It occurred unless the oil was at the very top of the full mark. I changed to Mobil1 15-50 oil and it went away. 15-50 is thicker and thus will run a higher pressure and thin out less than stock oil so it may solve the problem. This is not really a problem. What the sensor is reading is a lower oil pressure than the set value due to the oil being thinned out due to heat and low rpm's not spinning the oil pump fast enough. At idle speed this is not a problem as long as you have at least 10 psi of pressure.
Rob

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Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing
2001 Horizon 180

I as well think SeriousRob's point about the oil being thinned could be the cause of the oil alarm.

The dealer that we purchased our 328 Four Winns from told me they were changing out the oil in a number of the newer boats they service to the Mercury 25W40 oil due to the number of complaints they were receiving with oil alarms going off. They felt that the oil alarm was sensitive enough that bringing a boat down off plane after the engine(s) were running hard and the oil thinned out caused the oil alarm to go off. Of course this can scare the crap out of a boater, as an oil alarm could mean real bad things ($).

I run the Mercury 25W40 in our 328 and have used 25W40 in our past two boats as well.

Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

Yes, I would agree. I use 40 to 50 oil, the engine never gets a break. We will run it at 3500RPMs for 10,20 or even 30 minuets if not longer. No coasting down hill!! The oil is going to thin out.