The red warning light on 02' SAN

[Flux]

So we were getting the 02' SANTE that we got in January and were changing out the oil and stowing all the gear etc. First thing that freaks me out is when we were running the engine to warm up the oil a bit, I notice water pissing out of where the shaft goes back into the boat. After some inspection, it is clear that there is a hose going to the packing gland and shooting water back through, that was a new one for me, although most of them are.

Anyway, we have that stupid light on the starter dash pod that comes on when you start the boat and says it is gonna go off above 1200 RPM. SO after we change the oil and I resealed the strainer which was leaking a bit I fired it back up to check it all out and that light is on, but we are only idling. So after it warms up I up the RPMS in nuetral to 1300 just to see if the light goes off, it doesn't of course, so there we are, so I try a few more times and it still stays on. So I shrug my shoulders.

Thing is, I have an engine warning light on my car that means absolutely diddly. In fact, it freaks out when you clean the fuel injectors. Is this thing the same way?? I had to take out and reinstall the knock sensor to drain the block when I got the boat. It said to torque back in, but there is no possible way to get a torque wrench on it, so I made it a loose snug.

Anyway, just looking for any info on that light and how it functions and what it's supposed to know. Is there a reset??

[scooby]

Actually had that same question regarding the warning light for my dealer. He explained that the boat must be in gear for it to register. If you just rev the RPM on the trailer it will stay on.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Scooby

[NautiqueJeff]

Yeah, scooby's right. That red light is the oil pressure warning light for your V-drive unit. If the boat isn't in gear, the V-drive doesn't turn, and thus doesn't build any pressure.

[skinautique]

The light could also indicate that you have a bad oil pressure or temperature sensor. The water spitting out from your shaft is for the dripless packing. The water lubricates the shaft instead of the wax rope.

[Flux]

You guys bring a tear to my eye. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

I bought the boat used and don't have a relationship with the dealer yet. With only 110 hrs on it, I figured I was OK as it was sold through the dealer after 20hrs and the guy before me had it in twice. I changed out the oil because we had a pretty wet winter for socal.

I have religiously read the manual and the service manual and all other materials related (Thanks NautiqueJeff) that I pulled from this site. The owner's manual is not fully accurate as this boat is different from what they have pictured and the oil light is now on the pod. I figured we were gonna dunk the boat this weekend anyway regardless and as always, just hope for the best. I have a full compliment of tools in case anything get's fuzzy or leaks or whatever. I had a feeling that reving the boat on the trailer was not gonna do it. That boat needs to run on the water, been sitting way too long.

Thanks everyone, I owe a few cases of beverages to several on this board, Jeff and Ski especially, and add scoob to the list too. Very very very much appreciated.

[skinautique]

The light could also indicate that you have a bad oil pressure or temperature sensor. The water spitting out from your shaft is for the dripless packing. The water lubricates the shaft instead of the wax rope.

Let me add just a little bit to my post. I didn't pay close attention to which light you were referring to. The light that says 1200 rpm is an indicator for the vdrive. The boat does need to be in gear in order to have this light go off.
The other red light (on the top section of the dash) has to do with the oil pressure and temperature sensor.

Sorry for the confusion.

[skinautique]

You can put the boat in gear while it is on the trailer. It won't hurt anything at all. Just make sure everyone is clear of the prop and the exhaust. As long as you properly changed the oil (right weight and amount), you should be fine. I have seen boats sit for years at a time and fire right up and run just fine. It is always better for them to run but if they have to sit, they will survive! Keep us posted!

[Flux]

I wondered about putting the boat in gear on the trailer. I figured you could probably put into gear but not rev it up, kind of just idling in gear, maybe just a bit of throttle. I figured there might be some issues with no resistance on the prop creating a mechanical failure, kind of like how a tranny needs a flywheel. I was wondering this since changing out the tranny fluid requires shifting into forward and reverse and the V-drive should be warmed up before it's changed as well.

By the way, the "Suck Up" I bought at Skidim worked very nicely, pulled all 4 quarts right out of the oil pan. A bit slow, but we probably should have run it a few more minutes. Not even a drop on the upholstry or carpet if you wipe the hose down as you pull it out. I will probably take it with me to the lake and change the tranny fluid out there where I can warm the boat up and run it a bit. The V-drive fluid looked super clean, so I might leave it alone. The tranny oil is still very red and not dirty at all, but what the heck.

Thanks for all the help, I am still learning about the boat and really appreciate all the experience and wisdom people pass along on this board. Hopefully this weekend will be all about learning the ropes and having fun too. Supposed to be in the high 80's at Havasu.

[WakeUp]

The Red Warning Light on 02' SAN

Bad Information. Don't put your boat in gear on the trailer.

You will burn up the strut bearing, otherwise known as water bearing. This bearing requires direct water lubrication to keep it from getting hot. With the wax gland there is no water on the shaft. With the dripless packing gland, most of the water flows off the shaft before reaching the strut due to gravity. There is not enough water remaining to keep the bearing lubricated or cool.

The strut bearing needs to be submerged when the shaft is turning or you will severely diminish the life expectancy.

The red engine light should go off immediately upon engine start up and stay off. The smaller amber/red light is associated with the v-drive oil pressure and will not go off until the transmission is in gear (boat in water) above ~~ 1200 rpm.

[jwhposon]

RE: The Red Warning Light on 02

I am confused guys. I was told to never start the boat on the trailer because it would burn up the packing, boat was an older brendella. Now when I start the Nautique SAN 2004, it dumps water from the drive shaft -- I didn't expect that -- it will that cool it enough?

[Laptom]

RE: The Red Warning Light on 02

WakeUp is right!! Don't put your boat in gear while it's not in the water... You can burn your bearing...

[97sport]

RE: The Red Warning Light on 02

WakeUp and Laptom are right on. never ever put a inboard in gear when it's on the trailer. Strut bearing damage is inevitable. O.K. to idle in neutral if water source is hooked up.