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Hello All!

I'm new to the forum and thought I'd post a question about a recent problem. I have a 1998 Cobalt 233, 7.4 Mercruiser Bravo Three. Recently I had a continuous warning beep after cruising for 10 minutes, and it didn't stop until I shut down the engine. Temps and pressures all normal, about 160-175 engine temp, about 40 psi oil pressure while cruising. No warning lights on dash. Engine oil is full. I doubt it is the depth alarm, as I was idling in 15 feet of water prior to that, and no issues. It happened in deep water, 50-100 feet. Only happens under power after cruising for a while, about 10 mins or so. I was babying it at 35mph and about 3200rpm. It happened 3 times in a row. I have thru hull exhaust, (which was closed) but many engine hours ago had to remove solenoids that open and close exhaust and replaced them temporarily with basic turnbuckles so I can manually open and close them. Both were closed tightly upon inspection. Only other symptom was some steam (don't think it was smoke, because it didn't smell and it dissipated quickly) from starboard thru hull only. Steam only happened after I stopped for a few moments after shutdown. Any thoughts as to the cause or what the continuous alarm means? Thanks!

Hey 98C233. Welcome to the CobaltChat forum. So glad you found us!

Did you happen to check your drive lube reservoir? That will set off an alarm. Bravo III outdrives tend to run hot. We also recommend a drive shower.

Any pics?

Again welcome aboard mate!

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AsLan7 wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:47 pm Hey 98C233. Welcome to the CobaltChat forum. So glad you found us!

Did you happen to check your drive lube reservoir? That will set off an alarm. Bravo III outdrives tend to run hot. We also recommend a drive shower.

Any pics?

Again welcome aboard mate!

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Agree!

Thank you both for the reply!! I think the drive lube reservoir looked topped off but I will double check. Also, what is a drive shower? Please forgive me for being uninformed about that! I will add a pic of my boat once I get ne uploaded.

98Cobalt233 wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 8:05 pm Thank you both for the reply!! I think the drive lube reservoir looked topped off but I will double check. Also, what is a drive shower? Please forgive me for being uninformed about that! I will add a pic of my boat once I get ne uploaded.

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Sure thing.
Click this link to check out the specifics of a drive shower.

Here's ours...

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Great! Thank you so much for sharing. I have something similar on mine, but it is only on the port side and I can't figure out yet how to add an attachment pic. Sorry!! Could you provide some guidance on how to attach a pic?

OK, maybe I figured out how to attach a pic...duh!

^good looking boat!

Thank you!!

Even though the reservoir looks full the float can also get stuck at the bottom with gunk. When I changed my gear lube I always removed the resevoir and cleaned it out.

Welcome from Oklahoma! No idea as to what might be causing that warning beep unless it might be your engine temp. Mine will give one beep every minute or so if it gets above 180 and that only happened once after I trailered about 5 hours away. I suspect it created a bubble in the system, but once I throttle up the temp goes back to normal and stays there. But if I just idle around after unloading, like gassing up or loading at a dock, the temp climbs and the beeps come closer together. So if I've trailered somewhere and unload, I'm always sure to get it outside of the no wake zone and run it up for a second.

Great info, thanks everyone! Big Block Power, I will check to see if the float is stuck. Does it make sense to just get a new reservoir, etc since they are pretty inexpensive? Should I change the gear lube oil if I replace the reservoir? Is there a way to check the float without draining the reservoir or changing out all the lube oil?

When was the last time the drive lube was changed? You can make a hook tool and get down in there and check the float. I wouldn't replace it. No need unless the float or sensor is stuck.