[Ross]

Hi Everyone, Wondering if anyone can help me out? I have a 2001 Diablo 181 with a 4.3 Mercruiser. The boat has only done 103hrs and is still in fantastic condition, however, I have 2 issues.

1) Rev counter is not working...Is there anyway to test or trouble shot what the problem might be?
2) Depth gage, This is intermittent and sometimes works then other times it doesn't have a reading....I have tried playing with the modes and resetting it but it doesn't resolve the problem...Once again, is there any checks that i can perform before i take it to a shop?

Also - Does anyone know of anyone in the UK that makes swin Platforms for this boat, or anyone selling a second hand platform in the UK?

Thanks in advance.

[ShabahZ280]

Hi Ross, and welcome to the board.

1. Your tach may need to be checked out by a service shop. If it's behaving erratically, (ie reading much higher than it should, or bouncing around) you can service it yourself, but as far as anything else goes, I'd get it checked out. Faria, the gauge manufacturer has a warranty on their products and they will send you a brand new matching one for a small fee. Keep that in mind if the service shop tries to sell you a replacement.

2. Sounds to me as if your depth gauge transducer has come loose from the epoxy it was mounted with. I've had the same issue before. The transducer is a black "hockey puck" mounted inside the hull under the engine in the bilge area. If you can get access to it, and it moves around freely, then that's your problem. You will need to remount it using slow-cure epoxy. Search around on here for more detailed instructions, it's a fairly common problem.

Good luck, hope this helps, and keep us updated.

[Ross]

Hi Shabah and thanks for the reply.

1)The tach doesn't move at all, stays at zero with no fluctuations.....Do you know where this would be plugged into the engine just in case it has come undone? Thanks for the info on the warranty, i wasn't aware of this and could’ve cost me.

2)I will look into this tonight and if its loose i will order some epoxy as you recommended...as well as look on here for more info as to solve it.

Thank you very much for the information and i will be sure to keep you posted.

[Andy b]

Hi Ross, from a fellow UK Diablo owner
if your transducer is mounted in a ring like the one in my boat then it may be an oil bath transducer.
if so just add some oil insider the ring. (about half full) then screw the transducer back in and it'll work fine...

[Ross]

Thanks Andy, I checked the transducer last night and the epoxy has come away a little and i can tilt it to one side where it has come unstuck so presumed this is the issue, however, your suggestion has me thinking :-)

With regards to it being an oil bath transducer, i have never heard of this before until you mentioned it...i will have to check again tonight to see if it unscrews but from memory it look sealed. As Shabah has mentioned previously the transducer i have looks like a hockey puck stuck to the boat with a smaller tube coming out of the top with a wire. If it does need more oil and it unscrews, what oil can i use?
Thanks again Andy

[Andy b]

your welcome Ross
oil bath transducers do seem to be quite rare! i'l have to shoot up some pictures of mine.
BTW where about's in the UK are you?

[Ross]

A picture would be good to see, Hopefully the epoxy i ordered will arrive tomorrow and i can have a go at sticking in down.
I am in Essex and a member at Home - The Stone Watersports Club, they can also be found on Facebook. We go out on the River Blackwater.
Where are you based in the UK?

[Andy b]

Originally Posted by Ross

A picture would be good to see, Hopefully the epoxy i ordered will arrive tomorrow and i can have a go at sticking in down.
I am in Essex and a member at Home - The Stone Watersports Club, they can also be found on Facebook. We go out on the River Blackwater.
Where are you based in the UK?

Just outside Southampton on the edge of the New Forest.
I do most of my boating in and around the Solent

[Andy b]

Here's the pictures of my oil bath transducer,
Took the opportunity to re slick the ring down today as it's been leaking away the oil and I keep forgetting to top it up until it starts flashing 0.0

[luke7575]

I have the same problem im going to look into this, thanks for the pics