Optimax help

[Flygaff]

I have twin 135 HP Optis on my 25 CC Ranger. Last year I had water in the fuel that just screwed up everything. After a month trying to fix it myself I had the boat hauled to D&R Boats in Green Brook. I had them do the repair that included pumping out the tank, changing out the high and low pressure fuel pumps changing all the filters and the winterizing and storing the boat for the season. $3800.00 bill. When I tried to use the boat yesterday all the problems are still there even thou they claimed that it pass all Dyno tests. The engine start and idle fine. As soon as they get a load they buck and stall. I get to 1800 rpm and then dead. No warning lights or anything. Any suggestions would be appreciated .

[BWhaler23]

I feel your pain! I have the same engines on my 23' whaler... haven't had the problems your having, but they seem to be finicky to diagnose and alot of techs seem to have problems servicing them... and the price for parts are out of sight... told the rep that I'll be buying susukis, or yamahas as soon as possible.

Good Luck

Capt. Pat

[Mark215]

What year are the opti's. I've read online and experienced my own problems with these engines. Our boat had 1999 engines and the previous owner had good amount of hours on them without any issues until one day and problems just started. Had a really good merc guy come down and look at them and he advised us not to sink anymore $$$$$ into them. They seem to have a lot of problems with these engines in the late 90s.

[Flygaff]

They are 2000s purchased new in 04. I have just over 300 hours on them. They ran great until the water intrusion. Both fuel rails were replaced three years ago under warranty. I am hauling the boat this week with the hope the computers will show something.

[Mark215]

Good luck , hope everything works out for you.

[reefsquater]

I had a 1999 with fuel issues, paid two mechanics and still had issues.

Two things from my experience, the fuel lines need to all be replaced. We all know about ethanol. Seems like even the little lines will eventually give up small parts that will clog or semi clog injectors. Have you replaced every line from the tank through the entire system?

I was also getting a vapor lock when run hot and then turned off for while. I could never get that entirely resolved (but found ways to deal with it)

BTW, I am done with 2 stroke efi motors. Too finicky

[irishc]

I repowered my old boat in 2006 with a new 175 hp opti... Worst engine I ever owned, constant problems from the day it came out of the box. If at all possible, cut your losses and get rid of them.

[Bad dog]

Blackfoot marine in atlantic highlands. By far the best mercury mechanic around.

[Capt. Debbie]

The best around for Mercury O/B's and has been for YEARS is Anglers in Sea Sea Bright.

I don't know about the newer guys. Could be good too?

Also your repowering guy may not be all he was cracked up to be. It takes some tweaking to truly set up an OB out of a crate.

[Flygaff]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The repairs have been done and it goes back the it's slip in Leonardo Monday.

[Gerry Zagorski]

There are issues with most high pressure 2 stroke engines in the 99 - 2001 class outboards.... All the manufactures rushed to get them to market to conform with the new emmission standards and they were all blowing power heads like mad.

Evenrude had 2 stoke Ficht - no longer available and replaced with Etec

Mercury had 2 stroke Optimax - now they are pushing Verado 4 strokes

Yamaha had 2 stroke HDPI and they are now pushing 4 strokes.

Just check out the used boat listings with the motors listed above and you will see they are selling on the cheap for the reasons above.

I would steer clear of any of these motors and if I happened to have one and had a failure I would cut my losses and repower with a different motor rather then sink more money into them. If you can't afford new power and want to save some money I would consider repowering with with the straight older technology EFI 2 strokes (non pressure injected).

[hammer4reel]

I have an 07 Opti 225 with 1030 hours on it. First issue I have had with it was the shift selector switch not show the trans was In gear and putting it into safe mode.
was a 37 dollar part.
while checking that over I saw the compressor bearing had alot of play in it.
figured was best to change it out now instead of break down on the water.
800 bucks.

Other than that it has run great for me, and I push it hard.

I think using the Opti oil, while expensive has helped me have alot less issues than those using cheaper 2 stroke oil

[Flygaff]

I seem to have the problem solved. The fuel lines had broken down and just fouled everything up. They now seem to run great again. But there is always something. I now have one of my primer balls sucking down and shutting off the fuel supply. I think it may be more fuel line crud getting into my flow scan. This weeks project. I really need to get it perfect before a shark run

[Suckafish]

Who did u end up using I have mercurys and just got them and need good mechanics in case of problems

[Gerry Zagorski]

Fly - If you're still having issues, first place I would look is the fuel lines.

I had a buddy that was struggling with a simialr issue and it turned out to be a 6 inch piece of fuel line he negelcted to replace. That section of line would collapse and cut off his fuel.

The other thing that could cause fuel flow issues is the tank not being vented properly. One simple way to test it is to run the boat with the fuel fill open.

If all else fails, one way to see if its your tank and lines are the issue is to run the engines off protable tanks. If they run fine off the prtables, then you know the issue isn't your engine.