225 Optimax

[millers5898]

My motor when I first get on the water , try coming out of hole will act like it is bogging down , then it eventually pick up and plane out good . fish for 30-45 minutes and fire up it takes off fine , anything you guys could think of causing this , I only run high test gas and always put marine treatment with every fill up

Thanks

 

[Sniperchoke]

Your not supposed to run High Test in an Opti-max only rated for 87 octane. Not sure if that is the problem though.

 

[jbh3]

You need to run 87 octane in your Opti. Some of the XS's will idle better in cold weather with 89. Running 93 is not good for your engine or your wallet. Just some things off the top of my head.... Are you pumping your primer bulb prior to the first startup? Do you allow the engine to warm up before dropping the hammer? How many hours on your plugs and filters? Are you running a de-carb product (i.e. Seafoam, Merc Quickleen, or something similar) in every tank? Any of the above can contribute to the condition you're describing. Never a bad thing to consult a good Optimax tech if you suspect a problem. Good luck!

 

[millers5898]

I have been told that you didn't have to pump the primer bulb , now I know better , 30-40 hours on plugs , filter . not running any de-carb , do I need to be ?

 

[MSBG Jake]

This could be a couple of items all of which have happened to me with my 225 opti's, if your motor is under warrenty take it in and have it checked out...like the other guys don't run anything over 87 octane...what additive are you useing??? Make sure its a marine grade...and no matter what anyone else says use mercury oil in it...if a certified mech tells you its ok to use anything else get it in writing, bottomline don't get cheap and save $10 only to spend a couple thousand on repairs...always warm the motor up before you take off first thing (let it idle for 3-5 minutes)

1. Check the fuel filter
2. Make sure your primer bulb is holding pressure
3. Lower unit...yes lower unit...if it is none of the above take it in to a mech!
4. Lose or shorting out plug wire
5. you have a ring slipping and it tightens up as you warm the motor up...again take it to a mech to make sure

just my .02 cents from my mistakes over the years....I've owned 5 of these....

Jake

 

[millers5898]

motor is always warmed before dropping the hammer , the additive is sta-bil ethonal treatment marine formula ,
thanks for the info

 

[jbh3]

Yes, you do need to run a decarb additive in addition to the Marine Sta-bil in every tank.

 

[SNUFFY]

There is a 3.0 liter Opti and Hi perf Merc forum on the BassBoatCentral where you can find out a whole lot of good info.....</p>

or you could get Wrenchin`2 to cough up some info maybe.....he`s not a big fan of the Opti but still knows a ton about them</p>

 

[stratos21xl]

your not running fuel with Ethanol in it are you? The reason I ask is a friend of mine had been and his boat was doing the exact same thing. He checked the fuel filter and there was black gunk all in it. He replaced the filter and ran the boat on a hose. It did better. He took it out and it started doing the exact same thing again. When he got it back home he pulled the filter back out and it was all gunked up again. Come to find out the Ethanol was eating the rubber off the inside of his fuel line. He said the fuel line had started to get soft. I wouldnt even run Stabil (Ethanol Treatment) in it myself. I have started using Ring Free in mine (yamaha) and I could tell a huge difference in the motor and even fuel mileage after the first treament.

 

[wrechin2]

Cough... Cough...... running the wrong octane fuel will cause a power loss.Hard to believe, but if you understand fuel octanes and ignition timing, you will understand why. What you have to remember is that the ignition timing on the engine is controlled by the computer. If you have a sensor going bad, it can cause similiar issues. Sometimes this will not set a code and will require someone who knows what they are looking at. For example, if you use a DDT scanner and the air temp sensor says that it is 64 degrees outside and it is 100 degrees out side, the engine really does not know it is a problem and because it is withing range, it sees it as normal. This will cause issues and no code. </p>

Change the fuel octane. Pump the bulb and see if the VST is low when first taking off. </p>

here is a factory service manual for a 2000200/225 opti. You can do some reading and may find what you are looking for and learn some on the manual. If you find any mistakes let me know and I can correct them in the manual. I have found several myself. If yours is a earlier model, I have the manual as well and will have to download it for you. </p>

http://www.mediafire.com/?yzyjnxkjmmz</p>

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