1998 135 optimax

[John's 19.6 CC]

My 1998 opti wont plane off or accelerate past about 2600 rpm. I changed the fuel water seperator, it was full of crud, I also changed the filter seperator on the motor, and the gas line to the motor as well as the spark plugs. I put her in the lake for a test yesterday, the boat doesnt start as easily as it has in the past, it did start, I was able to plane off and accelerate past 3000 rpm's once, then it began to sputter again. I still have no audible alarm codes going off. Any ideas what else I could check before I take her to the shop?
Thanks.
John.

 

[herb boughn]

Re: 1998 135 optimax

First of all you are screwed. Mercury themselves do not know how to fix most of Optimax problems. I got one that was a factory reject, ie wouldn't pass 15 minute run test. Guess what ? They boxed it up and sent it to Iowa for me to buy. Didn't catch until I'd had it for a month. Now they expect a local guy who has mastered lawn mower engines to fix what the factory couldn't.

 

[John's 19.6 CC]

Re: 1998 135 optimax

First of all you are screwed. Mercury themselves do not know how to fix most of Optimax problems. I got one that was a factory reject, ie wouldn't pass 15 minute run test. Guess what ? They boxed it up and sent it to Iowa for me to buy. Didn't catch until I'd had it for a month. Now they expect a local guy who has mastered lawn mower engines to fix what the factory couldn't.

Huh? I have had this motor for three years and it has performed flawlessly until now. If anything I neglected to do or have some routine maintainance done in the past. I'm taking it to a mercury authorized shop today. Sorry bout you're luck.