2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

[afishinado21]

Hello<br /><br />I have a 2000 Optimax 225 HP. Took the boat out yesterday for the first time this season. No problem starting, no problem going 5mph in the channel for 5-10 minutes. No problem throttling up to around 3500 RPM. After a few minutes @ 3500 the engine suddenly powers down to idle speed and the Check Engine light comes on. No other lights or beeps. Shifted to neutral and turned off engine. After giving it a minute tried restarting, engine started but sounded like it was about to die (very low idle), Check Engine light on, then stalls. This happened 4 more times. Let is sit for a few minutes longer while I got my seatow information out... restarted with no issues. Ran for a few more minutes @ 3500 rpm then back to the dock.<br /><br />Any ideas what could be the cause. Last season I had this problem happen intermittently a few times. More consistanly moving at idle speeds, between docks, the motor seems to hesitate almost like its going to stall. Sometimes it does when docking and shifting from forward to neutral and reverse.<br /><br />Help or information is greatly appreciated.

 

[vinney]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

Check fuel pressure and compressor pressure. Needs low pressure fuel pump. Did you add fuel stablizer to the fuel in the fall?

 

[afishinado21]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

Thanks for your reply.<br /><br />How do you check the fuel pressure and compressor pressure?<br /><br />What so you mean "needs low pressure fuel pump"?<br /><br />As per the owners manual, Full tank of fuel w/ stabilizer added in fall. Ran engine for 15 minutes to get stabilized fuel through the entire system.

 

[vinney]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

You need a fuel pressure gauge and knowledge of how fuel injection systems work. DFI engines have scan tools to help diag. this engine. The easiest thing you can check is fuel pressure. There are two schrader valves on that engine one for air pressure and the other is fuel pressure. You need to watch the fuel pressure as the engine noses over. Most common fuel pressure problem on that engine is the low pressure fuel pump.

 

[schaiss]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

Sounds like the lube alert module could be dropping your engine speed. If the fuel pump checks out, the alert module may be malfunctioning and not be firing the alarm horn but it could be dropping the engine rpm's off. To check this, the module is located on the outboard side of the port head. The purple wire is the 12 volt feed for the module,open in at the bullet connector. Run the engine up to speed.If the engine maintains WOT you have narrowed down the problem to this area. Provided the lube system is OK (oil in the lube tank w/ float sensor operational, lube pump working properly)Check all of the wires attached to the module to make sure they are all secure.If wiring is OK replacing the module would be the way to go, but a new one costs about $180. OUCH!

 

[afishinado21]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

I have a warranty on the motor so I'll need to call in a specialist.<br /><br />Vinney: Just so I know, when testing the fuel pressure, should the motor be running at speed to try and recreate the problem? If the mechanic isn't able to recreate the problem would you still expect an indication that something is wrong?<br /><br />Aquasportster: When I turn my key I wait for the audible alarm to sound before starting the motor. Doesn't that mean that the audible alarm is functioning?<br />If the lube alert is kicking in, shouldn't I get a drop in speed, with a check engine light (or one of the other lights) and the audible alarm?<br /><br />This issue has happened a hand full of times over the life of the motor(329 hours). Very intermittent and always seems to clear up by shutting down and restarting.<br /><br />Thanks for the help.

 

[vinney]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

If you are paying someone to service this engine. They need a DDT and a good fuel pressure gauge. If your guy doesn't have this equipment he is wasting your money. You can't service this engine without a scan tool and fuel pressure gauge. When we look at drivabilty problems with this engine We hook up the DDT and fuel pressure gauge and run the engine at speed. If there is twins on the boat we hook up both engines. The oil module(Red Sox) your talking about is not on the opti's. Its on EFI's and carb engines and is hook-up to one cylinder. It will drop one cylinder. On the opti oil warning is done thru the ECM. The engine will go into RPM reduction for temp. and oil problems. If the boat was rigged properly it has smart gauge or gauges or a check engine light. In the check engine light there are four smaller lights. If you don't have a smart gauge or check engine light on the dash You will never fix this engine without the DDT.

 

[afishinado21]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

Vinney<br /><br />Hopefully going to a mercury platinum certified center to get it serviced. They say the DDT should store an error code since the check engine light came on.<br /><br />The boat does NOT have the digital SmartCraft gauges but does have Mercury gauges. I believe the one you're talking about has 4 lights. I don't have the owners manual in front of me so i'm going by memory. Top light, can't remeber what it is. L/R lights are Oil light and Engine temp. Bottom light is the Check Engine Light??, this is the one that turns on when the engine powers itself down. There are no audible alarms.<br /><br />One of the service centers mentioned to check for water in the gas? The gas filter was changed before the boat was dropped in the water. The tank was topped off at the end of last season to the point where gas was leaking out the vent and it discolored the hull a bit. Stabalizer was added and run through the engine. Don't think it can be condensation build up, bad gas maybe. If it was water would I be seeing this type of issue? Maybe the gas filter sensor is detecting water and making the check engine light turn on?? This I can check myself. Let me know your thoughts.<br /><br />Your opinion... I need to get the boat to the service guy who's a few towns over, by water a good hour at cruise speed. Do you think its a problem to drive it there, shutting down the motor if/when the problem occurs then restarting, or should I not take the chance and get it towed by land instead?<br /><br />I appreciate your time and info.

 

[vinney]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

With a DFI engine(optimax) As the owner you need to know as much as you can about these engines. They require alot more service than a carbed 150 hp. That why I think you need aleast the service light on the dash. There are four lights on them. water in fuel,check engine,oil and temp. You need to help the guys fixxing these engines. Even if your at the best shop in town a little help doesn't hurt. The biggest problems we see are sensors. When the boating season is on we don't have enough time to spend on boats that we should. Thats why I said a little help doesn't hurt. I would install the service light or aleast buy one and you can install it and see whats up. The gauge is plug and play all the wires are color coded. I say install it on the dash they come in white or black. If the engine is going into RPM reduction it will have a code in the ECM and it can be retrieved by the DDT. If the dealer is scratching there head. This is what you need to do. Have them clear all codes in the ECM then You run the boat. After the engine falls on its face or goes into RPM reduction bring it back and have them review the data MAKE sure the best guy in the shop is looking over the data. The Biggest boat dealership in town usally doesn't have the best tech's. The big guys are into sale not service. Find someone who loves optimaxs engine if you don't have luck at that big dealership.

 

[Trophyboy]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

I have a 2002 135 Opti that ran great until I had annual maintenance done. Plugs, H2o pump etc. I got it back and the first time out it ran like a charm for thirty minutes out but after I shut it off for two hours it ran like crap. No alarms. I took it back...no codes on the DDT. They checked the air/fuel pressures etc and everything was fine. They coudn't get it too fail. Next time out it did the same thing after shutting down for 5 minutes. To make an already long story short...they eventually got it to fail at the shop and figured out it was the low pressure pump which was too hot too touch. NO codes ever showed on the DDT! They wanted $225 for the pump plus an hour to put it on. I found the OEM pump online for $99 and replaced it myself in 15 minutes. Its fine now!! See if the pump is really hot after you've run it for awhile

 

[vinney]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

If you read the whole thread I said the most common problem is the low pressure fuel pump. I asked you to look at your fuel pressure on your thread? As for the DDT it will leave a code for a hard falt not all problems leave codes. If you don't understand how the engine is made/works and how the systems functions YOU are beat trying to service these engines. I never said the DDT does every thing but repair the engine TOOLS/EQUIPMENT are only as good as the person/persons using them. If you took your optimax to someone who knew that engine they would have gone after the low pressure pump first or close to the first thing.We service these engines everyday Most days I like them somedays they will wear you out BUT we have never had one we could not fix. As for your engine(Bung) If they ran your engine with the fuel pressure gauge hooked up and the low pressure pump stopped working the engine would nose over and the fuel pressure would go down too. You stated that you check it. Something doesnt make sense. If they looked at the fuel pressure and found no problem then how did the low pressure fuel pump fix your problem. It sounds like someone didn't check the fuel pressure or didnt no how too.

 

[afishinado21]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

Vinney<br /><br />i haven't responsed since your May 7th Post. I got my owners manual off the boat this weekend and I DO have the Warning system - Four function gauge. Just to confirm, as per the book, I get the check engine light and No Alarm which points to Sensor, Injector, Ignition Coil,Warning horn or battery voltage. If 1 sensor fails RPM's are reduced to 3000, if 2 fail RPM's reduced to idle. <br /><br />I believe I get 1 sensor failure and the RPM's reduce to 3000, I get nervous though and shutdown the engine because I don't want to cause more damage.<br /><br />The only thing I can check in this situation is battery voltage. The book states if voltage drops below 10.4 volts engine will be limited to 3000 RPM's, if below 9.5 volts engine will be limited to idle. My cable terminals are clean and wing nuts are tight. Starting the engine on battery 1, 2 or BOTH I get normal reading between 12 an 14 volts on my Dash voltage gauge. I haven't had a chance to take a reading while running and when the problem happens. Is my dash voltage gauge good enough to check for voltage drop or should I be hooking up another device? I'm starting my 4th season on the current batteries, maybe its time for a change?<br /><br />If I can't prove the batteries are the problem then I have an appointment with a platium mercury service center this weekend. I hope they'll be able to find the cause and get me going quick.

 

[vinney]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

Have the DDT hooked up to the engine and water test it till it acts up. Don't guess use the tools. I agree its a sensor. The Most problematic sensor on that engine is the TPS. Throttle position sensor. They have new style ones. The new ones have a green dot on them. I still would run the engine with the DDT.

 

[afishinado21]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

Here is an update for anyone interested. I spoke to the mechanic earlier today through a crappy cell connection. Will try to explain to the best of my understanding.<br /><br />Ran boat with mechanic and DDT hooked up last weekend. Needed to clear all error codes in engine to clear errors over the last 3 years.<br /><br />Took about 1 hour of running before the problem happened, sudden power loss with Check engine Light. DDT showed iginition coil failure on bank 1,3 & 5. Mechanic explained to me that these motors were wired with 2 ground fault wires, one for cylinders 1,3,5 the other for 2,4,6. If 1 ignition coil fails it will show a problem accross all 3. This time I kept motor running in Forward at idle. The problem cleared up after a few minutes and the Check engine light went off.<br /><br />Today the mechanic removed all engine coils to clean and check ground wire under each ignition coil to make sure it was touching bare metal and replaced 1 ignition coil. Also explained he swapped the ground fault wires between the 2 banks of cylinders. I believe this was to see that if the problem happens again, and the DDT shows errors on the 2nd Bank of Cylinders (2,4,6), he can narrow down to ground problem??<br /><br />In addition he replaced my NGK plugs with a new set. He said mercury they've seen 1 bad plug cause all sorts of wacky problems to occur. I've been running these plugs for about 200 hours and was under the impression I could use them multiple seasons, on account of cost and durability. My mechanic said they should be replaced every year regardless. Also mentioned the ones in the motor looked bad.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm suppose to use the Sh-t out of the boat this weekend to see if the problem happens again since he had a 1 out of 3 guess on which was the faulty ignition coil.<br /><br />Hope the above makes sense. If anyone has comments let me know. I'll keep updating if something relevant happens.

 

[2springers26]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

just a couple of things... I also work on opti's.... vinnie is going In the right dirrection for advise... spark plugs,,,If the Small Wire tip( electrode) has a white spot on the tip it's good.. Make sure your battery Is GOOD & a GOOD ONE..... If your motor is in gaurdian you have a major failure... the ddt will give you a ton of info if the tech understands the tool& the info it gives you....

 

[vinney]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

I recommend that thoses(opti's)spark plug be replaced every 50 hours and clean and regap them every 25 hours. The coil failure many not be the coil failing but a bad spark plug wire or a hole blown thru the spark plug boot or a bad spark plug. When the spark plugs are changed remove the spark plug wires and look them over. The make and updated set of wire with red spark plug boots. Wire tie the spark plug wires so they don't touch the block. If you been chasing bad spark plugs all this time you need to find a new shop that knows these engines. We serviced (6) 225 opti's today and when we were done they all ran and turned the RPM's. Its not how big the shop is.Its the knowlege of the product.

 

[afishinado21]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

hey guys<br /><br />Ran the boat for a few hours this weekend, no issues, ran perfectly. If anything, it seems to be idling around 100-150 RPM less than before. I stalled a couple of times when putting in gear.<br /><br />Since I do the beginning and end of season maintenance myself my mechanic took for granted that I change to new plugs every season. Since I started running the NGK's I thought I could use the plugs for at least 2-3 seasons. I always check to see that the electrode is white and not wore down. Mercury shipped the motor with the $2 champions which I'll never understand. <br /><br />In any case, I'll be sure to include a new set of plugs to my checklist in the Spring from now on.<br /><br />Also, I don't have the pleasure of a local Mercury Certifided shop in my marina. The mechanic I use is personally certifified and contracts himself out to marina's in the area. In the rare case that I need his assistance he'll clear some time and make a house call for me personally. He only hooked up the DDT once, cleared the error codes and waited for the problem to reappear. Diagnosed it, and hopefully the issue is fixed.<br />He may not work 24/7 on Opti's exclusively but does have the certification and calls Mercury if something stumps him.<br /><br />Thank you for the advice which helps me to understand my motor a little better.

 

[vinney]

Re: 2000 Optimax 225, sudden power loss

Look on your throttle position sensor. Look to see what color is on one or both of them. If its yellow there the old ones. The new ones have a green dot on them that will help your idle problems. NGK only in that engine. Most of your problems were those spark plugs you were running. I would still check the spark plug wires the bottom ones get hurt the most #5 and #6 cylinders.