2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times (now with video)

[zam88]

I have a strange starting problem with my engine, this takes awhile to tell, so hear me out.

Engine installed in 2008.

Stored in dry storage, used on inland lake.

When I goto launch the boat, it always starts beautifully and will operate great the entire day.

However, when I keep the boat in the lake overnight, the next day (mainly if it is cooler in the morning) often I will either have a problem starting the boat, or I will get it started and then about 1-5 minutes later it will just quit on me and not start back up.

Fuel and oil levels always test normal.

The engine makes an attempt to start, but never gets to the point where it is attempting to turn over.

This problem is immediately solved by taking the cowling off, and then putting it back on.. essentially doing not much. The engine will start with teh cowling off.

But it won't get back started unless at a minimum I remove the cowling.

I don't get it. The engine shop that has worked on it can't figure it out.

Any thoughts? anything?

HERE is a clip of the problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th5Dh-UK_So
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlAUDqvEzVA

 

[Dave1027]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Maybe the cowling is pushing on wiring connections that are intermittent?

Also to add, you should take this to different shop. The one you are dealing with obviously are incompetent. I see a lot of charlatans masquerading as boat mechanics.

 

[zam88]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Maybe the cowling is pushing on wiring connections that are intermittent?

Also to add, you should take this to different shop. The one you are dealing with obviously are incompetent. I see a lot of charlatans masquerading as boat mechanics.

that's definitely a possibility.. intermittent connections... hmm.. but why does this only happen after the boat spends the night on the lake as opposed to the dry storage?


I feel generally pretty good about these boat mechanics.. they've done a lot for me in the past and done pretty well.

It's a heck of a problem since it can't be recreated, except by me.

 

[Dave1027]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

I think the humidity of the lake can make a bad connection.

 

[zam88]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

I think the humidity of the lake can make a bad connection.

But I've been on this lake for years, and this never happened to my previous engine.

What in the world do I do about it?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Because this happens to your current engine has absolutely no bearing on the fact that it never happened on your previous engine. The very fact that you remove the cover to start the engine says there is "physical interference problem" and a competent tech should be able to find it. Moisture or condensation is also apparent in the overnight situation which should also not be a big issue to locate as the two problems are very likely related. Fix one and the other will likely be resolved as well.

 

[zam88]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Because this happens to your current engine has absolutely no bearing on the fact that it never happened on your previous engine. The very fact that you remove the cover to start the engine says there is "physical interference problem" and a competent tech should be able to find it. Moisture or condensation is also apparent in the overnight situation which should also not be a big issue to locate as the two problems are very likely related. Fix one and the other will likely be resolved as well.

Thank you for this reply.

I'm not a marine tech in any way, and I don't really know how to assess the skills of the shop that I work with other than to say that I've been treated fairly well over the years.

I kind of get their troubles because the problem never occurs on land (thus the connections would test out fine)

and furthermore even if I did call them out to meet me on the water when I was down, any testing they would do would include removing the cowling, which then fixes the problem.


I'm in a line of work where I solve problems for people too, a health related field. If I can't replicate someone's problems, and my diagnostic tools don't show me anything, then I'm just guessing.


How do I work with a tech on this before just giving up and trying another tech out?

I mean, they're working on it... just no problem being solved yet.


the latest update is that they are going to replace the wiring harness... we'll see how that goes

 

[speed toy]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Maybe the cowling is pushing on wiring connections that are intermittent?

Also to add, you should take this to different shop. The one you are dealing with obviously are incompetent. I see a lot of charlatans masquerading as boat mechanics.

i had the same problem with my 50 and that was it

 

[zam88]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

i had the same problem with my 50 and that was it

really you had the same problem? This pretty much exact problem?


What exactly did they do for you?

 

[zam88]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times

any other thoughts?

 

[zam88]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times (now with video)

HERE is a clip of the problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th5Dh-UK_So
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlAUDqvEzVA

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times (now with video)

Next time it does this just turn key to on and listen for the electric fuel pump. The lifting of the cowling is moving/jarring a ground on it or the ECU brackets..

 

[zam88]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times (now with video)

Next time it does this just turn key to on and listen for the electric fuel pump. The lifting of the cowling is moving/jarring a ground on it or the ECU brackets..

What does ECU mean?

 

[will941s]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times (now with video)

Electronic Control Unit, the silver box that you disconnected and reconnected the wire to. I noticed you put some grease on that connection. Think about what the cover may touch when it's installed. Maybe, zip tie the wires closer to the powerhead, keep then from touching the coweling...try that. Take your electrical connections loose one by one, make sure the rubber gaskets in the connections are in place and sealing, while you have them off put a good coat of electrical grease on them. Look inside you coweling for rub marks where somethings been touching it. It's something simple, your losing a connection somewhere when it's installed.

 

[chum1]

Re: 2008 Optimax 150HP quits running on me at weird times (now with video)

you may have your girlfriend/wife crank the motor while you jiggle the connections one wire at a time with the cover off, most likely a bad wire connection, loose butt splice,broken wire, bad crimp, corrosion. If it has the big pig tail that plugs in i would suspect that connection first.