98 OptiMax warning light question

davescountry

Cadet
Joined
Apr 4, 2008
Messages
20
All -

First, thanks in advance for the advice.

I have a 1998 135 OptiMax. I have been out about 3 or 4 times this year. I tend to do mostly fishing, so more often than not by driving tends to be more cruising around. I'd say 2/3 of my driving is at half throttle or less.

Last weekend i was out fishing on a pretty stumpy lake. I was at a very low idle, in fact I may even have been in nuetral. As I was making a turn, I think I may have possible come across a stump or something. I felt my motor buck and then die. This was the slightest bump and like I said, I may even have been in nuetral, that how slow i was going.

I fished for a bit, then took off for another part of the lake. After about 10 minutes at 1/3 throttle, I opened it up and right away my Oil/Heat warning light went off. I backed into neutral and shut down immediatly. I would say it was a solid tone, but I backed off and shut down pretty quick.

I double checked my oil reservoir, and would say its about 2/3 full. (I don't know what kind of oil is in there as I bought the boat the reservoir was full, but have been running it quite a bit just fine).

I started back up and drove around a while more. I can't say for sure that I ever opened it up all the way, or that I even drove it as long. Either way, the light never came back on again.

When I pulled out late, I checked the prop and lower end for signs of obvious damage and didn't see any.

Any ideas about this?

I don't know if I have a problem, or a problem getting ready to happen or if this was just some fluke as a result of possible hitting the prop on something. Clearly I'd like to prevent something from getting worse, so if there is a likely problem I'd rather try and fix it now instead of letting it get worse.

I probably need to change my water pump, since I haven't this year. I need to do some research on that and get some good detailed instructions since I haven't done that before.

Any thoughts are well appreciated.
 

jc77240

Cadet
Joined
Jun 21, 2009
Messages
7
Re: 98 OptiMax warning light question

I have a 98 135 optimax as well, this weekend had a similar incident:
After a full day of skiing, the temp light came on while running at low speed. The engine was "peeing" OK, however I decided to shut it down and let it cool down. I opened the cowling and to my surprise the engine was "cool" where I could actually touch the block (As you would test an iron). After 15 minutes of cooling, started it, ran for about 5 minutes and then it came back on. At this point, I had to run back to the marina (about 3 miles away) at 1500 - 2000 RPM. Then once at the marina, shut her down and by the time they came to pick me up with the trailer, ran the engine and warning light magically dissapeared!! So had to take boat in to dealer, will replace water pump impeller, plugs, filters, tune up.
I am thinking faulty sensors or thermostat. Go yo youtube and search for mercury impeller, there is a great video from a guy in Miami. This is the link, it should work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-uzQi7IgwU
Does your engine start easily? mine gives trouble every time the first time of the day, after the first start of the day is ok.
Good luck in your impeller change.
 
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