Optimax Oil Pump Prime Procedure

[sidenberg]

Guess I need to replace the oil pump in my 2000 Mercury Optimax 150 due to small leak around electrical connection. In priming the pump do I move the throttle handle 3 times forward with it in gear or should it be in neutral?

 

[sidenberg]

Re: Optimax Oil Pump Prime Procedure

Is it absolutely necesary or just recommended to manually pressurize the onboard oil tank while priming the oil pump?

 

[Don S]

Re: Optimax Oil Pump Prime Procedure

You don't want to use the 3 times shift lever method, that will also reset the break in period of the motor.

Below are the procedures, you want to use Method 3 on page 7 below.

View attachment 3c.pdf

 

[sidenberg]

Re: Optimax Oil Pump Prime Procedure

I don't have one of those tools unfortunately.

 

[Don S]

Re: Optimax Oil Pump Prime Procedure

It would probably be a good idea to have your local Merc dealer do it for you. Or just do it by method #1 and expect some extra smoke and oil use for the break in period.

 

[sidenberg]

Re: Optimax Oil Pump Prime Procedure

I don't mind going through the break in period. The Merc dealer is not very close to me. So do you think manually pressurizing the oil lines during priming is not really necessary? My Seloc manual says Mercury recommends it but also says Mercury does not recommend it for the Optimax 135 concluding it may not be absolutely necessary. I just called a outboard mechanic here locally that says he has a scan tool and thinks he can activate the prime sequence for $95. Is this a good idea or is this best left to an authorized Mercury dealer mechanic?