desperately need someone that knows about outboard motors!!

[oonighttrain]

anyone know anything about outboards???????

long story short: can a malfunctioning ignition swith cause the engine to run like crap??? its a merc 225 optimax (fuel injected 2 stroke)...

 

[theultrarider]

Not sure about the ignition switch, but they have temp sensors and low oil snesors that will throw them into limp mode just like a poo sled does when a temp sensor goes bad.

 

[snopropanther]

what year.

my neighbors optimax was a total pos until he got a new comp and temp sensor in it. dealer was a douch about it and wouldnt listen to him when he knew what the problem was. 10 trips later and a threat to sue it was fixed.

 

[oonighttrain]

what year.

my neighbors optimax was a total pos until he got a new comp and temp sensor in it. dealer was a douch about it and wouldnt listen to him when he knew what the problem was. 10 trips later and a threat to sue it was fixed.

its a 2000

 

[snopropanther]

same as his.

when it runs like crap is it when you are going wide open or almost wide open?

 

[oonighttrain]

no, it will die at idle and miss like heck has a hard time getting up on plane..

 

[theultrarider]

I have to ask the obvious... fresh fuel and fresh plugs? Had you read the plugs? Do you have one bad cylinder or are they all bad?

 

[MACH]

I have to ask the obvious... fresh fuel and fresh plugs? Had you read the plugs? Do you have one bad cylinder or are they all bad?

I was going to ask the same thing.

My dads 150 merc did the same thing. Damn thing would miss and be a dog out of the hole. I think he changed the plugs and fuel filter and it ran like a raped ape after that.

When was the last time you replaced the plugs? My uncle who is a tournament guy always had plug issues with his 275 Optimax. Not saying it is your problem, but I would think from the sound it is either your plugs fuel filter or the fuel itself.

 

[Mafesto]

If you can, have someone else drive while you spray carb cleaner into intake.
If engine increases in RPM it is likely a fuel problem.
ONLY do this if you can do it safely.


Also, use a temp sensor gun to read individual cylinder temps to see if a certain cylinder is a consistant problem.

 

[triple]

I'm thinking the ignition switch is either a go or no go deal. It shouldn't have anything to do with the way the engine runs. If it's bad, it shouldn't start at all.

 

[Weekday Warrior]

CDI went out on my merc, ran on one cylinder, wouldn't get on plane etc general crappy running and hard to start.

replaced the CDI and it ran fantastic, now I got a coil going out as it has a dead hole intermittanly

ya I threw in multiple sets of plugs in case one was bad.

 

[oonighttrain]

was serviced about 10 hours ago.. plugs, fuel/water seperator.. etc..

fawkin thing ran fine last week.. now its like a bad connection at the ignition switch. it takes numerous cycles of the key to actually engage the starter and it runs like sh!t...

 

[theultrarider]

They just worked on the motor....loose or broken ground wire?

 

[penguinpoo]

Is the battery fully charged? Are the battery cable connections clean and tight(not just hand tight)?

 

[MACH]

was serviced about 10 hours ago.. plugs, fuel/water seperator.. etc..

fawkin thing ran fine last week.. now its like a bad connection at the ignition switch. it takes numerous cycles of the key to actually engage the starter and it runs like sh!t...

Why do you think they call mercury welfare motors. It is black and doesn't want to work.

 

[SEAKM8]

Check your battery and connections They have to have a good battery and connections.

 

[MARV1]

Yes, loose or shorting connectors will let it run like crap. Check the battery connections on the batter and where they connect on the outboard. Those early Optimax's needed a newer oil pump and air pump.