Looking for some advice on optimax

[vangoalie]

Looking for advice on optimax

I have a 2006 optimax saltwater 115 with just under 300 hours on it. It has run great for the last 10 years I have owned it for, this year I took it out last weekend to the first time in 6 months and it wouldn’t get over 2500rpm under load. I took it in and 8.5 hours later and a $300 ignition coil it is repaired for now but they tell me my diaphragms in the fuel rail are starting to show aging but ok for now, Apparently I have a fuel rail part # 880037T03 and apparently you cannot just buy the diaphragms for this fuel rail, the replacement is part #8M0185151 which they suggest I get and to start looking at repower in the future. My questions are is my motor too old, in my mind and order with 300 hours is barely broken and maybe I’m wrong. Is there anywhere to get diaphragms for the original part or do I really need to replace the whole fuel rail at a price over $2000 just for the part? Does anybody have any other advice for me? I’m already $1900 into one ignition coil but love the motor and love the boat and don’t really want to make a change. Appreciate any advice thank you. Thanks again. 

 

[scott craven]

You could look for a used fuel rail, someone on the forum might even have something?
If it was me I would start looking at a newer motor before throwing significant money at a repair.

 

[wolf]

the whole fuel rail at a price over $2000 just for the part?

that was about the same when I did mine , you do know boat means "bring out another thousand"

 

[vangoalie]

You could look for a used fuel rail, someone on the forum might even have something?
If it was me I would start looking at a newer motor before throwing significant money at a repair.

Thanks Scott, wouldn’t newer motor still require similar maintenance? If it is just a fuel rail would this not make sense and keep going? Thanks for your advice

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

Depending on the age of the Motor this might just be first in a long line of repairs it needs. Low hours just means it’s been sitting around most of its life and in my opinion that’s worse for the motor than running it.

 

[vangoalie]

Just curious, what happens when a diaphragm fails? thanks

 

[Sailfish25]

As a recovering Optimax owner, this forum was invaluable for mainting my twin 200 Opti’s.

https://www.bbcboards.net/forumdisplay.php?f=7

The user on there “EuropeanAM” is a Mercury master technician and runs a business that specializes in repairing and cleaning the Optimax high-pressure fuel system. Very good reputation and his website has a good description of everything.

Might be worth considering this option instead of trying to source new.

Personally I bought a third engine that I used for parts. I also cleaned my fuel rails, diaphragms and all air and fuel injectors every winter myself. That was the key to keeping the Opti happy.

 

[Sailfish25]

Just curious, what happens when a diaphragm fails? thanks

It just won’t run. It’s a very simple engine with an extremely complicated fuel system. If anything on that fuel system is off even a bit, that won’t run

 

[salmonkiller01]

As a recovering Optimax owner, this forum was invaluable for mainting my twin 200 Opti’s.

https://www.bbcboards.net/forumdisplay.php?f=7

The user on there “EuropeanAM” is a Mercury master technician and runs a business that specializes in repairing and cleaning the Optimax high-pressure fuel system. Very good reputation and his website has a good description of everything.

Might be worth considering this option instead of trying to source new.

Personally I bought a third engine that I used for parts. I also cleaned my fuel rails, diaphragms and all air and fuel injectors every winter myself. That was the key to keeping the Opti happy.

Great advise on the repair option. You can also buy diaphrams on eBay

 

[scott craven]

Thanks Scott, wouldn’t newer motor still require similar maintenance? If it is just a fuel rail would this not make sense and keep going? Thanks for your advice

Not if you were to upgrade to a 4 Stroke.
Regular maintenance would apply to all motors.