2010 Optimax 115 starts, runs 2 secs, then dies

[apenland01]

My buddy has a 2010 Optimax 115 that sat for about a year and they got stranded on the lake last weekend.

Prior to going out, they put fresh gas in and charged the battery. It probably has about 50 hours or so on it, as it isn't routinely used. He said the engine fired off at the ramp and ran great until they got close to their fishing spot. They got about 4 miles down the lake and it shut off while they were idling into a cove. They tried to start it again, but it would only start and run for about 2-3 seconds and die. The next day, I went to look at it and it was doing the same thing on the muffs.

I advised he replace all the fuel line from the tanks to the bulb, get a new mercury bulb, and replace line to the pulse fuel pump. This made no difference.

We used my spanner tool and removed the fuel/VST filter and it looked pretty good, no debris or anything noticed.

Air compressor belt seemed maybe slightly loose to me, but looked brand new. I don't know how tight it should be.

I sent Rhonda an email requesting a pulse fuel pump rebuild kit, new fuel/VST filter and new air compressor belt, although I don't know if any of those items will help with this issue.

I was not on the boat when this happened, so not sure of exact chain of events, but I assisted them after my tournament was over.

Any other tips on troubleshooting this problem???

SN 1B821731
2010 Optimax 115 with about 50-75 hours

[JOE54]

sounds like your on the right track fuel delivery/psi

[apenland01]

No answer from Rhonda on email for the parts. Hope to have them by Friday, so we can get the repairs done by Friday night. Is parts@europeanmarine.org still the best way to order parts?

[SilverFox579]

Correct email address, they're really busy this time of year, am sure they'll get back to you.

[apenland01]

Rhonda got back to me today, but expedited shipping is stupid expensive, so going with regular Priority Mail.....

[JOE54]

yes it is

[apenland01]

I wasn't thinking about the shop being closed on Sunday, so Rhonda's response time was good considering I ordered on a Sunday evening. The parts have shipped and the overall service by European Marine was excellent....

[SilverFox579]

I wasn't thinking about the shop being closed on Sunday, so Rhonda's response time was good considering I ordered on a Sunday evening. The parts have shipped and the overall service by European Marine was excellent....

I get all my service parts from them, nothing but the best, always.

[apenland01]

Rebuilt pulse fuel pump, replaced fuel filter and air compressor belt. No change. Still flares on startup, then dies. What next, other than take it to a dealer or Mercury tech?

[EuropeanAM]

Unless you have the ability to monitor air/fuel pressures with glycerin-dampened gauges, you'll probably need to seek some hands-on assistance.

Watch for air pressure dropping rapidly as it dies (if so, you may have a loose reed in the air compressor).

[apenland01]

Okay, thank you Don. I guess he will need to find a tech. Our local Mercury guy just sold his shop, so it may be a chore to get some diagnostic help....

[apenland01]

What are the target fuel and air pressures for this Optimax 115?

[EuropeanAM]

94/108 (+/- 1 psi)

[apenland01]

Thanks!

[apenland01]

Our local Mercury tech is closing shop, but is still in the process of clearing things out. I ran a Diacom report, printed it and took in for him to look at and give me some advice. He looked at a couple pages, asked a couple questions and said to test the upper schrader valve on the rail, which is fuel. The instructions were "connect pressure gauge, turn key on and listen for fuel pump and watch gauge. Should hit 40, then drop to 20 and hold stable for a bit when it stops running. Report back on what you see"....





After the initial pressurization, it hit 18 and then fell off right away. Tech says the sleeve on the high pressure fuel pump is cracked and needs replaced. Sleeve is replaced and engine is running fine now. Initial Diacom report is below for anyone interested. Not sure if it's helpful, but the tech said he saw an 11 year old engine with 57 total hours and said it's almost always that rubber sleeve here in the desert when the engine sits unused for long periods of time....

[JOE54]

[apenland01]

I also want to give Rhonda and Don a lot of credit in getting parts quickly and correctly! These guys are awesome to work with and I'll be using them for as long as they continue doing what they do.

Thanks Rhonda and Don!