2000 225 optimal problems?

I have been posting this issue over in the setup section but i think this is a better place to discuss what my problems are. I recently bought a 2000 520 vx with a 225 optimax on it, no jack plate. I've been working on getting the boat setup since last monday. It came with a 4 blade trophy plus on it and ran 62, 63 mph at about 5350 rpm. I figured, well 25 4 blade is a bit big, it needs a 25 3 blade and i'm in business. I bought a 25 Tempest plus, put it on and the result is very close to the same. It did do 64 mph once and it might have hit 5400 rpm a few times but, pretty much ran the same as with the 4 blade. Obviously something is wrong under the hood. to give you some background, the boat has sat for about 2 years. It had 3/4 tank on one side and probably 1/2 in the other. I filled both tanks and put a double shot of quick kleen in and figured it just needs run. I emptied 1 tank, refilled it with high test and another 6 ounces of q/k and it still runs the same. I checked the plugs and they seem fairly clean.
Things I've noticed, even if you over trim it the rpms won't go over 5400. Also if you hit the trim switch in either direction it seems to loss power, like its starving for voltage.... It doesn't kill the motor it just looses a few rpm. It has a new battery in it but the battery is only 500 cranking amp. could this be the problem?

1. Do not run premium fuel.
2. You should have drained al the old gas and started with fresh.
3. Pull the fuel filter and inspect for debris, like pieces of fuel line.
4. The battery requirement is a MINIMUM of 1000 cranking amps. Save youself some headaches and go get a Sears PM1.
5. Your running a Ranger which is a heavy boat. A jackplate would enable you to raise the motor for optimum performance and the setback would definitely help with bow lift.
6. Probably best to have an annual with a good old fashion inspection done on it.

Good Luck and enjoy you new toy,

You need a 23". Pitch is pitch whether it is a 4 blade or 3 blade for the most part.

I have a 1000 MCA interstate battery to put in it. I also borrowed a 23p prop from a friend of mine just to see if I can get the RPMs up over 5350 at all. I think getting the rpms up for a few runs will help clear it out. I'm going to get new plugs today as well. I'll keep you posted as this goes along.

Ok, I took it out with just the battery changed and as expected, no change. Then I changed plugs out and started in the driveway with the muffs on and it still idles rough. Ill take it out tomorrow and let you know but I'd say it'll be the same. I'm starting to think it's a bad injector or something. The plugs I took out all looked about the same. The 2 bottom plugs were just a little bit dirtier than the other 4. Starting to get a little PO'ed

Did you pull the fuel filter or inspect the fuel lines? Do a search and you'll be amazed.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Shef &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">1. Do not run premium fuel.
2. You should have drained al the old gas and started with fresh.
3. Pull the fuel filter and inspect for debris, like pieces of fuel line.
4. The battery requirement is a MINIMUM of 1000 cranking amps. Save youself some headaches and go get a Sears PM1.
5. Your running a Ranger which is a heavy boat. A jackplate would enable you to raise the motor for optimum performance and the setback would definitely help with bow lift.
6. Probably best to have an annual with a good old fashion inspection done on it.

Good Luck and enjoy you new toy,

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+1 on ALL of the above.

To add to the above, PLEASE read the following post CAREFULLY, and ensure that ALL ITEMS RECOMMENDED are addressed on your rig:

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerot...first

Additionally, it's highly likely that you have injector problems as much as this boat has "sat". Very wise to remove fuel rails, fuel injectors, and direct injectors, and have them PROFESSIONALLY cleaned/serviced. A lean running engine or cylinder WILL NOT LAST LONG.....

http://www.europeanmarine.org/injectorservice.html

Well I got the motor fixed. It turns out it was the air pressure diaphram. There was a hole in it and it was getting fuel in the air pressure side. Boat still is only running just over 5400 rpm but it seems to be running right. Idles smooth as anything. Right now its running 65 mph. I'm going to put a jack plate on it this weekend. I doubt I'll much more than 66 or 67 out of it but we'll see. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/roll.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

Ol yea, I figured out what the problem was reading old post. There was a comment on how to check it and I tried that, sure enough that was it. I just wish more people would post the repair not just the problem.

Speaking of posting the "repair".... how did you address the torn air pressure regulator diaphram? http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

The diaphram is located on right side fuel rail. It's inside the little silver cover with four Allen bolts. You check it by starting the motor and using your finger nail depress the valve stim on opposite Sid fuel rail for just an an instant, if gas sprays out the diaphram is torn. It is common for water vapor to come out but never gas. If the gas vapor does come out, you can change the diaphram yourself. I was charged $109.00 locally but it looks like a 40.00 part. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Diaphram in the STARBOARD rail is the TRACKER VALVE.

That's good, since it's the ONLY diaphram sold separate from a Complete Rail Set. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

Let me Ask you, what else would cause to not get wide open throttle. I adjusted the hot foot cable and I still can only get 5400 rpm. Could be the throttle position sensor? I don't understand, it runs 5400 rpm 65 mph with 1/2 tank of fuel and basically empty boat. It'll run the same with both tanks full and the live wells full also. It'll also run the same with a 4 blade trophy plus on it. The boat has great hole shot, although there is a fairly long pause if you punch it before it takes off, and it build speed to 64 or 65 fairly quick. It act like it's just not wide open even though the linkage says it is. Could it be the TPI? It cost 189.00 so I'd rather not be wrong, hopefully someone has seen this before

Just out of curiousity... have you had your Tachometer checked (with an inductive pickup tach)?

Would also be a good idea to get it on the Computer Diagnostic System. Obtain printouts of:

-Run History
-Freeze Frame (Fault) History
-Fault Seconds Counters

While on the CDS- the tach could be verified, AND a Sweep Test of the TPI/TPS could be done to confirm it's working properly, with no "glitches".

If no problems are noted here, I'll be glad to assist further. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

Well I think I've got it fixed for the most part. It still hesitates on hard starts but I'm getting my rpms and some speed. I changed the starbird side air pressure diaphragm, that was the ruff idle and missing condition problem, it was letting fuel into the air injection system. Changed the plugs, no change really but they did look a little dirty. Then I changed the TPI because there was play the linkage arm. That seemed to help the most. I also installed a 6" jack plate and a power pole bracket for later. I think I need to raise it just a little more but it's turning about 5600 rpms and running about 67 to 68. It starts to Chine walk right about 67 so it needs to go higher. I still have good water pressure and the rooster tail is just about even with the top of the cowling. I think it's fixed.

Try another 1/4" up on the plate. The Rangers need to get the hull up and out. Another 150 rpms or so and you should be about there. Can't remember did you check the fuel lines and filter?

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Shef &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Try another 1/4" up on the plate. The Rangers need to get the hull up and out. Another 150 rpms or so and you should be about there. Can't remember did you check the fuel lines and filter?

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+1 http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Also, just to clarify- the diaphram in the STARBOARD side rail is the "Tracker Diaphram". It's the ONLY replacement diaphram available from Mercury (air pressure regulator diaphram is on the PORT rail, and is not available as a replacement part). http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

When you replaced the TPS, did you ALSO replace the ARM that inserts into the TPS? Based on our conversation (you indicated a loose connection between them), I would highly recommend replacing BOTH. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif