tritonman
Posts: 63
(6/8/04 10:15 pm)
Reply 2003 225 Merc Optimax help
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I have an 03 225 Merc Opti on my TR20 that I bought new last August. I am turning a 27 Tempest Plus prop. Ran boat all weekend and no problems. Ran boat today with me and 275lb partner and it would not come on plane. Motor would just lug at 2000rpm's and wouldnt rev up enough to come on plane until he would go set on front deck and I would lean forward, then it would come on plane and run fine. It did this evertime we tried to get it on plane and then run fine. Anybody ever have this problem? Could it be fouled spark plugs? I have noticed it missing every now and then when it was idling in gear. I am going to try and take out the plugs tomorrow and look at them. Anybody have any suggestions?

Fishhead210
Registered User
Posts: 32
(6/8/04 10:53 pm)
Reply 2003 help
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Take the plugs out of the tempest.

tritonman
Posts: 65
(6/9/04 8:36 am)
Reply Re: 2003 help
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I have been running it with 2 plugs out and 1 large plug in for 3 months, and it has gotten on plane fine with tournament load. Yesterday I didnt have tournament load and it would not come on plane at all until partner set on deck and I leaned forward. Something is definitely wrong.

BMCD01
Nitro Moderator
Posts: 517
(6/9/04 10:05 am)
Reply Re: 2003 help
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I would examine the plugs. If a plug was fouled though i'd think that it would run a little rough idling.

tritonman
Posts: 66
(6/9/04 10:43 am)
Reply Re: 2003 help
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I plan to try and get the plugs out today or tomorrow. The bottom 2 plugs look almost impossible to get to. Anybody ever change the plugs in a 225 Opti? What's the easiest way to get to the bottom ones?
I have noticed that it was idling kind of rough in gear while giving it some gas the past month or so. Maybe it is just bad enough now for it to effect getting up on plane.

wanabepro
Posts: 73
(6/9/04 11:25 am)
Reply Auto store
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I made a couple trips to the auto store before I bought the right tool. They have tools for spark plugs with handles and heads that adjust to reach into different spaces and angles. I spent about $20 total. The left and right bottom side each needed different tools that turned different ways. Wasn't a big deal after I figured it out.

Fishhead210
Registered User
Posts: 34
(6/9/04 9:44 pm)
Reply Auto store
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If you had a fouled plug it would not run fine after you got on the pad. Take out the third plug in the Tempest and try it before you replace the plugs.

Beaudinni
Posts: 37
(6/10/04 7:19 am)
Reply 2003 help
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Tritonman, the easiest way that I found to get to the bottom plugs (sorry I don't know the name of the parts)
is to take off the little black box with a cable running to it in front of each of the plugs. I believe that each box is held in by two phillip screws. Then just lift up the box and you will have a straight shot at the plugs. Hope this makes sense, but once I did this it was a breeze..

Baronth655
Registered User
Posts: 10
(6/10/04 9:14 am)
Reply 225 Opti
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I just spent $203.67 on a fouled plug. My Opti did the exact same thing. You can pull all of the plugs you want out of the Tempest and it won't fix anything, but when you pull the spark plugs you will find one very fouled NGK Laser Iridium. My boat ran fine once I was able to get it on plane. Good luck, and by the way, the plugs cost $12.71 each!!!!!! Hope this helps ya.

BMCD01
Nitro Moderator
Posts: 523
(6/10/04 3:27 pm)
Reply Re: 225 Opti
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$12.51 is a good price per plug.

tritonman
Posts: 69
(6/10/04 3:43 pm)
Reply Re: 225 Opti
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I paid $9.98 each for NGK PZFR5F-1 at Advance Auto Parts.
Thanks for the tip Beau. I will try that this evening.