FAQ- COMMONLY ASKED/USED 2.0/2.4/2.5 Liter Topics (Look here FIRST) Updated 11/2023
GENERAL PRODUCT INFO AND MAINTENANCE:
Optimax Engine Break-In
HOW TO FIND YOUR SERIAL NUMBER
Optimax Engine Changes, 1/2013 and later
FUEL LINES AND PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS
"BATTERIES THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS" - UPDATED LIST 7/20!
PM-1 Experiences and Warranty PollProXS Engines: OIL RECOMMENDATION CHANGE
Oil, Battery, Spark Plugs, Fuel and Fuel Additive Recommendations
OIL IDENTIFICATION by Part Numbers
Importance of Proper Spark Plug Gap
DON'T use Aftermarket Spark Plugs in your Opti!
Recommended Annual Maintenance or Winterization for Optimax Engines
Compressor STRAINER Cleaning
Bleeding air from the Engine Mounted Oil Tank
Proper Warmup and Cold Water Operation
Engine Shutdown Precautions after a HARD RUN (Especially in cold water)
Thermostat removal/replacement for Optimax Engines
Compression Testing
"Water Pressure 101"- Poppet Valves and Variables with Water Pressure
1.5L (75-125hp 3 cyl) Optimax Water Pump Replacement
Water Pump Replacement
Mercury Marine Engine Products
4-Shutter Intake Idle Speed Adjustment
Striker Plates- Performance
Striker Plate Replacement Information
WARNING HORN "BEEPED"-For Down-draft (Motorola-style) Models-
FUEL AND ETHANOL TOPICS:
Mercury OFFERS- INEXPENSIVE FUEL "ETHANOL CONTENT TESTER"
What Ethanol does to your engine... fuel lines & system!
Mercury's View of Ethanol Fuel (Original Article)
MERCURY Fuel System Care Products- Know the FACTS, avoid the MYTHS
Ethanol Free Gas Stations List (US)
Fuel Rail and Direct Injector Removal
SMARTCRAFT INSTALLATION AND MERCMONITOR:
MercMonitor Versions and Information
MercMonitor Installation: (Currently looking for documented install)
NMEA-2000 Stand-Alone Gateway "stick"
NMEA-0183 Connection Information with Diaghram
NMEA-2000 Gateway Connections (L1 or Higher MercMonitor- or Gateway Stick)
LIVEWELL TEMP MOD
DIGITAL TRIM SENSOR INSTALLATION
How to Disassemble A Smartcraft Cable Connector
Simple NMEA-2K Network Layout
Vesselview Mobile Connection Problems? Try this...
Vessel View LINK communication problems with Lowrance?
GEAR RATIO:
Determining your Gearcase "Gear Ratio"- Without removing Gearcase
Mods and Such:
3L O-ringed Cylinder Head Cutting/CC Service @ JSRE
225 EFI, 250 EFI, 300 ProMax Throttle Plate Airgap
Adding an LED Warning Light to Warning Horn Circuit
REED CAGE LAPPING
HIGH SPEED SCOOP KIT INSTALLATION
Push-to-Enrich Start Modification (Laser-Style EFI engines)
COMMON QUESTIONS/ITEMS:
Common Wire Colors (Mercury)
Crankshaft O-Ring Carrier fell out? How to get it back?
Hotfoot Adjustment/Setup
Hydraulic Steering Bleeding/Purging or Installation Instructions
EFI Pressure Regulator/Final Filter
Trim Rod Endcap Removal Tool
Alternative Oils?
2.5L Poppet Valve Kit
Checkout Recommendations for a Used Engine
Contacting Don for Technical Support
Should you see something that you feel should be on this list (or note an error), please send me a PM.
