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Posts: 1023
| Let me preface this by saying: I am not handy/mechanically inclined at all:)
I have a 75 hp opti that has been running perfectly since a complete warrantied replacement of the ignition coils - until last day.
• First of all - my battery has gone dead while resting in the garage for a few weeks twice now - battery is less than a year old?? I just tested the battery and the voltage reading was 12.34 V - is that a little low or okay?
• When I start the motor it fires up fine but at times I am getting a wobbly/weak beep instead of a solid one which is normal - low battery sign???
• Twice it stalled out/sputtered at low rpm's last trip - which it never does.
• When trimming the motor up and down last trip I noticed that the rpm's dropped while trimming - never noticed this before. This seems to point to a power problem but what do I know?
I have heard these motors are very voltage sensitive?? Is the battery the root of the problem or is it a fuel filter issue maybe - never changed it (owned motor for one year). Is the fuel filter easy to change by myself anyways??
Anyone recognize any of these minor symptoms?
Thanks
Landry
Edited by Landry 7/4/2011 6:11 PM
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Sounds like you have a battery issue, might be part or all of the problem |
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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | Opti's need a good battery, at least 800cca. Don't use wing nuts for the connections either, use nuts and make sure they are TIGHT and CLEAN. |
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Posts: 5874
| A fully charged battery will read 12.86 volts. You're a bit low. Hard to tell if your reserve is holding up or not. I'd get it tested.
Optis do have a slight draw when sitting. I had my battery go down over a couple of weeks one winter when the charger got unplugged.
1000 MCA is spec'd for Optimax. That works out to about 785 CCA. MCA X .785 =CCA
Even though your battery can turn the motor over, it may not allow it to start it. Seen it on EFI's too. Cranks fine, but no fire. Jumper from TM batts, and started right up. |
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Posts: 1023
| I have the correct battery. Will check battery water level this weekend and maybe replace it then run it to see.
I will likely do the fuel and air filter soon anyways just cause I should?
I thought 12.3 was a bit low on voltage but was not sure if it was low enough to affect things. The stutter/stall at low speed was a curiosity but the reduction in rpm's while trimming was a red flag to me.
Has anyone noticed reduced rpm's while trimming at lower rpm's on their opti? Is that typical?
Thanks again
Landry |
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Posts: 1023
| Bought a new battery - took it out and the same trim/rpm problem was there. Motor ran a little inconsistent/rough too - it skips at low rpm's once in a while.
Checked batteries periodically after ripping around full out for 45 minutes - 13+ volts sometimes and 12.5 others???? Finished at 12.7??
I dunno but what I do know is that the rpm/shift problem is new and still there - only noticeable in forward at lower rpm's (rpm's drop by 50% and then shoot up when I stop trimming) and not at all in neutral.
Last year I blew 3 ignition coils under warranty and I am starting to wonder if this problem is on its way back - before that happened I had a few engine skips similar to what I am seeing now.
Ironically, I have a Mazda MPV and it blows ignition coils all the time.
Landry |
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Posts: 5874
| I'd get it in for service. The RPM dropping that drastically while trimming is not normal. More than can be troubleshot on a forum anyway. Keep us posted on what they find.
Edited by Shep 6/29/2011 11:33 AM
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Posts: 1023
| I booked it in for service at my dealer.
Motor is still under warranty so hopefully they find it and fix it for free:)
I will report back just in case someone else has same issues in the future.
Landry |
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Posts: 247
Location: Uxbridge Ontario | Hey Landry,
I would be pushing for a new motor. There are lemon laws to protect you from reoccurring problems. Stupid to think that a dealer will keep on replacing the same parts over and over and over until your warranty is done, then say sorry you have to pay for these now. There should be a Merc rep around here in Ontario to help you out.
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Posts: 1023
| I am still covered so no worries yet.
But I will be worried next spring.
So far Merc has looked after me fairly so I am expecting the best:)
Not sure it is the coils anyways - I have it scheduled for surgery for Monday.
Hopefully we will get out fishing this summer Hometime! |
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Posts: 1023
| So - they couldn't find the problem today at the Marine Dealer/Service Shop.
They say it is not the charging system - I am guessing coils again but what do I know.
They are taking it out on the water tomorrow - 20 min away.
I am starting to worry that a big bill is coming my way if they don't find the problem and fix it under warranty.
There IS definitely something wrong with this engine right now and I'd say it is electrical. Took it out Sunday and it did the same rpm drop thing when I hit the trim.
Starting to wonder if I should have just ran it till it died outright BUT we have a 2 week vacation coming up soon and I thought it was too risky to do nothing.
Edited by Landry 7/4/2011 6:13 PM
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Posts: 60
Location: Lake Minnetonka | I used to have the same problem with my starter battery draining while I stored it and then my Opti wouldn't start. The first thing I always thought was it was the battery, but didn't make sense because it was new.
So for awhile when I didn't know what was draining it, I used to disconnect the negative terminal on the starter battery while I stored it and it cured the problem. And if I was really concerned about it, after my trolling motor batteries were charged, I would disconnect one of the trolling motor batteries and add in the starter battery to the trolling motor battery charging circuit, and charge it.
Do you have an external puck for your GPS? Are your electronics connected to your starting battery? Are your electronics wired into a seperare switch or accessory button that allows you to shut them off?
This is what I found my problem was, and know of 4 other boats that had the same exact problem. If your electronics are run off your starter battery (most are), and you do not have a seperate switch to shut them off, that means they are still drawing power and still running even when you are storing your boat. The external gps puck is still trying to get a signal and connect to a satellite. (don't know if it is the same with internal GPS) This causes a slow drain of your starter battery while in storage, and then your motor won't start.
You can also test this by making sure your starter battery is fully charged, and then unhooking the power cords where they connect to the back of your electronics, and let it sit for a couple days. Then check the voltage on your starter battery.
Also, when you have time, you need to get inside your boat, and see if the power cord for your electronics are wired to a switch or accessory button so you can shut them off. If not, then you need to put in a switch, or wire them to an accessory button so you can shut the power off to them.
My voltage drops when I am trimming too, but not rpms, so was never concerned about it. So don't know about that one.
Edited by PostFrontal 7/5/2011 10:23 AM
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Posts: 5874
| Are you saying it didn't drop RPM's while trimming for the dealer?
If it did, and they can't figure it out, it's time for a different dealer.
as for the battery draining, good thought on the GPS receiver. But that's the only thing that will drain if it's not aon a switch. As long as your sonars, VHF, are off, they shouldn't drain anything. Stereo may have a slight draw from the clock, but that would be miniscule. The Opti does have a minor draw as well. |
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Posts: 1023
| They could not increase the rpm's enough in the shop to see the effect when u hit the trim. It is not happening at slowest forward speed - really noticeable at about 5 mph, likely due to the fact that their is more of a load on the engine and electrical system????
I think the dealer I have is the best in my area - just worried if they can't fix it that I'll end up footing a huge bill for a fruitless exploratory mission??
I really appreciate everyone's input/help.
What do you guys/opti owners think of the smaller opti's - I am starting to develop some concerns re: their reliability, (seeing as I blew 3 coils and the computer a year ago and have only owned it for 15 months - it has less than 30 hrs on it).
Landry |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Good motors. I have a 90, and it's been great; I've sold hundreds of them with very few issues. Excellent customer satisfaction ratings, too. Something is going on in that motor's electrical that hasn't been correctly analyzed yet. Make sure the dealer has opened up a warranty claim on this issue so Merc has a way to track it through the process whether the dealer figures it out or not. They may have to call in a Merc Tech rep. |
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| sworrall - 7/5/2011 3:01 PM
Good motors. I have a 90, and it's been great; I've sold hundreds of them with very few issues. Excellent customer satisfaction ratings, too. Something is going on in that motor's electrical that hasn't been correctly analyzed yet. Make sure the dealer has opened up a warranty claim on this issue so Merc has a way to track it through the process whether the dealer figures it out or not. They may have to call in a Merc Tech rep.
Thankyou for the feedback!!!
In your opinion, if they open a file and acknowledge a problem but can't solve it, will I still be on the hook for labour? Can a claim remain open and ongoing as the problem is monitored? I doubt it but worth asking.
Landry |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | If the issue is indeed with the engine and not boat wiring or battery or other outside issues, I believe so. Ask your dealer that question directly. |
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Posts: 1023
| Thanks Steve!!!!
I will let u know the outcome.
The shop I am dealing with has a great reputation.
Landry |
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Posts: 1023
| Well - they water-tested it and said there is no problem. I think my boat decided to behave for the doctor but who knows?????
They could tell I was a little skeptical but it was also obvious that they did not charge me for the actual labour involved but much less.
Voltage checked out just fine and charging system is a go.
I am off on a 2 week family cottage rental on a great muskie/bass lake in Haliburton Ontario. I am remaining positive that things will be fine (and that I will get some big fish:)
Thanks everyone.
Landry |
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Posts: 247
Location: Uxbridge Ontario | Landry,
I have about 120hrs on my 2007 75hp Opti. None of the issues you have encountered. Only issue my engine has had was an uncalibrated rpm sensor.
In Haliburton eh... Kash? |
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