Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by REK3 on 08/12/10 - 6:26 PM

I have a 1998 Mercury Optimax 135 that has been stalling. I seems to be a fuel supply problem. Engine starts and runs good. On one outing the the engine sputter a few times. On my most recent outtings I am able to get the boat up on plane and it runs for 2-3 minutes, then engine begins to sputter and spurt. Eventually it stalls and won't restart. I then pump the primer bulb and the engine will restart and runs fine. Once running, the engine then sputters at higher rpms. It has been running smooth at mid rpms. Does anyone have thoughts. I am on vacation with the boat so I have some limitation to repair resources.

Posted by Mark Finkenstaedt on 08/12/10 - 7:21 PM

I am definitely not the expert just the bitter user. My 2001 Optimax had a stalling problem when in idle but was fine running but probably not for long. The dealer wasted a whole lot of time and money working on the reed valves only to find it was a bad #6 cylinder. Solution a new engine.

Just describing a stalling problem with an Optimax. I hope it's a cheap fix and you continue having a wonderful holiday.

Now the experts will chime in...

Posted by REK3 on 08/13/10 - 4:58 AM

Mark-

Thank you for the feedback. I hope it is a simpler solution than a new engine!

Anyone else have further thoughts?

Posted by REK3 on 08/13/10 - 5:02 PM

More information. Engine ran great today, for about 45 minutes of running. Then it stalled. I squeezed the primer a few times and it re-started. Then ran good. Stopped for lunch and beach time. 2 hours later it started fine. Then after 3-5 minutes of idling then up on plane and engine die. Again. after numerous primer attempts engine restarted and ran good for the hour back to the ramp. I am now thinking some sort of vapor lock is occurring. Any thoughts along that line?

Posted by Royboy on 08/13/10 - 6:25 PM

Check the vent and make sure nothing has built a home in it. Also might replace your priming blub and fuel hose from the moisture seperator to the engine. Last resort might be a fuel pump. Priming before starting the first time you take it out for the day will save your pump.

It sounds like one of two things is happening. Either you are sucking air into the fuel pump from a leak and it is cavitating, or you are sucking all of the air out of the tank and starving the pump. Think three is a bad pump.

Posted by Mtinrunner on 09/08/10 - 3:43 PM

Sounds similar to what my Opti 135 was doing. After bringing it back several times the problem didn't show until they put it under heavy load. The low pressure fuel pump which is cooled by the gas was over heating. pump was $230 at the dealer and $99 on EBay. I even bought an extra. Switched it out myself. I hope you figured it out by now.