The old transom saver is called a transom saver for a reason. The ones you have are not saving your transom at all

The older optimaxs suffered from rotted water pickup tubes; so the tube that delivers water from the lower unit up to the block starts to rot and get holes in it and you lose any water pressure. Might just be a saltwater thing, but something to look into.

Still gonna want to use that metal transom saver. Those blocks still have the transom holding all the weight of the engine vs the weight being supported on the trailer.

@saltwater2478

11 ай бұрын

Yes. Those things dont do anything

@texoma_outdoors

11 ай бұрын

Yep I heard a fiberglass guy talk about all the transoms he gets to rebuild since the prop brackets became popular. They only save you trim cylinders

@Dakotagrand10

11 ай бұрын

Exactly my thoughts since I started seeing people use them! Sure they save the hydraulics but do absolutely nothing for the transom itself !

@wmweekendwarrior1166

11 ай бұрын

Amen

@jaysonsetzer2287

11 ай бұрын

​@texoma_outdoors I actually heard Rick Peirce owner of Bass Cat tell Ken Smith this on a KZread vid last year. He says use the old style

Get your RPM's up on the motor. It's not deep enough in the bucket and on the muffs sometimes it's not enough pressure to get water up in the engine. Check the thermostats too. They might be corroded from sitting.

@johnslack9679

11 ай бұрын

Make sure the pick up inlet on the lower unit is submerged. my Yamaha would not pee with muffs only until I put it in a deep enough tub. Sweet rig for 3k!

Loving the series and really enjoy your thought processes while trouble shooting.

Just a personal preference but I will always opt for a tote bar transom saver. It transfers a lot of the stress off the transom and onto the trailer.

It seems that maybe something is clogging down in it somewhere. But I’m really hoping you get it fixed cause you really work hard on these boats really hard. Good luck bro!!

Have been dying to see part two of this series. I hope it gets tons of views. Very curious to see where this journey will go.

@TightlineTV

11 ай бұрын

Appreciate the love!

The way the water system works is the pee hose is fed off the air compressor, which is fed through a plastic screen on the side of the engine case. You need to pull that screen and make sure it's clean. If not the compressor won't be cooled and it'll fail. That's a whole other issue if that happens.

@riccochet704

11 ай бұрын

You may need to pull the lower cowl to get to it. It's on the lower port side of the engine. You'll see a line going to it. Basically, the water come in to the water jacket of the engine block, goes out through that screen (which keeps junk from getting in the compressor housing), goes in through the compressor, when it comes out of the compressor it get Tee'd off. That T is what the pee tube comes off of. When running the engine if you have water coming out of the exhaust then you know water is circulating through the engine, just not the compressor since the tell take stream is not present. You won't see water come out the exhaust until the engine hits 143F to open the thermostats. So, clean that filter/screen, blow those lines out going to and from the compressor. There's nothing in the compressor that requires cleaning, don't mess with it.

@riccochet704

11 ай бұрын

Another couple things to check. Thermostats, just to make sure they are working, is to pull both thermostats. Top rear of the block, kind of behind the fuel rails. You might need to loosed the rail bolt and pull the rails back a little. Once removed drop them in a glass of 160F water. If they open, cool, slap them back in. If not then replace them. These optimax's need proper cooling. Also, on the starboard side of the engine, behind the relay panel, is the poppet valve. What this does is when you are under power and water pressure reaches 7-8 PSI the poppet valve opens allowing free flowing water through the engine's water jacket. It's just a plastic plunger, spring and rubber seal. Sometimes the rubber seal gets stuck and the valve won't open. The thermostats will still open, but not provide enough flow to keep the engine cool. You'll get an overheat alarm. If you plan to open that poppet valve up order a rebuild kit. They're cheap, and you'll need the cork gaskets.

@tbranch9830

11 ай бұрын

This comment and the others from this user should fix your problem. I had the same problem, to include water coming from pee hole while flushing but none while motor was running. I cleaned the screen filter and replaced the poppet. Both super simple but you will have to remove bottom cowl. Buy a vessel view mobile while you’re at it and you’ll never have to guess if your thermostats are functioning properly.

@flyhog8574

11 ай бұрын

This guy has the best response. I’ve worked on a ton of OMC outboards as they’re far more common in our area than the optimax. But this is where I’d start. Especially testing the easiest to get to stuff first.

@riccochet704

11 ай бұрын

One other thing to mention. Optimax engines require a minimum of 12 PSI of water pressure at WOT. Any less is inadequate for cooling. If you don't want to invest in a Vessel View Mobile I would recommend installing an analog water pressure gauge. Though not as accurate, you'll at least have a good idea that you are getting enough pressure. Poor cooling is the #1 killer of Optimax engines. Whether that be poor block cooling which results in blown powerheads, or poor compressor cooling which grenades the compressor sending metal in to the fuel system. That's a nightmare. Keeping the filter clean should be part of regular maintenance, especially if you operate in dirty debris laden water or through a lot of vegetation.

I have the same motor and it won’t piss on the hose either. You have to have a 5/8 hose with good water pressure. If it’s not to much work just back it in at the ramp and then try it. Your motor looks clean, I would just run new battery cables and you should have no more starting issues. Opti’s are great but extremely finicky

I have a 250 pro xs optimax. It works fine with the muffs but it does take about 60 seconds for the stream to start. Definitely check the screen to the compressor. You will have to remove the lower cowling to get to it.

The lower unit on mercury is different from Yamaha….. so when you took it off the first time, I didn’t see a tube connect to it. That tube is to transfer the water from the pump to your engine. Maybe it’s missing that, which is why you getting absolutely no water going up at all. Hope that helps

Take the lower unit off and check the water pickup tube. Check for visible holes. Force water into the motor by holding garden hose up against this water pickup pipe. Open the Compressor and check the system all the way through including the thermostat. If you can't get water flow from the impeller after all this take the boat into a Marine Tech.

I didn't see all of the impeller change, but did you lose the little metal key? maybe the shaft is just spinning around it.

The alarm going off and engine not starting was most likely because u took the oil out of the reserve tank. There's a sensor in there and computer restricts it from starting. And I would definitely back your boat up on a ramp and let it run for a few minutes to see if it pees before you hop on to other suspected problems

@JB_Outdoors18

5 ай бұрын

We ran our 2017 200hp out of oil and it started pulling out of the reservoir and went into limp mode. We thought we blew it up but we got home and we looked it up on KZread and found out a potential problem. We unscrewed the reservoir and cranked it up and it filled up and then it worked fine

The lower unit has has hose or a fitting of some kind this feeds the water to the top , when installing the lower locate the water feed port/ tube make sure it is connecting properly and or the seal is good.

Try and boil the thermostats to see if they open and close. They should open at about 140 degrees .

1 all optis will pee on muffs 2 the thermostats don’t have to be open 3 as stated below there’s a filter on the side of the block that gets clogged and will stop the flow, check it first before pulling the lower unit back off! 4 the problem with it not starting at first was bad connections

Another thing with OptiMax motors you can use regular 2 cycle oil in a pinch but Mercury or quick silver 2 stroke DFI oil is recommended and with your power tilt problem check fluid if ok probably swithch problem

Keep up the positive vibes bro. I thinking its clogged in intake somewhere or something is loose

I see some of the other comments and came here as more of an engine expert than a boat expert. Is there a way to verify that the rod that connects to the engine from the lower is spinning? The flush port obviously works, so your issue has to be before where that flush starts. Also, I don't know if they have service manuals for boat motors, like they do for cars, if they do, I would snag one of those so you can trace all of your lines. Could your low compression be due to a head gasket issue? It could also explain why it wouldn't pee. It would be fairly easy to pull the head off and inspect, just in case. Thanks again for the video! Really enjoy watching!

In Tennessee, I constantly had to keep cleaning my engine's water port as the mud dobbers would fill it with so much red clay mud that the engine couldn't piss and cool properly.

@TightlineTV

11 ай бұрын

It’s def clean

At least I guess the right price 😂 1 of 4 people not bad and can’t wait to see this boat on the water man

Wiring can cause all sorts of issues your best bet is to rewire the boat. As far as the motor itself it sounds great and based on my mechanical history you’re on the right track. I’d start at the tell tale hose and work back. Make sure there isn’t a blockage. Then get to the t-stats, etc. it’s always a good bet to replace the waterpump impeller if it’s sat for a while. If you still can’t chase it down I’d get with an outboard mechanic and see if they’ll let you film it.

0:47 those transom savers are not good for saving your lower unit the only true motor toters are the ones that go from your lower unit to your trailer because they provide support in your lower unit! I hope this helps!

Awsome series man loved the bass cat

@TightlineTV

11 ай бұрын

Thanks!

your thermostat might be closed but with those motors you need to take it to the lake and test to make sure, some outboards wont work correct if you dont have it under load

No water is coming out the exhaust. Your lower unit might be clogged or the up pipe after the water pump. If you pull the lower unit and take the water pump out you can put the muffs on and see if your getting water to the pump and rule out the lower unit.

Look at where the water pump tube meets the water pump. There should be a plastic sleeve the goes on the between pump housing and the pickup tube. Make sure it’s there or no water to powerhead

Man, as sophisticated as that motor is and as little as you spent on the boat... I would take it to a known good mechanic and have a good once over done to it. It should still be worth your while, and I bet you'd still have plenty of content to make on that boat from other repairs. Just my 2 cents for what its worth. Heck, you could even get ahead and change the lower unit oil and water impeller to save a few bucks because that'll probably cost over $100 at a shop alone.

@MrSki-tyvm

11 ай бұрын

I personally think that taking to a mechanic is horrible because it's not that complex. The other thing is is simple oil change at most places cost $200...... that's not even trouble shooting. His bill could easily be $300 and still not fixed

Remove (again) the lower unit, and connect the garden hose in the pick up water tube (the tube where water pump connects) and run the water. It should pee, otherwise, something is blocking somewhere. How are the water pump housing and plate? Any grooves? Is there the piece that connects the water pump and the inlet tube?

Take the lower unit off and use compressed air in the down shoot “pick up that connects to the top of the water pump.

Thermostats and poppett valve, just change them, period. Don't think about it, just do it!

remove one of the thermostats and run fairly high pressure water through the hole. Then send it back the other direction

I’m still in middle of video so idk if you’ve figured this out yet or not but there’s a sensor on right side of motor bolted to head on optimax that will cause that beeping like that and prevent it from starting sometimes and sometimes not I’d make sure it’s tight if it’s lose it does that

You need to do the flush with the lower unit off so it can flush bigger chunks out, they probably replaced the impeller because it completely fell apart and pieces are stuck up in the tubes, also check the thermostats.

I had this happen to a way older motor but..... how i fixed it was there is a tube that i had to line up when installing the lower unit, i also like fixing old junkers

One step at a time, disconnect the water pick up tube at the top end of engine. Test to make sure water from impeller is pushing water through tube. Then you will know that the problem is either the pick up tube or compressor. If it's not the tube, open and clean compressor screen because it's probably clogged. If NOT clogged it's the compressor burnt out from running without water.

This reminds me of my Evinrude 35HP. It sat in my field for about 10 years because I couldn't get it to pee. I was given the wrong impeller by the boat shop. It wasn't until I took it to the shop at my wits end 10 years later the shop, "you put the wrong impeller in there."

Make sure you connected the pickup tube back to the impeller housing? If that isn’t the case than change the thermostat

The opti has low water pu on front of the engine won't pee with muffs. Hook up the hose to flush hook up and start but it pees then. Let me know if that works. Good Luck. I have the XR6 150 motor on my Nitro and Love it.

Check your pickup tube (between the impeller and the head) If it’s blocked or not connected well, water will leave the impeller and immediately fall back down

Very good possibility it has some stuff clogging the pick up tube that runs down to the water pump.

Lower units need to be more in the water then that. The impeller is higher up then that. Think about it like this your priming it. Also they have thermostats that open and close

optis were known for blocked discharge tubes. Just use a pressure washer and spray out the discharge pee hole. happens all the time when they havent been ran in a few months. Mine use to do it all the time. Have you change the thermostats? if this motor hasnt run in a while then the thermostats need to be replaced.

My 94 Mercury 2 stroke takes a solid 30-45 seconds before the thermostats open and it starts to pee and it won't pee at all on muffs. It only has 4lbs at idle fully submerged so it isn't much of a stream and 15lbs at 4K rpm. I would try it out on the water, let it run for a minute; it won't overheat that quickly.

I have same motor had same problem mine was the fitting for hose that runs from lower unit into motor super easy fix

Couldn’t tell when you dropped the lower unit is the pipe there that connects the water pump to the power head? Older models was a copper pipe not sure with the optimax

It's been my experience on my motors that those square muffs suck. Picked up a round one and it did the trick. From my 115 sho to my 25 hp.

@htfyrftr1

11 ай бұрын

i definitely agree with that

@TightlineTV

11 ай бұрын

I have round muffs to but ain’t done much

I had the same ticking on my Mercury. It was just the battery connection. Cleaned the terminals etc and then it worked again. Looks the same

I think it is fortuitous that there was a battery cable clamp and terminal cleaner in the boat.. should have used it from the beginning 😊

Just did mine and when I replaced water pump I didn’t get the pickup tube connected to the pump. Oops! took it off again and made sure. Now works like a champ

You should have connected your hose drrectly to the water pump pick up tube and ran water up through it when the lower unit was off. That way you could see if it was clogged. You can run the engine like that also if you need you.

@JupiterGeorgeFishing

11 ай бұрын

Also probably should put a new thermostat in it.

Check the pickup tube inside the lower unit and then work your way to the compressor.

I had a 96 150 opti that did this. The only way I could get it to pee was to put in the water or a 50 gallon drum cut so that the lower unit could become completely submerged. It took about 30 seconds before it would begin to pee and looked like a 75 year old man with prostate problems. Also, occasionally I would get blockage in the “pee tube” and weed eater string was the best option to free up whatever was causing the issue.

WOW. That is a great boat for $3K. I need to hire you to find my next boat.

Actually the big metal arm (transom saver) is better it helps protect your transom and hydraulics those little tubes are only good to help protect your hydraulics

and the giveaways are definitely fun!

Pretty much what others have said, let it run longer for the thermostats to kick in. Also go ahead and change them out.

Don’t mess with compressor, it’s probably the thermostats not opening yet or stuck. Only other thing is just want to make sure the keyway for water pump was put in correct?

Pull all your hoses from the back of the heads and check for clogs as well as the hose that runs to the water outlet(pee hole)

Congrats to giveaway winner! Keep plugging, you will figure out the problems. I suspect thermostats, but I probably know much less than you do!

Mercury's usually need some rpms before they pee water especially off muffs.And mud will plug the pee hole too with mud, just have to stick something up there and clean it out.

HAHA.. I did something similar to you and picked up an older boat (21 foot Gambler with a Merc 250 Pro XB) and motor and pretty much did all the same things you did with the Fuel, Oil and had the same issue with the tell tale.. would not pee.. I was able to get a nice stead stream after doing the following.. Flushing out from the top as you did and nothing, then I used a 14 gauged copper electrical wire to just to clear out some calcium build up at the spout of the hose.. Still no peeing.. then finally used a high pressure air canister (Air compressor is good to) and blasted it into the pee hole and Viola water started to trickle out.. did that again 2 more times and started to get a steady stream out of the pee hole.. I then proceeded to change all the Plugs, Fuel filter and Lower gear Oil just to make sure all was good and so far so good.. =)

Not sure about Mercury's but I have a 150 Yamaha and have owned it for 30 years yeah I'm old anyway i have a kicker 9.9 hp and it does not get run very often. But every spring after I get it home from storage I run it. The tell tale hole was not peeing so I took the hose off from under the cover and it was gamed full of mud from some kind of bug that had nested in it over the winter. Also some outboards have thermostats and a pop off valve. Dose the engine give you an over heating alarm if you let run for awhile? If not I'm thinking the water pump is fine. Have you removed and clean the intake water ports were the muffs are on? good luck!

Check the tube going from the water pressure out let going to the gauge take the line off at the block start the motor and check the water coming out

also rev it when its in the bucket. it will help create suction

Matter if you're a pillar moves or not if you don't have the hose that comes off the top of the water pump and go to the hose that runs uphill lower unit to the engine it should be a little hose there

Man my dad had the same moter but it was a 175 and that classic smell I miss it so much

Fuel and oil doesn't mix in the vst(fuel pump) it is pushed directly in the engine block via high pressure pump located on the driver side of the engine under the starter.... fuel is pumped through the vst into fuel injection but passes through your air injector, which is pressurized by the air compressor... the fuel injector sits inside the air injector.. creating more fuel pressure, which increases combustion... in other words, a bigger boom....lol

@jheiny1231

11 ай бұрын

My yamaha 2 stroke mixes the gas and oil in the vst

@HardmanOutdoors

11 ай бұрын

@jheiny1231 the optimax actually pushes oil into the block with a high-pressure oil injector.. which is why it doesn't smoke like the old mercs

@pain_weaver

11 ай бұрын

​@@HardmanOutdoorsthingy? Also goes boom. Opti booms have bad reputation. I wouldn't run one. Heck I wouldn't buy a merc to begin with.

@HardmanOutdoors

11 ай бұрын

@pain_weaver I've never ran anything besides an evinrude and a merc...

Run a long skinny zip tie or trimmer line up the tube. And it take a couple minutes or so to fill the motor with water.

@lugnutzz75

11 ай бұрын

@ClickOnProfile4705 man that would be awesome if you was real!!! Scammer.

My Mercury never puts water through the hose with the muffs. No matter what I do. If I put it in bucket of water, or in the lake, it works right away.

Loose grounds are common. Ditch the wing nuts if you use them and use nuts!

Kool giveaway keep them coming 🤙🏾🤙🏾🎣🎣🎣🎣

Cut a piece of hose put one end in the tank and the other a jug take an air compressor blow some air in and it will start draining by it self

Also your going to haft submerge the motor in deeper water! I don’t think that impeller was all that bad and I think I would recommend cleaning the fuel bar with fuel filter also

The water isn’t reaching the power head, you have to take out the power head and inspect med unit gasket, pickup tube

It seems that its clogged somewhere. What I usually do when that happens to my boat, I blow compress air to unclog the pee pipe, and it usually works. Try it out.

The issue with it not starting is 100% a bad ground connection on your battery negative -- use sand paper on your leads and wires to get a good connection. As far as the peeing goes, try trimming the motor all the way up and put the muffs on. At low RPM they can sometimes have a hard time when you don't have the motor completely submerged. Raising it up makes the water pump not work as hard.

check the lower unit screens for the water intake

you might want to consider a full system rewire. Doesn't cost much money, more-so just a time thing.

Take water pick up tube out of lower unit (copper tube) make sure it's not clogged or holes or crimped.

Some mercurys do not pee until thermostats open. It may take a minute to start peeing. Check thermostats one on each head. Check and or replace poppet valve.

Take some thin wire and run in pee hole. Waspers love to build nests in them especially boats that have been sitting.

Try to clear the intake screens. That is the only thing that will be before the flush point!

Dude was I on top ten for giveaway? Modeling now ? Waterproof shorts fabulous very james bond . Very cool & smart

I’m not sure why but I always struggled to get my optimax to pee on a hose with muffs. Placing the lower in such a small bucket doesn’t work to well either because the exhaust causes so much disturbance in the water that it limits the ability for the water pump to create good suction due to air in the water. I recommend backing it down a ramp and completely submerging the lower unit and give it a try. Also the heads should get hot pretty quickly if no water is circulating and the alarm will sound before it reaches a temp high enough to damaged anything.

Old school transom savers that go to the trailer are way better than the block, releave stress off the transom.

Submerge it and let it run for about 2 mins, I believe the thermostat on those are around 145° before they open.

with me and ur luck yes u did and so did i 😂

1. Pull a thermostat out and see if you have water coming out for a short time. If there is water then your thermostats are stuck 2. There is a weed strainer for the water system on the side of the block, have to take the lower cowlings off to get to it. 3. Could be clogged at the pop off valve 4. There is another strainer under the power head or at the top of the pick up tube. I don’t think you can clean this one without removing the power head. Note : most of the time it’s the thermostats or the #2 strainer from above

Ive had the same issues with my olf optimax would never pee unless it was in gear or idled up

Not a mechanic just wanted to say I love your videos.

Those rubber boots are not transom savers the weight of the motor is still on the transom. That metal brace actually takes the pressure off the transom while traveling on the trailer.

Check the filter for the compressor water line

Thermostats need to heat and open before it starts to pee.

Have you checked the thermostats? Might not be working and staying closed not allowing water to flow!

Check thermostats and poppet valve

At 6:00, I would have recommended buying a cheap electric fuel pump and some hose. Hook the fuel pump to the battery, and save yourself time and sweat.

My buddy had a Mercury like this and when he bought it that was one red flag it's it wouldn't pump water so we did a whole bunch of stuff trying to figure out why ended up we had to put it in the Lake put it in drive and gun it and then it started pinwater like it has holes like A thermostat or something but I don't believe they do but as of now the motor runs fine and peace fine I'm just curious to see if you just have to put it under some pressure to get it to pee