2002 225 optimax problems

[Btuvi]

I bought a boat, 1992 Hydrasports with 225 opti. It was supposed to be in good operating condition. During trial run engine would not hold power. It kept missing, slowing down, catching again, start to come up strong, miss, slow down, etc. We took it to Merc dealer who ran computer check and determined that the problem was a loose wire in the front of the engine. A sensor mistakenly thought it was much colder than it was so increased gas supply flooding engine - or some explanation like that. Wire tightened - problem solved. Circumstances compelled me to accept that info and get on the road for the 15 hour journey home.

Two days later with boat in water for first time I ran into the same problem. Boat would plane, miss, lose power, almost drop off of plane, catch, and speed would increase. It would finally settle into a 30 mph speed (GPS), run for a few minutes just fine and then miss, slow down, catch, and back to 30mph - most times. Sometimes it would lose power completely (very slowly) and eventually drop off entirely. I would put it in neutral, wait a couple of minutes, and then process would be repeated. When it was running good and I tried to increase power it would miss repeatedly and just would not go.

After an hour of this it suddenly started beeping. It would beep four times, stop, and a few minutes later repeat a series of four beeps. I pulled it out of water and will have to take it to Merc dealer here.

Boat has new plugs and compression check is fine. Tach doesn't work. Temp guage seems to work moving into 100 plus degree range and staying there but who knows.

That's all I know. Any thoughts appreciated.

After being absent for awhile I'm glad to be back among you and hope to be able to contribute something other than problems in the near future.

Thanks

 

[finlay]

Re: 2002 225 optimax problems

you will have to take it to a merc dealer to get it put back on the computer to check for current faults on the ecm.

as for the beeping... i would say that its got water in the vst ,there is a water sensor in the vst that detects if there is water present. i know this coz i have had this happin with and 06 225 opti. if this is the case the computer should show that there is water prestent.

if i was you i would check your water seperating fuel filter.

 

[Btuvi]

Re: 2002 225 optimax problems

What is vst?

Only other info I have that could have some bearing is that seller told me he drained gas tank last spring. In past couple of weeks he put 10 gal in it for test ride. I don't know how he went about draining tank nor what residue might remain. I think he also said that he had replaced or checked fuel filter.

Aren't fuel filter and water filter two seperate items? I know where fuel filter is though wouldn't know how to check it unless given step by step instructions. Don't know about water filter but would think it would have one. Where would it be?

 

[finlay]

Re: 2002 225 optimax problems

the filter will be in line between the fuel tank and the engine. all you to is unscrew the canister or the filter bracket. drain it into a clean container and inspect the fuel... it will seperate the fuel and water to a point but i have seen many filters full with water because water sits onthe bottom of you fuel tank and fuel is drawn from the bottom of you tank via the pickup...water will be your problem and the longer you leave it the worst it gets...