Trim Gauge - 98 OptiMax 135 HP

[davescountry]

As always, thanks in advance for the help. I was going to post this last night, but got temporarily sidelined by another question which got fixed right away.

I am working on a 1998 Optimax, 135 HP on a 1998 Astro.

Sometime last year, my trim gauge quit working. I kind of haven't worried about it too much becuase I was given the advice to go more by feel than the actual gauge. I kind of gets to me though since I like to take care of my stuff and don't like things to be broken.

I assume this is the factory gauge, at least it looks like it. Basically all I have done so far is make sure that there is power and a valid ground at the gauge.

Any suggestions on where to start or what to look for? This is my first boat with power trim, so I am very familiar with the various components. So, if you can offer advice, I am admitting up front I am a total novice so don't know the terminology. I am pretty good at following directions and troubleshooting, particularly if you describe the parts.

So, hope someone can help. Thanks again in advance for the help.

 

[megalos]

Re: Traim Gauge - 98 OptiMax 135 HP

Re: Traim Gauge - 98 OptiMax 135 HP

hello, sorry i dont have an answer for your quest, i just bought a 1999 135 optimax, my motor blows smoke some days more than others, just wondering if yours does the same or if you have any advice. thanks

 

[davescountry]

Re: Trim Gauge - 98 OptiMax 135 HP

Well, so far I have only great things to say about this engine. I bought this boat largely on the reccomendation of a friend of mine, who is a Pro Guide and possibly one of the top two or three crappie fisherman in KS. When I sent him the classified ad when I was looking at it, he actually said he didn't know anything about the boat model (Astro) but that if I had a chance to buy an Optimax - do it. He specifically called out that it wouldn't burn oil and was fuel efficient.

With mine, so far, he has been right. I can't say that it has ever blown smoke, but some days I do smell oil. Maybe it just hasn't started blowing yet. I had one instance where, after I hit a stump in idle with the lower end, my warning light/alarm come on about 10 mins later at WOT. I shut down, waited and started it again and have had no problems.

The only thing I have been surprised about is how sensitive the trim can be, but I suspect that is as much a factor of the boat its pushing. I haven't had power trim before, so in my old boat it was pretty much one setting and I ran everything on that. With this one, I really have to trim down to get on plane and then come up. Once or twice, I went down too far and for some reason killed the engine, which again after about 1 min fired right back up and ran fine. That was during my adjustment period.

So, I have only good things so far (knock on wood) but still consider myself a novice with this engine. I know I need to probably change the water pump, since I haven't down that this year, but have been putting it off.

Sorry I can't offer any more feedback for you.