Mercury OptiMax 90 FUEL Issue SOLVED

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Check out my other Mercury Video for how to replace the water impeller kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJqVkGWJhsair8k

[@caspianniko8555]

i dont mean to be so off topic but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an instagram account?? I was dumb lost the account password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me

[@sledneckweston7586]

What I would like to know is how you got the high pressure hose fitting out of the bottom on the back side I can't get mine out

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

At 11:57 you’ll see the plate that has to be removed to get the high pressure side out, I assume you’ve removed that.

[@krsmith1855]

Brother I really appreciate the video!!!! Got mine apart, and that rubber seal was completely split almost into! Thanks again!!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

YES! glad I could help!

[@krsmith1855]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE Hey bud, just updating on that cracked rubber seal (cause I know you were losing sleep worrying about it ) 😄 but that was definitely the problem! Runs like a champ! Really appreciate the video!!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@@krsmith1855 awesome!

[@sesmarias]

Great video. You help me to save time and money, because I had same problem on my Mercury 90Hp Optimax from 2006. I am in PORTUGAL. Thanks a lot!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

That makes me sooo happy! I'm so glad your were able to do it yourself and save a ton of money! thanks for watching!

[@bullitt454]

have an issue with my 2005 225 pro xs found i had the exact issue he had here a bad seal on the high pressure pump....mine would start but die after a couple seconds of running but got to where it would not start at all....will know for sure after shop opens in the morning and i get it back together but i feel confident thats the issue

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

If the seal was cracked I'm sure that's the issue! Best of luck! Let me know if that fixed it.

[@bullitt454]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE definitely was the problem replaced the seal today and she runs like a champ now......thank you for sharing your video

[@bullitt454]

for those that want to replace the fuel line orielly auto parts sells a black fuel line that is ethanol compatable at a very good price mine is 3/8 and was $1.48 per ft

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@@bullitt454 glad to help! Amazing that a cheap little rubber thing can shut you down so easily!

[@victorbenner539]

Howdy Eric. I just happened to come across this. Just so happens I have a Mercury 90 hrs with a jet pump on my 17' jet sled. The pump reduces the heat rating down to about 60 hrs. Hopefully I'll have the boat out of the shop in a couple of weeks. And yes,I will be filming spring salmon fishing. So looking forward to showing that. Have a great day 🌤 😀 👍🐟🎣

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Sounds awesome!

[@ericelmer5289]

So I did mine exactly like you except now the spout on top one of two but the one on the left. If you follow the hose it goes over a hose connection and it leaves an open hole for me where gas flows out and now the motor won’t run. Is gas suppose to even go up that spout? Is it a vapor hose or is the end of the hose supposed to be plugged

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

I’m not sure based on what you’ve described.

[@ericelmer5289]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE so on top of that vapor canister there’s two outlets that are hooked up to hoses not the one on the far right but the one left of that a hose connects to that and if you follow that hose the plugs in and right underneath it there’s an open hole that is now shooting gas out of it for me. I looked up little part up and it looks like it’s a fuel supply fitting

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@@ericelmer5289 try looking up a schematic on the fuel system. Does not sound like it’s hooked up correctly. Maybe it’s a blocked vent maybe. I’ll look and see what I can find.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

If you look at my video at 12:39 I hook up the fuel return line. The other one is the high pressure line. Is that what you are referring to?

[@ericelmer5289]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE when I pump the bulb putting fuel into the water separator fuel does come out of that spout so when that hose hooks up to it and and the other end hooks up to just a hole the gas comes out now I wonder if that fuel supply piece that I need holds the gas in that line and It doesn’t let it out.

[@marcelobesen4067]

Hello Friend . makes a video on how to remove the thermostatic valve. there is no video talking about it. valve when the engine is heated. let the water pass, do you know what it is?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

I actually did not know there was a thermostatic valve on a outboard motor. But I guess it makes since that there would be one so that your motor can get to operating temperature. I unfortunately do not know anything about that valve. Best of luck to you my friend, thanks for watching.

[@jhbuilders]

Thanks for the video. I bought a glastron ski boat that had a 06 90 optimax. It ran great for the first week then I took my parents out and was idling along and it cut out. Lucky it would start after alot of cracking. But if you tried giving it throttle it would cut out again. I could only make it back idling. I bet this is the problem.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Fingers crossed for you that this fixes it! Let me know!

[@jasonwhiteaker686]

I am having the same symptoms on the same motor. I took the vst apart and the seal is not torn or cracked, but it is tapered looking at the top. Would you think that could still be bad?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Did you replace it? It may look ok but still be bad. It has to seal 100% as it’s the high pressure side so no seal, no high pressure. Check your seals on the low pressure pump as well. I’m not a mechanic just a Google mechanic 😁

[@mateuszbuczynski8009]

Hi I have problem fuel pump blows fuse high presure pomp when I take off power from.swith to high presure pomp the fuse not dead

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

I’d guess you have a short somewhere, check wires!

[@drakeastro8131]

Its amazing how much outboard parts are. My lower unit drain screw was $30

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Dao Thao , wow! And those are easy to strip...good to know that they cost that much!

[@xuxothao7199]

Ok I have spark but it won’t turn over swap the Cdi clean the spark plug what did you besides clean the the fuel pump system

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Xuxo Thao go to 11:43 mark and you’ll see the part I replaced.

[@steelhammer365]

Great video! Just wonder if you remember where the black and red wires go on the low pressure pump? I just pulled mine apart and the wires came of or were off before I could see where they go

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

I’m not sure, let me look and I’ll get back to you

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Look at 6:09 and see if that helps

[@steelhammer365]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE perfect. I knew I had seen the info somewhere. thanks again. it also turns out that the spade connectors are 2 different sizes so its hard to mix up

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@@steelhammer365 I love it when design engineers make our life easier!

[@Johnx961]

Excellent vid, must have helped a lot of people including myself.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Awesome that this helped you out!

[@mehdiellouze4987]

Another Question, When I start my Optimax 90 HP either with muffs or when I Put it inside a barrel the water is not coming from telltale if I did not put gases in the remote control, Should I wait some few minutes? It is your case also?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

It should not take long for water to stream out, you should replace your water impeller every other season at a minimum. Mine was past due in this video. I’ve got another video on replacing the impeller, check it out.

[@lamarstewart8512]

Excellent video😊

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@@lamarstewart8512 thanks, hope it helps!

[@eemelinenonen7551]

Same broblem 250xs 2005. BIG Thanks to you!!!😇🙂. Allso is good idea buy new lowpressure fuelpump rubber seal.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Glad I could help! Thanks for watching!

[@mehdiellouze4987]

Greate Video, I have the same outboard as you, Optimax 90 HP. When you run the outboard you are using the flush port instead of the muffs for water cooling. Is it correct? is it recommended by Mercury?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

No, actually someone committed that I should not do that...I use muffs only now. I don’t think it hurt anything but better safe and use muffs like I’ve always done! Thanks for watching!

[@Whimsical007]

Hi, i have the same outboard and i think same problem..i changed the water separator and right after that the outboard start and after few minutes stops for many times... till now it doesnt start anymore..i was thinking that when i changed the separator could some dirt get inside im not sure! does it help if i do same maintenance as you did? thank you

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

It is probably this item I highlighted in the video. The rubber ring part number 8M6000589

[@Whimsical007]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE thank you..i will try to change it and see what happens

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@@Whimsical007 this is the moment when I descovered the issue, may be helpful kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXSyoJuQhth5pKM

[@Whimsical007]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE i dont think it this part because i have this same probleme as here kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpuogGOwhdmjrpI

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Mehdi Bourouael oh, yes, mine would not start at all! That’s an easy fix, hope the parts not too expensive! Best of luck!

[@BSFarm97]

Great video, FYI you are not supposed to run the motor with the water hose hooked up to the flush. My dealer told me to always use the cuffs at the bottom!!!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Yes! After posting this video I learned this info! I always use the muffs now, I am curious as to why? But I haven’t researched the answer to that yet. Thanks for watching and for the heads up!

[@Dr.MarineTV]

You probably damaged the rubber impeller without ear muffs on the lower unit water pump pick ups...

[@greauxpete]

Doesn't an optimax have a 10 micron fuel filter before the vst? If so, Not sure how that got there aside from a filter anomaly. I would have changed out the float needle while I had it apart. As u saw, Vst is like a big float bowl that keeps the fuel pumps submerged (similar to carb float bowl). Can't believe that rubber seal is 20 bux... Gotta love it when you get her firing again..

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

greauxpete , I didn’t see any debris past the filter, so it did its job. Good suggestion on the needle and seat, next time... thanks for watching!

[@tombauer1645]

Thank you so much for this video. I had a water in fuel alert and the Users Manual just showed disconnecting the hose and loosening the screw to drain the filter chamber. I only got about a teaspoon of water, no fuel. I suspected I needed to loosen the filter. Your video showed what happens when you used a screw driver to try and loosen the filter. I called a retired Mercury mechanic just down the road and asked if he still had his Mercury gas filter tool and yes I could borrow it. It was still a struggle to loosen that filter with a 3/8" ratchet drive. The manual suggests oiling the O-ring seals. I wonder if a little wheel grease would be better? I scanned Error Icons and their meanings from my Smartcraft User Manual. Is there some way I could share them? Mine is a 90 hp 2005. Tom Bauer

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Glad this video help! It makes my day when I hear about someone getting use out of my video! I don’t think there’s a way to share them on KZbin. I’d be happy to get a copy if you could send it to [e-mail] thanks!

[@stewatparkpark2933]

You can make that rubber seal on the high pressure pump out of high pressure fuel injection fuel hose .

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Good to know! Thanks for watching!

[@joshradford1989]

What was that part number for the o ring for the top of the pump.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

It’s 8M6000589. Thanks for watching!

[@joshradford1989]

Eric’s BBQ And MORE! RHA ks for putting the video out. My boat stopped on me Saturday. Fire on all three cylinders and I bought two brand new pumps and still nothing but I took it back apart and that print was cracked on both sides so I’m hoping that will solve this. Thanks again.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

joshradford1989 if that rubber is cracked it won’t let the pumps to pressurize and won’t push the gas thru the injectors. I’m sure this will fix your problem! Fingers crossed for you.

[@joshradford1989]

Wow I just seen my auto corrected spelling. The rubber is cracked on both sides. I’ll know by this time tomorrow.

[@joshradford1989]

It started and runs well. Super thanks for the video. You literally saved me hundreds of dollars and a long wait at the boat mechanic.

[@scottlawson4895]

What was it doing before you fixed it ?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Scott Lawson, it was cranking but would not fire. It had spark, so I knew it was a fuel issue.

[@mehdiellouze4987]

What are the dimensions of your boat, its weight also ? How many knots you can reach ?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Our pontoon is 22 foot and goes about 20 MPH or 17.38 knots 😁. I’m it sure on the weight.

[@mehdiellouze4987]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE thank you, the weight is 2200 pound :)

[@terrywilson1813]

I was able to get mine running too I couldn't have done it without KZbin because I'm not a mechanic. Anything can be fixed it's just identifying the problem and having the knowledge on how to

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Terry Wilson hell yeah! Isn’t it the best feeling fixing something yourself and saving a bunch on money!

[@terrywilson1813]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE Yeah it makes you feel like the man

[@KR-go4yx]

I always put ethanol free gas from the start. I have a 2014 optimax 90hp and haven't had any issues yet.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

K R You are doing it right for sure! Wish I knew then what I know now. Thanks for watching!

[@bradreese2270]

What were your motor symptoms before your did this repair?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Brad Reese crank but no start, spark was good but it seemed like no fuel. Hope this helps.

[@anwarmoss4759]

Whats that part # for the high pressure pump?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

My manual is at the lake, did you ask Saint Google?

[@soloboatinggeraldarchibald2388]

Could that be the cause of boggling in the engine at a high RPM? Loss of power.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

It could be a sign that that rubber part is starting to go. Mine just would not start at all, so I’m not sure. I’d suspect it could be something else because it needs pressure to push gas thru the injectors. Maybe the fuel pump is going out?

[@joshradford1989]

Mine bogged at full throttle some and then was weak out of the hole then I quit and would not start. I replaced the rubber seal and she came back to life like brand new. It’s a $20 part that could save you hundreds worth a try regardless.

[@MrSapinhopreto]

mine goes up to 4000 RPM all good but once i try to pass it it starts to wiggle and goes into continuous beep until i take down the throttle a little ... on the pc reading is says "Abusive Maneuver Stage 1" if i keep the throttle at same pace it will shut down the engine from working until the beep goes down and the pc read shows "Abusive Maneuver Stage 2" ... so my question is will this fix my problem ? or replacing the fuel pump ? thanks guys

[@soloboatinggeraldarchibald2388]

@@MrSapinhopreto to resolve my issue, I did several things. Bypass oil sensor, replace MAP sensor, replaced thermostat and potter valve, new seals on my air compressor, serviced fuel and air injectors. No fuel issue. I went all in and to this day I’m turn key and go!

[@MrSapinhopreto]

@@soloboatinggeraldarchibald2388 what’s MAP sensor ? Glad to hear that all went well !

[@walterdacruzsantos6213]

VERY NICE VIDEO ,TKS FOR , HELPED A LOT

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Walter da Cruz Santos , thanks for watching, glad I could help!

[@cramos6638]

I just did a fuel filter change and ran it for a hour and ran perfect. Now that im on vacation with the boat. It won't go past 3000rpm 😭😭🤬🤬😡 any suggestions?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Does it run rough? Does it idle ok? Could be unrelated to fuel and maybe just a linkage issue.

[@cramos6638]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE no it turns on & runs fine up to 3000 rpm . The boat won't plane & go past 3000rpm. It's just weird because it ran perfectly a week ago. Now that I'm on vacation this happens 😭

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Check your throttle linkage to make sure you are getting wide open throttle. That sucks that this happened while on vacation!

[@cramos6638]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE yes it does but I will for sure check that when I get back home to Los Angeles. Thanks for the fast reply. We really appreciate your time to reply to us that can use your help

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@@cramos6638 also check the fuel lines are not pinched. And make sure the filter is fully seated. If there is a air leak in the fuel system it could limit the RPMs. Best of luck!

[@zachwalls461]

Hello from Louisville ky

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Well hi…👋

[@raddestraven]

Get some earmuffs, it is not good to run the engine on the flush fitting, it is for when you get home late at night and don't want to wake your neighbors.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

I had no idea that was not good on the engine. I have earmuffs, this was actually the first time I used the flush fitting. I’ll use the muffs going forward.

[@darrellgoss9291]

i think that was one heck of a good video.

[@marcelobesen4067]

friend makes video. to remove thermostatic valve

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

hmmm...i don't know what you are saying/asking.

[@marcelobesen4067]

Hello Friend . makes a video on how to remove the thermostatic valve. there is no video talking about it. valve when the engine is heated. let the water pass, do you know what it is?

[@143Chippy143]

Time for a water pump next, that's a very weak stream.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Great observation, I'll be replacing that next spring...maybe another video idea! Thanks for watching!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

FYI I did replace my impeller last week, still running strong!

[@BorossAngkor]

Dude gas and sparks don't play well together :)

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

I know, could have been bad!