Optimax won't start

Jake Posted 4/6/2008 9:27 AM (#68066) Subject: Optimax won't start Yesterday while fishing my 150 opti died while running . Luckily it happened right in front of the landing on my way back in . This was the 3rd trip of the year so far and it ran fine up until then . Then all of a sudden while going about 1/2 throttel it just kinda gurgled and quit. Kinda like it's not getting gas. It will crank when I turn the key but just won't fire . Any help is welcome pete619 Posted 4/6/2008 9:45 AM (#68067 - in reply to #68066) Subject: RE: Optimax won't start Member Posts: 23 What year opti? Do you have smartcraft? Sunshine Posted 4/6/2008 11:19 AM (#68070 - in reply to #68067) Subject: Re: Optimax won't start Member Posts: 2393 Location: Waukesha Wisconsin Are you using last years gas? It could be bad gas. Check the fuel filter. Any crimped hoses? Is the bulb hard? Did you pull a plug to see if it looked clean? Sounds like a fuel problem. Jake Posted 4/6/2008 2:02 PM (#68076 - in reply to #68066) Subject: RE: Optimax won't start It's a 1998 . No smartcraft gauges. Some gas from last year that was stabled and fresh gas from this year. Kicker runs off the same gas and it runs fine. Have not pulled the plugs but would that cause it to just quit while running at 3000 rpms or so ? I mean no alarms or warnings. Would a bad fuel pump do this? Any idea how many $$$$ it takes to replace a fuel pump? Thanks all Brad B Posted 4/6/2008 5:31 PM (#68078 - in reply to #68066) Subject: Re: Optimax won't start Member Posts: 617 Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin The 1998 150 hp Opti was and is a very good engine. Personally, I suggest taking it into a dealer and having them hook it up to the diagnostic machine. Most places won't charge much to do this and if the tech knows what they are doing, they can save you a TON of time. pete619 Posted 4/6/2008 6:21 PM (#68081 - in reply to #68067) Subject: RE: Optimax won't start Member Posts: 23 Does your fuel primer bulb stay pressurized or is it soft when your trying to start the motor? Make sure you have fuel pressure at the engine by squeezing the bulb. Does your kicker line have T or is it a separate fuel line? Check the easy(and cheap) stuff first. Do you have any kind of inline fuel filter outside the motor? Jake Posted 4/6/2008 6:52 PM (#68084 - in reply to #68066) Subject: RE: Optimax won't start The bulb stays hard and there are no filters outside the motor. I removed the filter thats under the cowl and have gas to there. Thanks Brad B Posted 4/6/2008 6:54 PM (#68085 - in reply to #68066) Subject: Re: Optimax won't start Member Posts: 617 Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin KILL SWITCH???? fishnfool Posted 4/7/2008 6:32 AM (#68094 - in reply to #68066) Subject: RE: Optimax won't start One problem I see a lot is that the harness that goes from the helm to the motor seperates check that I dont think its a fuel problem you would have noticed missing and sputtering earlier Dying Opti Posted 4/7/2008 10:30 AM (#68106 - in reply to #68066) Subject: RE: Optimax won't start I had a similar experience on an evinrude DI motor, it was the fuel pump. Big O Posted 4/8/2008 9:39 AM (#68140 - in reply to #68066) Subject: Re: Optimax won't start Member Posts: 149 Location: Appleton, WI Take a GOOD look at your kill switch, Jake Posted 4/8/2008 7:24 PM (#68158 - in reply to #68066) Subject: RE: Optimax won't start Thanks to everyone that took the time to reply. I took it in to the doctor today. It ended up being a $13 relay box. All's well that ends well. Thanks again