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Author Topic:   Mercury OptiMax Alarm

moneill412 posted 08-24-2008 08:49 PM ET (US)
I was running my dual Mercury 150 OptiMax engines around 3,200 RPM and the fuel injector audible [aural alarm] came on the port side engine. Obviously very alarming. I turned off the engine and re-started and everything seemed to be OK. This happened twice while out. Can anyone offer any insight? Unfortunately, the boat nor engines came with a manual, and I don't want to pay top dollar for a mechanic to look at it
glen e posted 08-24-2008 08:53 PM ET (US)
Check the [batteries]. They must be at 12.4-volts or higher at rest, Get them tested at an auto parts store. Get a maunal here and read it twice:

https://appcenter.mercurymarine.com/litreq/orderForm.jsp?type=ob
jimh posted 08-25-2008 08:36 AM ET (US)
If it was an aural alarm, how did you interpret it so as to narrow the problem to a fuel injector, particularly since you said you did not have a manaul?
moneill412 posted 08-25-2008 01:01 PM ET (US)
Apologies...It was an alarm and my dashboard for the port side engine lite up with "fuel injector" I'm not sure what the issue could be..I'm going to check the batteries but I have a feeling there both good...Any insight?
seabob4 posted 08-26-2008 08:46 PM ET (US)
Glen is quite correct about battery voltages and strength. The Smartcraft and DTS systems (although I don't think you have DTS) are EXTREMELY dependent on proper battery voltage, as well as proper connections at all the plugs.
I would recommend to all newer Opti and Verado owners that if you don't have an onboard battery charger, buy one, and use it after every trip. Good batteries will solve a lot of "non" problems. This is straight from Merc Engineering/OEM cust. serv.
msl posted 09-15-2008 03:30 PM ET (US)
I have had similar issues with my twins, which I do run hard. I would check the popit valve screw, if this screw is not tight you will over heat & fry the fuel rail. Thermostats are located at the top of the powerhead, follow the hoses off of the thermostats down around to popit valve cover. you will need to remove the lower cowling,this area is tight and covered by relay switches for the powertrim (there should be three relay switches, remove the bolts to the relays) this will allow you to see the cover which holds the popit valve. Hook water up to the motor and allow your water presure to build, there should be no water coming from this cover (there is a small hole located on this cover where water can leak out). If there is water coming out of the pee hole you either have a bad popit valve or the screw that holds the popit valve to the cover could be lose. When the popit valve is not holding this will cause your fuel rail to heat up or melt your top piston, your motor should go into guardian mode before any of this happens. I was able to see water leaking thru the lower cowling which was odd and brought this problem to my attention. This total blew my mind, but sloved my issues.

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Author	Topic: Mercury OptiMax Alarm
moneill412	posted 08-24-2008 08:49 PM ET (US) I was running my dual Mercury 150 OptiMax engines around 3,200 RPM and the fuel injector audible [aural alarm] came on the port side engine. Obviously very alarming. I turned off the engine and re-started and everything seemed to be OK. This happened twice while out. Can anyone offer any insight? Unfortunately, the boat nor engines came with a manual, and I don't want to pay top dollar for a mechanic to look at it
glen e	posted 08-24-2008 08:53 PM ET (US) Check the [batteries]. They must be at 12.4-volts or higher at rest, Get them tested at an auto parts store. Get a maunal here and read it twice: https://appcenter.mercurymarine.com/litreq/orderForm.jsp?type=ob
jimh	posted 08-25-2008 08:36 AM ET (US) If it was an aural alarm, how did you interpret it so as to narrow the problem to a fuel injector, particularly since you said you did not have a manaul?
moneill412	posted 08-25-2008 01:01 PM ET (US) Apologies...It was an alarm and my dashboard for the port side engine lite up with "fuel injector" I'm not sure what the issue could be..I'm going to check the batteries but I have a feeling there both good...Any insight?
seabob4	posted 08-26-2008 08:46 PM ET (US) Glen is quite correct about battery voltages and strength. The Smartcraft and DTS systems (although I don't think you have DTS) are EXTREMELY dependent on proper battery voltage, as well as proper connections at all the plugs. I would recommend to all newer Opti and Verado owners that if you don't have an onboard battery charger, buy one, and use it after every trip. Good batteries will solve a lot of "non" problems. This is straight from Merc Engineering/OEM cust. serv.
msl	posted 09-15-2008 03:30 PM ET (US) I have had similar issues with my twins, which I do run hard. I would check the popit valve screw, if this screw is not tight you will over heat & fry the fuel rail. Thermostats are located at the top of the powerhead, follow the hoses off of the thermostats down around to popit valve cover. you will need to remove the lower cowling,this area is tight and covered by relay switches for the powertrim (there should be three relay switches, remove the bolts to the relays) this will allow you to see the cover which holds the popit valve. Hook water up to the motor and allow your water presure to build, there should be no water coming from this cover (there is a small hole located on this cover where water can leak out). If there is water coming out of the pee hole you either have a bad popit valve or the screw that holds the popit valve to the cover could be lose. When the popit valve is not holding this will cause your fuel rail to heat up or melt your top piston, your motor should go into guardian mode before any of this happens. I was able to see water leaking thru the lower cowling which was odd and brought this problem to my attention. This total blew my mind, but sloved my issues.