Optimax 135, should it rev freely on earmuffs?

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  Optimax 135, should it rev freely on earmuffs?

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Author Topic:   Optimax 135, should it rev freely on earmuffs?

JW_Spencer posted 03-31-2014 05:07 PM ET (US)
Should I be able to rev my Optimax 135 when on the earmuffs?
De-winterizing, changed plugs on 2004 Optimax 135 (OEM spec). Starts up and seems to idle fine, revs 1,000 - 2,000 - ~2,500 runs fine, and then somewhere at or above 2,500 rpms, alarm starts sounding and it runs rough as though on limited cylinders (perhaps limited fuel or limp mode?) The oil tank on the motor are adequately filled, it looks to be making water real nice.
I did not drain the tank this winter, I followed some different advice, and topped it off and treated it with Stabil (this always worked with my old carbureted Yamaha) The fuel is Ethanol free. I am hoping that this is not the problem.
I followed some incorrect advice and fogged the motor for winterization, spraying into the intake as well as the cylinders. Not recommended by Mercury ( I have read speculation this could clog the DFI.
Is there a decent Optimax forum? A brief search did not look promising.
Is there a computer download tool/dongle and program to extract error codes that is available to the public. I have one for my Audi and it has saved me buckets of money. It's nice to be self sufficient.

Whaleofatime posted 04-01-2014 01:47 AM ET (US)
Try checking your battery connections on both sides. (engine & battery connections). Low voltage has been known to cause this. Good Luck.
outragesteve posted 04-01-2014 02:05 PM ET (US)
"Ear muffs" use is limited to flushing the engine, at an idle/fast idle. You should not "rev" the engine on muffs. The alarm is probably the over heat alarm, and the engine is going into "limp" mode. Check you owner's manual for the Mercury recommended flushing procedures. Good luck!
sosmerc posted 04-03-2014 12:39 AM ET (US)
Optimax engines have a "neutral speed limiter". If you exceed the factory set limit, this will trip a fault code in the computer and sound the alarm. Running ANY outboard at high rpm without a load on the engine is asking for trouble.
JW_Spencer posted 04-03-2014 08:57 PM ET (US)
Neutral speed limiter, that is good news in a number of ways. Thank you for this, I will proceed to testing it in the water.
jws

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Author	Topic: Optimax 135, should it rev freely on earmuffs?
JW_Spencer	posted 03-31-2014 05:07 PM ET (US) Should I be able to rev my Optimax 135 when on the earmuffs? De-winterizing, changed plugs on 2004 Optimax 135 (OEM spec). Starts up and seems to idle fine, revs 1,000 - 2,000 - ~2,500 runs fine, and then somewhere at or above 2,500 rpms, alarm starts sounding and it runs rough as though on limited cylinders (perhaps limited fuel or limp mode?) The oil tank on the motor are adequately filled, it looks to be making water real nice. I did not drain the tank this winter, I followed some different advice, and topped it off and treated it with Stabil (this always worked with my old carbureted Yamaha) The fuel is Ethanol free. I am hoping that this is not the problem. I followed some incorrect advice and fogged the motor for winterization, spraying into the intake as well as the cylinders. Not recommended by Mercury ( I have read speculation this could clog the DFI. Is there a decent Optimax forum? A brief search did not look promising. Is there a computer download tool/dongle and program to extract error codes that is available to the public. I have one for my Audi and it has saved me buckets of money. It's nice to be self sufficient.
Whaleofatime	posted 04-01-2014 01:47 AM ET (US) Try checking your battery connections on both sides. (engine & battery connections). Low voltage has been known to cause this. Good Luck.
outragesteve	posted 04-01-2014 02:05 PM ET (US) "Ear muffs" use is limited to flushing the engine, at an idle/fast idle. You should not "rev" the engine on muffs. The alarm is probably the over heat alarm, and the engine is going into "limp" mode. Check you owner's manual for the Mercury recommended flushing procedures. Good luck!
sosmerc	posted 04-03-2014 12:39 AM ET (US) Optimax engines have a "neutral speed limiter". If you exceed the factory set limit, this will trip a fault code in the computer and sound the alarm. Running ANY outboard at high rpm without a load on the engine is asking for trouble.
JW_Spencer	posted 04-03-2014 08:57 PM ET (US) Neutral speed limiter, that is good news in a number of ways. Thank you for this, I will proceed to testing it in the water. jws