Author
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Topic: 2004 OptiMax: SmartCraft Gauge Warning: CHECK PITOT
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kline |
posted 07-31-2005 11:10 PM ET (US)
I had a CHECK PITOT message come up on my Smartcraft gauges on my 2004 135-HP Mercury Optimax. Has any one any experience or information on this? The engine ran fine. I idled down. Checked everything I could. Put her back on plane, and cruised home. Looking in the manual, CHECK PITOT refers to water pressure. Any information? Thanks, Steve
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Chuck Tribolet
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posted 07-31-2005 11:57 PM ET (US)
The pitot tube is an opening on the front of the lower unit. It's used to measure speed. The faster you go, the harder the water pushes into the hole, and there's presumably a sensor behind it somewhere that senses speed.Best guess is that something has obstructed the hole or the tube behind it. This confused the engine management computer because it thought it was doing everything to make lots of power, but the sensor behind the pitot tube said it wasn't going very fast. They may use the speed sensor to give it a little extra torque (more advance, richer, +++) at high throttle opening and low speed to get more holes shot. It's also possible that the sensor has died or a wire has come off it. In any event, it's Merc's problem as your engine is still on warantee, right? Chuck
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jimh
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posted 08-01-2005 12:17 AM ET (US)
I am surprised the manual does have more information to help you interpret the warning message. I would assume the message is instructing you to check the PITOT opening on the engine. The PITOT opening is probably located on the leading edge of the lower unit and looks like a small hole. Perhaps it is blocked by some debris and the sensor is not getting any pressure differential. |
tombro
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posted 08-01-2005 08:49 AM ET (US)
Happens all the time to me with my new Verado 225 on New Jersey's Barnegat Bay. The excessive sea grass is the culprit. I noticed it in particular yesterday, as I trimmed the motor out of the water in my slip. The tube had several pieces of the long grass hanging out. Usually works out on it's own. My speedometer on the dash usually reads fine...although I trust the GPS more. |
kline
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posted 08-01-2005 10:16 AM ET (US)
Thanks to all. I flushed the engine for a good long while when I got home. I will investigate the front of the lower unit. If the warning comes on again I will probabaly get it checked. I hate to take it in and not be able to use her.My speed (by gps) was not affected throughout the rpm range. Safe boating! Steve |
TightlinesPE
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posted 08-01-2005 10:50 AM ET (US)
I have had CHECK PITOT SPD (or speed)on the System View for twin 250 Verados. I don't know why I get it, but one time the speed went down to about 20 mph when I was really doing about 35 so I think grass and such from weed lines out here gets stuck in it and clears it with speed. If it continues, when I shut the motors down and hit the ignition buttons, it turns the System View off and resets it. If this is the paddle wheel that detects speed, just shut everything down and your smart craft should reset, however, I know Verado system does this, Smartcraft for OptiMax may...do they make DTS for the 135? |
bkloss
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posted 08-01-2005 01:34 PM ET (US)
2004 135 Optimax - same problem; it's the paddle wheel/dauntless 180. If it even detects the smallest amount of kelp/seaweed; it shows "check pitot". The only way to clear it is to shut the system down to reset the gauge. Anybody know of another way to clear the gauge rather than shutting down the whole system? Sometimes its not real ideal to shutdown everything - dead in the water, to clear the gauge especially in a heavy traffic lane. |
LHG
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posted 08-01-2005 02:34 PM ET (US)
The engine mounted pitot pick up's in the engine lower unit get clogged up occasionally, especially if you hit a piece of floating wood, palm branch, etc. Sometimes they will self clear, but sometimes you have to use a safety pin or stiff wire to clear it out. |
kline
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posted 08-04-2005 09:59 AM ET (US)
Thanks I checked the hole and it was caked with something. I cleaned it out with a pin. I can't get out until this weekend, but hopefully it will be ok. Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Steve |
Tango
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posted 05-08-2007 10:39 PM ET (US)
I have been dealing with this false alert problem on my 135 for some time. I have about 375 engine hrs. Once it's on plane it runs fine. Thank you guys. I will clean the PITOT. |
Tango
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posted 05-10-2007 11:11 PM ET (US)
I hung off the dock and cleaned the PITOT with a safety pin. Someting was growing in there. Took a few minutes to clear. Put 4 hours on the engine , today. Thanks again. |
Scott Grey
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posted 05-20-2007 12:25 AM ET (US)
My dealer had a tool for cleaning this hole out. It was a stiff piece of wire about 12" long with a little loop bent on one end and a larger loop on the other end. I wade one out of a large paper clip that works just fine. |