Topic: Temp Question…Merc Optimax

This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 3 months ago by laps19.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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March 13, 2015 at 11:30 pm #289660

70ss496
Participant

Running a 2002 Opti. I have only had it a couple months and dont know its characteristics yet. I always have been letting it warm up to 120 before takeoff. The water has been about 38 degrees Im running in. The motor running down the lake runs around 89 degrees. Is that ok or an indication of something in the thermostat? I just had a water pump put in and the stats checked but thought maybe I sucked something in there. Is it just the cold water?

March 14, 2015 at 12:51 am #289661

Sheff
Participant

While running the thermostats are bypassed by water pressure opening the the poppit valve. Just ensure you let it warm and possibly see the thermostats cycle and you should be fine. Mine was at 100 today running in 46* water on Gville.

March 14, 2015 at 1:11 am #289662

Basscat36
Participant

perfectly fine, the most important thing is to let it reach operating temp before taking off. Im not sure if it makes a difference or not, but I also let my temp stabilize before I shut the motor off when I reach my fishing spot.

March 14, 2015 at 6:41 pm #289663

grybrd
Participant

Basscat36 wrote:perfectly fine, the most important thing is to let it reach operating temp before taking off. Im not sure if it makes a difference or not, but I also let my temp stabilize before I shut the motor off when I reach my fishing spot.Both of these procedures are crucial to the long term viability of your motor. The old motors used to tolerate chopping the throttle and being at the TM before the boat came to a halt. Not so with an Opti. They will heat soak and do bad things. The warm-up is crucial because the piston and ring clearances change in a cold motor compared to a properly warmed one.Also…do not forget to clean the compressor water strainer. A dirty strainer will cost you a compressor and all the associated nastiness.

March 17, 2015 at 2:37 am #289664

Bluepantera.basscatowners
Participant

How long would you estimate the engune needs to idle at the ramp to come up to 120*?

March 17, 2015 at 2:59 am #289665

70ss496
Participant

If I put mine in the water by the time I get back down to the dock its warmed up usually. About 5 or 6 minutes and mine has reached 120-125. Water was 48 degrees this weekend and it ran around 90 or so when running down the water.

March 17, 2015 at 11:38 pm #289666

Bluepantera.basscatowners
Participant

Thanks! Where I put in I have about 3 or 4 minutes just to idle out to the no wake zone. Sounds like that should be enough.

March 17, 2015 at 11:42 pm #289667

laps19
Participant

When you have something stuck in the thermostat it wont usually warm up mine gets to about a 109 (the couple of times it has happened to me.Mike
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