texasfishingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Power-Pole CS, T-Rigger, JoeGoes, EcKo
119150 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
hopalong 120,590
TexDawg 119,534
Bigbob_FTW 94,918
John175☮ 85,894
Pilothawk 83,264
Bob Davis 81,566
Mark Perry 72,297
Derek 🐝 68,313
JDavis7873 67,416
Forum Statistics
Forums59
Topics1,037,879
Posts13,935,963
Members144,150
Most Online39,925
Dec 30th, 2023
Print Thread
150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke #13702632 09/16/20 09:19 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 371
F
FishinAg02 Offline OP
Angler
OP Offline
Angler
F
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 371
I am a little put out!

I bought a new to me boat this summer from a lawyer who obviously didn't know much about boats, it's a 2011 Nitro X7 Sport. The boat is in phenomenal shape, clean all over. Previous owner had it serviced right before i bought it and provided all the paperwork.

Have run approximately 4-5 tanks through it already, and it runs great with the exception that it dies easily at low idle. Neighbor has the same motor and told me he had a similar problem, check spark plugs, wires, etc. I did and found no issues. Found a small oil leak upon returning from the lake a couple of weeks ago and took it to the shop and asked the mechanic to take a look at the motor to determine the idle issue as well as address the oil leak.

He called me back today and here is what he has found... Cylinder compression ranges from 100-110 on all cylinders except for one which is 90. So none are good, which seems hard to believe. Should be 120. Motor has only 53 hrs on it (i'm totally shocked!!!!). I've put 20 to 30 hrs on it this summer! That means the previous owner only put 20-30hrs on the boat over 9yrs. Mechanic believes i need a re-built powerhead, cylinders rusted from sitting too long without being run, rings are sticking, etc. His recommendation? Find a used motor and swap out and sell this one. He said if he puts motor into break-in mode and double oils, it runs fine and doesn't die at all (other than smoke a lot), which confirms his rusty cylinder conclusion.

Holy [censored]... not at all what i expected.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I am lost for words?

David


David Norwood
Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '02
Cell - 346-347-0177
Re: 150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke [Re: FishinAg02] #13702642 09/16/20 09:28 PM
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11,977
tmd11111 Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11,977
Find a new mechanic. In the mean time soak each cylinder top with some power tune then run a can or two through it. The do a new compression test with the engine warm and the throttle fully open. If compression is better I'd look at having the injectors cleaned. Sitting for several years the fuel in them more then likely turned to varnish in them and they are not flowing properly.

Re: 150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke [Re: FishinAg02] #13702668 09/16/20 10:15 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Alumacraft 14 Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
I had a friend with a 90 similar issue. I put automatic transmission fluid in the cylinder, I put about 1 tablespoon. Let it soak for 2 days. I then used a suction tool to remove most of the fluid. Then pulled all plugs. Spark plug boots wrapped in plastic and turned the motor over to push the rest out of the cylinder. The at restored compression by freeing the rings.

You can buy a bore scope off amazon for bout 30 bucks and take a look in the cylinders yourself. I would try this first before replacing a power head.

Re: 150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke [Re: FishinAg02] #13702756 09/17/20 12:26 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 371
F
FishinAg02 Offline OP
Angler
OP Offline
Angler
F
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 371
Anybody have a mechanic they would recommend in the west Houston area?


David Norwood
Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '02
Cell - 346-347-0177
Re: 150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke [Re: FishinAg02] #13703241 09/17/20 02:53 PM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,336
B
boatman025 Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
B
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,336
May try Sport Marine, are Acie Outboard


Hughes Marine
3855 Osage Lane
Wylie ,Texas
Re: 150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke [Re: FishinAg02] #13703454 09/17/20 06:54 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 371
F
FishinAg02 Offline OP
Angler
OP Offline
Angler
F
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 371
Okay, an update with additional information.

Mechanic said the engine has over 3000 second of operation in low oil alarm, plus, what i thought was a lower unit seal leak, was actually an oil leak on the direct injection system. Most likely the cylinder with the lowest compression (90 psi) has been starved oil (we are assuming the leak is on that line). The mechanic said it has been leaking oil for "years", it was dried and caked all the way down the lower cowling.

It appears the original owner would run the motor until he heard the low oil alarm and then he would top off the emergency tank on the side of the motor, never once filling the main oil reservoir in the boat.

I feel sick about it all and taken advantage of by the original owner who talked all about the servicing he had done on the motor, etc. Which now seems like total BS.


David Norwood
Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '02
Cell - 346-347-0177
Re: 150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke [Re: FishinAg02] #13703697 09/18/20 12:51 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Alumacraft 14 Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Dang. That sucks. Time to buy a motor.

Re: 150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke [Re: FishinAg02] #13703971 09/18/20 12:29 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,287
D
Dubee Offline
TFF Celebrity
Offline
TFF Celebrity
D
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,287
This is why you always have a mechanic check it out before you buy

Re: 150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke [Re: FishinAg02] #13704195 09/18/20 03:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 371
F
FishinAg02 Offline OP
Angler
OP Offline
Angler
F
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 371
yep, i agree. i was a poor decision not to have it checked out. In december, I bought a used vehicle and took it to a mechanic for a thorough inspection... why wouldn't I do that with a boat? Again, poor decision.

David


David Norwood
Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '02
Cell - 346-347-0177
Re: 150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke [Re: FishinAg02] #13712866 09/27/20 01:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,644
D
Droyhef Offline
TFF Team Angler
Offline
TFF Team Angler
D
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,644
You should really get a second opinion. He is probably right but new motors and good used ones arent cheap. If you get a second opinion do not tell the next mechanic anything about what the first one told you. You mite get a completely different opinion. To me, just me, having 5 at 100-110 is fine. That 90 may be an issue, but id let another guy look at it and see what he finds. Your story should be this motor runs good excpet it dies at idle. I would be suspect of being told trash the motor if the only issue is rough idle. The fellow may be being honest, but sometimes honest people make mistakes. Just my opinion. You wount have anything but parts value in that motor if you resale it and are honest with a buyer.


http://www.texasmegafishadventures.com
Guided rod and reel fishing trips for Alligator gar on the Trinity River as well as some other places
903-721-4296
dawson@texasmegafishadventures.com
Re: 150HP Mercury Optimax Pro XS 2-stroke [Re: FishinAg02] #13716015 09/30/20 10:54 AM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,364
B
Bullet[BS] Offline
TFF Team Angler
Offline
TFF Team Angler
B
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,364
My Yamaha 200HP failed, it had 2 bad pistons no other hard part damage. It cost me close to 4200 to fix parts & labor with a 1 year warranty. It will cost you close to 8k to replace the outboard (would have cost me) so you have really 2 options you either fix it or you sell the boat really and take a HUGE soaking. If the rest of it is in good shape like mine was get it rebuilt by someone local. Don't buy one from out of State, there are several out there especially in Florida. Now my guy is up in Azel, Tx and I really like the work he did for me. I do not know anyone down there I'm sorry. But I am as happy as can be with my rig and my decision. I hope this helps.


When in doubt SET THE HOOK!
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 1998-2022 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3