Excellent video, I have the exact same motor and year. My marine shop use to winterize for a reasonable fee but they moved so I'm on my own going forward now. Thanks for this!.....also I've had my 115 Optimax (on a Keywest 176) for 15 seasons now and only had to replace one coil so far...been a great motor...cheers
This motor has been solid for me the last 13 years as well. I also had to replace a coil and the neutral switch. Other than that, I have only done general maintenance and that's it. Glad I was able to help. Thanks for watching!
Thanks! Gotta do this soon for the first time. Should I get everything that mercury recommends in their manual for winter I still or is there some unnecessary things?
I would follow the steps I outlined in this video which is in line with what Mercury recommends. The number 1 item, make sure you remove water inside the motor so it doesn't freeze and make sure you use some sort of fuel stabilizer. Some of the optional items are changing the spark plugs (depending on hrs) and the water impeller. I typically monitor the water impeller, as long as the water outlet is a strong steady stream, I leave it alone. Glad I was able to help, thanks for watching and good luck winterizing your motor.
VERY IMPORTANT: YOU DO NOT SPRAY STORAGE/FOGGING oil in a OPTIMAX!!!! ONLY 1 OZ of Prem Plus 2 Stroke/DFI Oil in each Cylinder. Rotate the Fly Wheel. PROCESS: USE QUIKSTOR or Fuel Stabilizer in the fuel tank system( Run for 20-30 min to make sure it gets through the system). Change lower end Oil, New Gasket washers each time. IF you have done over 300 hours, Check/Change the Impeller. Not every season. depending on usage 2-5 years is normal. Remove Upper and LOWER Cowlings to acces( Fuel Separator/Spark Plugs/ Air Compressor Oil line filter) Remove Spark Plugs and inspect for damage , excessive wear. Replace if necessary. Use a tube and a LArger 4oz injection needle to Squirt ONLY 1 OZ of Prem Plus 2 Stroke/DFI Oil in each Cylinder. Rotate the Fly Wheel.10-15 rotations. Clean out the in line Oil Filter to the Air Compressor. Replacecif Damaged. Most folks don't check this! These engines are at least 14 years OLD!!! Make sure you have cleaned this! Check/Change the Fuel/Water Separator. Change the Red Filter in the VST if you have one. (the QS/Merc Bright red! Dark red/Purple are OEM (Lower Quality)version.) Check/Change the Air Filter in the Cowling. Replace if dirty. Top up Trim Fluid if necessary. Grease all the fittings using Marine Grease. 3-4 locations depending on the steering method. Spray with a little anti corrosion and you are done! Replace Cowling Lower the engine upon Final Storage Remove PROP- Check for fishing line blockage. Clear / Grease the Shaft replace the Prop to 50 F/LBS torque. Remove the batteries for Trickle charging in doors. WINTERIZING COMPLETED
Correct for a Optimax you want to use DFI oil in the cylinders (on this step I show picture of OEM service manual where it shows DFI oil). I mentioned fogging oil or DFI oil as depending on your motor it will be different. With that said, I only add oil in the cylinders if it will sit for months. Anything less than 4 months I don't add any oil to the cylinders.
Where is the air compressor oil line filter located and what part number would be a replacement for a 2008 150 optimax? Also would you know the part number to the fuel filter as well? Thanks!
This Mercury Optimax is a 2 stroke DFI motor so there are no oil changes. You simply add DFI oil to the reservoir and the oil is mixed automatically by the motor and burned off so there is nothing to change.
Excellent video, I have the exact same motor and year. My marine shop use to winterize for a reasonable fee but they moved so I'm on my own going forward now. Thanks for this!.....also I've had my 115 Optimax (on a Keywest 176) for 15 seasons now and only had to replace one coil so far...been a great motor...cheers
This motor has been solid for me the last 13 years as well. I also had to replace a coil and the neutral switch. Other than that, I have only done general maintenance and that's it. Glad I was able to help. Thanks for watching!
Great video man thanks helped me a lot
Glad I was able to help. Thanks for watching!
Great video, thank. you! I have to do this soon and your video will help for sure!
Glad I was able to help. Thanks for watching.
Thank You!
Glad I was able to help. Thanks for watching!
Thanks! Gotta do this soon for the first time. Should I get everything that mercury recommends in their manual for winter I still or is there some unnecessary things?
I would follow the steps I outlined in this video which is in line with what Mercury recommends.
The number 1 item, make sure you remove water inside the motor so it doesn't freeze and make sure you use some sort of fuel stabilizer. Some of the optional items are changing the spark plugs (depending on hrs) and the water impeller. I typically monitor the water impeller, as long as the water outlet is a strong steady stream, I leave it alone. Glad I was able to help, thanks for watching and good luck winterizing your motor.
VERY IMPORTANT: YOU DO NOT SPRAY STORAGE/FOGGING oil in a OPTIMAX!!!! ONLY 1 OZ of Prem Plus 2 Stroke/DFI Oil in each Cylinder. Rotate the Fly Wheel.
PROCESS:
USE QUIKSTOR or Fuel Stabilizer in the fuel tank system( Run for 20-30 min to make sure it gets through the system).
Change lower end Oil, New Gasket washers each time.
IF you have done over 300 hours, Check/Change the Impeller. Not every season. depending on usage 2-5 years is normal.
Remove Upper and LOWER Cowlings to acces( Fuel Separator/Spark Plugs/ Air Compressor Oil line filter)
Remove Spark Plugs and inspect for damage , excessive wear. Replace if necessary.
Use a tube and a LArger 4oz injection needle to Squirt ONLY 1 OZ of Prem Plus 2 Stroke/DFI Oil in each Cylinder. Rotate the Fly Wheel.10-15 rotations.
Clean out the in line Oil Filter to the Air Compressor. Replacecif Damaged. Most folks don't check this! These engines are at least 14 years OLD!!! Make sure you have cleaned this!
Check/Change the Fuel/Water Separator.
Change the Red Filter in the VST if you have one. (the QS/Merc Bright red! Dark red/Purple are OEM (Lower Quality)version.)
Check/Change the Air Filter in the Cowling. Replace if dirty.
Top up Trim Fluid if necessary.
Grease all the fittings using Marine Grease. 3-4 locations depending on the steering method.
Spray with a little anti corrosion and you are done!
Replace Cowling
Lower the engine upon Final Storage
Remove PROP- Check for fishing line blockage. Clear / Grease the Shaft replace the Prop to 50 F/LBS torque.
Remove the batteries for Trickle charging in doors.
WINTERIZING COMPLETED
Correct for a Optimax you want to use DFI oil in the cylinders (on this step I show picture of OEM service manual where it shows DFI oil). I mentioned fogging oil or DFI oil as depending on your motor it will be different. With that said, I only add oil in the cylinders if it will sit for months. Anything less than 4 months I don't add any oil to the cylinders.
Where is the air compressor oil line filter located and what part number would be a replacement for a 2008 150 optimax? Also would you know the part number to the fuel filter as well? Thanks!
Did the 115 opti take 5.5 quarts in the foot?
What stainless steel propeller are you using?
I run the OEM one that came with the motor... Mercury Laser II.
oil change
This Mercury Optimax is a 2 stroke DFI motor so there are no oil changes. You simply add DFI oil to the reservoir and the oil is mixed automatically by the motor and burned off so there is nothing to change.
Obviously
You are not winterizing your reeds .
According to the Mercury service manual for this Optimax 115, they don't say anything about winterizing the reed valves. What do you suggest?