Help! Need an Optimax expert

[Salmon Elitist]

OK, on the top of my 2004 225 Opti there is a belt and 4 pulleys. One is an idler, the other is coming off the crank, there's one for the alternator, and the fourth goes to some sort of pump I'm guessing (fuel pump?). This pump, or whatever it is, is making a terrible racket. It's almost like a knock or a loud klack-klack sound. It also looks like the pully is wobbling a little.

a) What is this part?

b) What is wrong with it?

c) Can a person with a reasonable amount of mechanical aptitude replace it himself?

d) If not, how much can I expect this to cost me in parts and labor?

Thanks,

Josh

[Flip Silverlake]

The thing on the exhaust cover of your engine is the "air compressor" and if 'm not mistaken they run around $1300.00. I'm not sure if that's installed or not. I would have the work done by someone who understands that set up. The compressor uses engine oil for lube and there is a procedure to get oil into it before you start it. You may also have some internal parts of the compressor that would have gotten into the fuel injection system and that could cause a major problem down the road.

[Salmon Elitist]

$1300!!! That's just great.

[Senderofan]

I'm far from being an expert...but I think you'd be wise to have it checked out. If the pump goes out on you when you're on the water...I think you'll be stuck.

The $1300 for the pump is painful on the wallet...but is much cheaper than a re-power or major overhaul of your motor. I'm going through a re-power and it's costing me 10 times the cost of the pump...plus my trade-in.

Good Luck...Take care of that Opti. and it will serve you for many years to come.

Wayne

[Salmon Elitist]

I don't think there's any question of "will I take it out again". The question is, when? Might be a while at that price.

[Flip Silverlake]

Here's a link that might give you a better idea.

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=781016&postid=9722680

[Grey Wolf]

My compressor went bad last summer on an 04 225 Opti. Came off plane and it sounded terrible. Still under warranty, if I remember right the bill had $500 and a bit more, in any event it was less than $600.

[Salmon Elitist]

flip, thanks for the (somewhat disconcerting) thread.

grey... I hope it's "only" that much.

[Flip Silverlake]

I'm not trying to be a oger on this but the new motors are not the same one's we worked on years ago. The new systems mandated because of the emission standards put the shade tree nut buster out in the cold. I remember pulling a high speed jet out and cleaning it with a match book emery, can't do that anymore. There is a lot of guys thinking they can attack these engines with a pair of pliers and "get er done". Look at it this way open the hood on your car and try and figure out what you can do. It's just the nature of the beast.

[Salmon Elitist]

Don't worry, that link you posted pretty much convinced me not to mess with it myself. As if this isn't bad enough, the 10 horse that I use for my duck boat is still in the shop and my "backup" 6 horse needs a $90 fuel pump. I'm about ready to get rid of all this junk and start buying fish in the grocery store. :banghead:

[perchjerker]

Don't worry, that link you posted pretty much convinced me not to mess with it myself. As if this isn't bad enough, the 10 horse that I use for my duck boat is still in the shop and my "backup" 6 horse needs a $90 fuel pump. I'm about ready to get rid of all this junk and start buying fish in the grocery store. :banghead:

lol no one ever said boats where cheap lol

[guest]

I have the same motor

Just bought boat and motor this past summer. I had it for about two weeks when my compressor went. What happened was the bolts that hold the cover on top of the compressor loosened up and cracked the housing and had to get a new one. I callede merc to see if there was any kind of warranty left on the motor and it had expired.

After talking with the rep for awhile about the problem I asked him if it was a common problem with the bolts coming loose and cracking the housing. He said it was a very common problem. I then asked him if merc could do anything for me.

Merc covered the part and I just had to pay for labor $250. Check to see if the housing cracked and if so give merc a call. They REALLY help me out and even overnighted the part.

[jjunge]

The money you save at the fish market may help. However, the Therapest will get even more of your hard earned money. Keep Fishin. Keep your sanity.

[Salmon Elitist]

Thanks, I am letting it sit 'til Spring.