Maintanence Time for 2005 225 Opti

[SLE]

I just thought I'd check and see if anyone would know if the procedure for changing the water pump impeller on my 2005 225 Optimax would be the same as the older 1997 175 EFIs? I was thinking it is exactly the same but thought I better check before I start this job. I figure I'm due for my 100 Hr change of the impeller, plugs, fuel filter, and air filter. just time for a little TLC i guess.

Whats the word on gapping the Iridium plugs? I've heard some say to leave them alone and other say to be very carefull. When I was last on the phone with merc they told me to use NGK IZFR5Gs and gap them to 0.031 But even they said to be very carefull when gapping the plugs. Of course they didn't offer any insite on the proper gapping method! I currently us a feeler gauge, the one with like a 100 seperate feelers of the mutiple thicknesses. Is this the thing to use or not and what is the proper procedure.

and JFYI, I also asked about indexing the plugs and was told that there was no advantage and no need to do such a task. The service rep basically said that was an old wives tail! I was happy to hear that since I would not want to purchace and extra set at $15-$20 a piece just to be sure I could get them all to index properly.

Lastly, what the best way to loosen the Fuel Filter? I tryed breaking ot loose last fall and was having a heck of a time. I haven't broke any of the tabs yet but I'm affraid that if I use a screw driver or such I'll break the tabs and then I could really have a problem. any ideas?

Thanks!

[Modog]

I think this is the fuel filter tool you are looking for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercury-Verado-Optimax-Red-Fuel-Filter-Tool-91-896661_W0QQitemZ400032269428QQcmdZViewItem

[Terroreyes]

As far as that fuel filter tool, I just took a sacrificial flat screw driver with a square shaft close to the gap size in the filter crown, and cut the blade off so it's a square shaft with a handle. Works pefectly. :)

[SLE]

Modog, yep thats the tooL I need and for $4 it'll be on it way later by tomarrow! Terroreyes, for what ever reason mine seems to be on so stinkin tight that when I use a screw driver the tabs actually started to get a white stress mark so I didn't push it any further being affraid of breaking the tabs.

[Terroreyes]

Yeah, for that price, I'd get the real deal. My Merc dealer tried to charge me $20 for one! :eek:

[wiredog]

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/sttipswp2.htm Try this for your water pump install. I made the guide studs from 4 inch metric bolts, sawed the heads off. You really need them to get everything back together. I buy all my Merc. parts from Sherm. If you are a member of BBC he gives a 10% discount which pays for the shipping. That way if i have a question i can call him and pick his brain, he`s a super guy. He also has the filter tool in stock, i think i payed under 4 bucks for it. Under the water pump housing is a seal to keep water out of the gearcase. On some Opti`s that seal will get pushed up under the water pump from pressure in the gearcase and start to melt the seal which will then let water in the gearcase. Merc makes a high performance seal kit to fix this. Wiredog