I have a Mercury Optimax 115 with approximately 100hrs on it.
I bought it with 80 hours on it. It's ran perfect. Not a single hiccup.
Thinking I ought to have it serviced though. Called one shop and they recommend rebuilding fuel pump, new water pump/impellar, along with the usual lower unit lube etc.
Just wondering if it's all really necessary. I've had it out about 15 times already this year with no issues. I've checked the lower unit. No water issues. It's pumping water out fine, and running great.
Not sure if I should have it all done now or just wait till fall.
What do you veteran boat owners recommend?
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Those shops are there to make money, I'm not sure why you would ever rebuild the fuel pump unless it quits working or your having problems with it running correctly. You should be ok on the water pump/impellar unless you do not see water coming out the peep hole or you just want to be sure it is ok. If you have already checked the lower unit there is no reason to replace the fluid until the end of the year but how did you check it?
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I have the same motor, only mine has 1,800 hours on it! (2003 115 Optimax) Replace the fuel filter, clean off the spark plugs, change the lower unit grease, and if more than two seasons old, put in a water pump kit (impeller, seal, etc).
Impellers wear out, and you don't want to be on the water or launching when it happens IMO.
Keep an eye on the drive belt too. I've had one break on mine because I didn't keep an eye on it. They crack after a few years. I've replaced mine 3 times in 10 years.
If you have any doubts, call or take it to Lee's Marine in Hyrum. He's the Mayo Clinic for Mercury motors. The best. Just do what he says.
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Thanks for the info.
Unfortunately Hyrum is quite a haul. I'm thinking about Rogers in hurricane (the boat is currently in so utah) or getting it serviced when I bring it back up to the wasatch front. S&S, Heringer are the closest. Marine Products, petersons, and robertsons would be doable, maybe even Fred's.
I really like the guys at Fred's, but haven't had any boat work done there.
Any good or bad service experiences with those shops?
Hurricane rogers marine might make the most sense logistically. Any experience with their service dept?
Thanks gents!
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Keith the outboard guru at freds is a great guy to work with and freds is a great shop
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I'd second Lee's in Hyrum he'll fix what needs fixing and doesn't fix/replace stuff that doesn't need fixing. However a drive for you as indicated.
Now for one you mentioned Peterson's...well I'd stay as far away from them as possible. Learned our lesson...they'll sell you a boat but their service department is anything but top-notch. That's just my .02 based on our experience and it wasn't pleasant at all...totally forgot about our boat and why we dropped it off. That was 7 years ago and we haven't been back...Lee's in Hyrum has earned our business. Has treated us very well and very fair 5-Star rated Mercury Shop.
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My buddy took his boat to S&S on April 4th, it wasn't finished until April 26th and the water impeller wasn't working when he picked it up. Save yourself some grief and don't go there. Robertson's replaced a cartridge on a broken pump and charged me up the wazoo for it but they are a great group of guys lol. Avoid any mobile marine places, trust me.
I go to Lee's in Hyrum as well as most of my friends.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]I’ve been taking my Tracker w/75 hp Optimax to Fred’s Marine for 4 years now. The motor is a 2005 and hasn’t had anything done to it except lower unit service every year and an impeller change every 3 years until last season. Last season the belt broke on the first launch for the season at Hyrum on a Saturday morning. Lee’s was open and had one in stock and replaced it with no labor charge (it took him maybe 15 seconds to put the new one on).[/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]I told Fred last fall when I put the boat up that it was getting a little sluggish when first starting it. I thought maybe after 7 years it might need a carb kit, tune up, or something. They checked it out and said all it needed was a new set of plugs and did I want to spend the $15 apiece for the 3 plugs. The bill to check the engine, clean the filters, and replace the plugs was $103.[/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]The shop that you talked to that said you need to rebuild the fuel pump is one that you need to run, not walk, away from. My motor is 8 years old now and has just over 600 hours on it and doesn’t need the fuel pump rebuilt yet.[/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]My recommendation, based on what you said, would be to run yours for the season, and bring it into Fred’s in the fall for winterization, impeller change, and lower unit service. I don’t see where you have anything at all to be concerned about.[/#800000][/font]
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Mercury (and I) recommend changing the fuel FILTER (under the cowl), air pump filter and the lower unit lube annually. Both should be done prior to storage
Spark plugs every 100 hours (extremely important with the Optimax). Impeller annually or every 100 hours, whichever comes first. If you run a pressure gauge, change the impeller when you loose 5psi over a new one at WOT.
Made sure you use the Optimax/DFI oil.
Take care of that engine and it will take care of you, to answer your question with my opinion, service the engine sooner than later.
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