Re: Is there a way to test a fuel pump?
Step one to any problem on any outboard motor is get a compression test. Step two is determining the following;
Any water in the lower end?
Fuel to the carbs/injectors?
Crisp blue spark at the plug?
That said... fuel pumps work in different ways on two strokes verses 4 stroke. On a 2 stroke the oscillating pressure of the piston going back and forth sucks/pushes on the rubber diaphragm in the pump. If the diaphragm is shot/has a hole in it or has an air leak it will not work. You could also have a stuck or broken reed from over revs and worse yet, a compression issue in that one cylinder affecting the fuel pump. When there are two FP's it works the same but off the two corresponding pistons.
Over come the FP issue by assuring fuel to the cylinders. Could there be an air lock? Does the bulb squeeze up hard? Any way to get fuel into the cylinders to get it to fire up? Fittings tight? No cracks in hoses or air leaks?
On the optimax I believe the fuel is carburated and the oil injected. Could be wrong... not too familiar with the 2005 Optimax. The Black Max had a horrible problem with blowing out FP's back a number of years ago. For a few bucks, just get new FP kits and install them.
One more thing... be sure your engine isn't tilted up, fuel in the carbs is not going to suck fuel into the cylinders in a downward facing engine. Lastly, make sure the fuel enrichment valve/choke is working too.
All that in working order will make your engine sing.