2002 Mercury 150hp starting then splutters and dies

[jaza2003]

Hey guys,
I was out on the water the other day and warning beeps started to occur. I got the 4 beeps every 2 minutes which according to the warning system card is either low oil reserve or water in the fuel. I checked the oil and it was low so I filled the container underneath that sits in the back of the boat and also checked the oil reserve on the engine which was not full about 10cm from the top. I understand that it needs to pressurise in order for the tank to fill the reserve container on the engine. I've had this issue before and it took a little bit to fix itself up and the warning went away. Once we got the boat on sure and back home we went to flush the engine. For the first 2 minutes it ran ok before starting to produce a lot of smoke, it then stalled. Upon starting the boat now it fires but then will splutter and struggle and will then stall.

Is it possible that the fuel separator is full and water is getting into the engine? If there is oil in the reserve container on the engine this wouldn't cause to stall would it?

Thanks guys

 

[Chris1956]

The optimax motors have a water separator on the engine with a water sensor. 4 beeps means time to replace or at least empty the separator. Carb motors do not have them. What do you have?

 

[jaza2003]

The optimax motors have a water separator on the engine with a water sensor. 4 beeps means time to replace or at least empty the separator. Carb motors do not have them. What do you have?

Mine has the water separator on it!

 

[QBhoy]

As above about water sensor..or on a similar note, some smart craft systems have a water sensor on a pre filter unit inboard the boat. But almost sure the optimsx uses this smart craft plug for the oil sensor perhaps. Sure sounds like water, given the running description