'98 Merc. Optimax 135 Trouble Starting

jc77240

Cadet
Joined
Jun 21, 2009
Messages
7
I have the above mentioned engine, it has 422 hrs (as per repair shop). I Took it in to get new impeller, tune up, filter, gear lube, trim motor repair. I mentioned to the service guy, that I have always had trouble starting the engine. They said they would look to see what may be happening. Now after they finished the rest of the work, the guy mentioned that they also had trouble getting it starting the first time every day. The engine takes about 10 tries and normally have to add throttle (YES I Know I am not supposed to do it!!!) however once you get it started, the rest of the day starts first try. The service guy told me that he did some research and that this engines present this problem. That one of the solutions is a new ECM (Electronic Control Module I assume ???) for about 2 grand! IF it is a common problem, have any of you had similar issues? Has anybody been told to change the ECM and done so? I can live with it taking about 10 times to start (Lake Conroe, TX so no offshore issues for me) specially if it will take 2K to fix the issue.
Thanks for any info you can give me!
 

debamoore

Recruit
Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
4
Re: '98 Merc. Optimax 135 Trouble Starting

I have the above mentioned engine, it has 422 hrs (as per repair shop). I Took it in to get new impeller, tune up, filter, gear lube, trim motor repair. I mentioned to the service guy, that I have always had trouble starting the engine. They said they would look to see what may be happening. Now after they finished the rest of the work, the guy mentioned that they also had trouble getting it starting the first time every day. The engine takes about 10 tries and normally have to add throttle (YES I Know I am not supposed to do it!!!) however once you get it started, the rest of the day starts first try. The service guy told me that he did some research and that this engines present this problem. That one of the solutions is a new ECM (Electronic Control Module I assume ???) for about 2 grand! IF it is a common problem, have any of you had similar issues? Has anybody been told to change the ECM and done so? I can live with it taking about 10 times to start (Lake Conroe, TX so no offshore issues for me) specially if it will take 2K to fix the issue.
Thanks for any info you can give me!

Did you ever get this resolved? Thanks
 
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