Easiest way to check reeds on 2010 250 hp optimax pro-xs?

[wickedgoodtrader]

I have a feeling my reeds are broke and would like to know the easiest way to check them. Thank you!

 

[JB]

Re: Easiest way to check reeds on 2010 250 hp optimax pro-xs?

Howdy, Trader.

There are a lot of reeds in a V6. Nothing I can think of short of a grenade is going to break them all. What symptoms make you think they are broke?

If one reed breaks there should be a strong puff of fuel/air out of the carb that serves that reed, and others. If the reed is only chipped you may not notice anything except reduced power from the affected cylinder and you may not notice that.

The only foolproof way that I know to check reeds is to take the intake system off and visually inspect them.

 

[wickedgoodtrader]

Re: Easiest way to check reeds on 2010 250 hp optimax pro-xs?

The engine runs with considerably less power. Very very slow hole shot and maxes out at 4500 rpm. Seems to be shaking more then usual. It shows nothing wrong on the scans. I've done some research and the symptoms seem to be on spot with a bad reed. It was in the shop and I told them to check the reeds and the mechanic blew me off and said he had it running good (claimed bad plug). Got the boat back and still doing the exact same thing. I had read somewhere you could stick a borescope in somewhere to check them and save a bunch of time taking stuff apart. I want to find out the details on that so I can tell the mechanic because they just don't seem to know much.

How hard is it to take the intake system off?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Easiest way to check reeds on 2010 250 hp optimax pro-xs?

Easy way to tell is take to lake and just back in or put in a barrel, remove top air cover from throttle body and start engine. If it has a broke or chipped reed you will hear it "huffing" back into the air plenum at idle. Takes about 10 min to remove front plenum to check reeds, and be careful with oil pump. Also check the air compressor pressure as these are bad about taking a chit. I replace reeds on one of these at least once a month...