What's going on with my Optimax 115

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08-21-2021, 09:08 PM
Tarheelwx

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What's going on with my Optimax 115

I took my Mako 18LTS out of the lake today and found this broken hose/tube (1st picture) hanging down when I trimmed the motor up to install the travel bar (whatever it's called). The motor had been running great with no problems. What does the hose do? What is the rust shown on the 2nd picture and is it a concern? Is that a gasket that's come loose that you can see on the last 2 pictures? Any help and guidance on what's going on here would be very much appreciated. I did have the water pump and lower unit reworked last fall.

Thank you,
TW
08-21-2021, 09:21 PM
MDCrappie

That's the speedometer tube. The pick up is in the front of lower unit down by the bullet. It's likely clogged up anyway.

Not sure that the gasket around the lower motor mount is there for. I see no purpose for it. None of my motors had anything like that.
08-21-2021, 10:01 PM
Tarheelwx

So you see no real concern with any of this? My boat does not have a speedometer on the dash, so maybe it is for the computer? I plan to put the boat in saltwater in a couple of weeks. Are there any repairs that I have to make before then?

Thank you,
TW
08-22-2021, 07:14 AM
Tarheelwx

In the 2nd picture you can see the orange rusted gear. What does that do?
Thank you
TW
08-22-2021, 05:25 PM
MDCrappie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarheelwx

In the 2nd picture you can see the orange rusted gear. What does that do?
Thank you
TW

That is not a gear, it is a splined shaft. It keeps the top of the hosecase in line with the bottom when you steer motor back and forth.. That lower mount slides onto those splines and is tightened down.

Since you have no speedo, that piece of tubing was just hanging free. Likely getting hit by something is what caused it to break off.

I see no issues at all.
08-22-2021, 06:28 PM
Tarheelwx

Thanks MD. Any downside to leaving the broken hose as is? I’m heDed to the cost next week and don’t want water getting somewhere it’s not supposed to be, especially salt water.
Thanks,
TW
08-23-2021, 11:39 AM
MDCrappie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarheelwx

Thanks MD. Any downside to leaving the broken hose as is? I’m heDed to the cost next week and don’t want water getting somewhere it’s not supposed to be, especially salt water.
Thanks,
TW

If the intake in the foot is not clogged, then water will squirt up out of that hole. Maybe there is a possibility that it would squirt high enough to get someone sitting near it wet, but then again they are on a boat so I would think the possibility of getting wet is always there.