Optimax motor

[kegler12]

I own a 1999 Bass cat with 200 hp optimax. I am having a problem with the speedo not working. I was wondering if any one knew if the speedo cable goes into lower unit of the motor.

[RebelBasser]

The speedometer isn't ran off of a cable. It's ran off of water pressure.

Look at the bottom of the driveshaft housing (the part above what drives your prop) and you will notice a small hole in it. It becomes clogged very easily by trash in the water. Simply take a straightened out fish hook and run it up in there and clean it out.

If there wasn't any trash in it the pilot tube may have come undone that goes to this hole. This is doubtful but I have seen it before.

[RockinRandy]

Check for cracks and damage to the tubing that runs from the OB to the gauge. With age, the tubing can deteriorate and come apart. Ditto what Ranger said about the clogged pickup; I've had that happen on a number of occasions. Once, it picked up a bit of wood and stayed stuck on 40 mph, even after trailering 1/2 hour home.

[Makitcnt4u]

I had a stick go in that little hole and it was stuck on 35 MPH. I tried cleaning it out with a small peice of wire. Over time it went back down to 0 MPH but still wouldn't go back up so I took it into the dealership and they had to get an air compressor and blow it out from the opposite end.b

[kegler12]

Thanks guys, I will give it a shot.