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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Looking for opinions on older optimax engines, in this case a 99 225. Looking at used boats outfitted with this engine and have heard some real negatives...would like to hear about any opinions or experiences with them..thanks |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | you can survive one if you make sure and warm it up before you drive off (every time) ... if you don't and you have enough hours on it there will be a high probability of running into what many have with the '99 big blocks. there is a logical explanation for why ...
i had one and would not take the risk to get another one unless a re-power fits into the considered in your purchase price of the boat. if you are happy with that then you won't be disappointed if/when you run into a problem down the line.
if you buy a boat with one hanging on it ... the happiest day may not be yours, that honor might go to the guy who sold it to you. |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | I just can't seem to find any boats with Yamahas on them Jon...Gosh I wish I could have snagged the motor from my last boat and transferred it over to the next one |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i have a 175xri merc on mine and other than the reeds broken last year (which made sense for age) i'm pretty good with it. my plan to re-power is to the pro-xs. i'd become pretty jaded on the mercs from my '99 experience but now the motors are so much better across the board. this is also why in the case of buying a used boat the 690/692's look so darn good. the 150-175's of those eras were pretty solid.
in '99 -'00 the big-block opti's and evinrudes just were snake-bit or so it seems.
the guys who own them should be the ones taking the hit (they should have equity) when selling them and not pass the risk on to the guy getting them out of it. in my case i fixed mine and it went a second time so that's why i just sit and wonder. i was "told" at the time it had to do with the way the coolant was routed ... again, if you warm it up and run it you can mitigate the risk. that apparently was not in the cards for me and i never thought i treated it unfairly at least at the time.
maybe a tech. geek can come in and provide more insight on it. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i had the same problem and just bought into this boat, but i got it at a price where if something went wrong i could fix it and still be happy. almost expect that with an older boat. bottom line is the guys selling boats are way too proud of what they want and sometimes get for them. some of that is because new boats have gotten ridiculous on pricing so it's inflated used prices ... |
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Location: Contrarian Island | imo you are rolling the dice with any motor that is that old...whether it's a Merc EFI or Opti or even Yamaha...they all can go boom...my 2000 EFI went boom.... when buying a boat w a motor that old I would have it looked at by a good mechanic first, check the compression etc... regardless...if / when they go boom you might be stuck rebuilding or repowering....
as Jon said, I have heard the best thing for the old Opti's is to make sure you warm them up for at least 5 minutes before hittin it....
Edited by BNelson 12/6/2011 1:14 PM
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | true ... my 200 vmax i had on my '01 620 went boom on the new owner i think a year after he bought it from me. difference is he bought it from me at a reasonable price and has since re-powered it and wanted the boat enough to make that work. some big-blocks will be reliable once re-built, but you really should do some homework on that same scenario on the '99 opts and i can't remember the year model on the evinrudes ... the block re-build doesn't change the coolant thing (sorry for the tech. phrase ... LOL).
sounds like you're being smart and protective of your "buyer" status ... it's a great place to be but changes fast!!! ... LOL wouldn't it be great to always be a buyer when it comes to boats? (unless you got what smelly has)
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | yeah gotta love boat prices, you are spot on about the used market too Sled..It's funny to take a step back and realize the thing you use about 30 days a year costs more then the vehicle in the driveway that takes you to work every day ( or the 3,000 miles a year to the fishing spots you need to get to)
Screw this Ranger nonsense, I'm just going to buy a Tracker and sell all of my shirts, stickers, and jackets  |
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Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana | i run a 98 135 opti, now its the small block and they dont have any problems, and i have never had a problems with mine at all.(knock on wood) |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | I actually had a 1999 225 Optimax. Got it with my 205 Triton in the spring of 2000.
Ran it till the fall of 2001, when I traded for a 2002 Optimax. In general it was O.K., but at times alarms would go off for unknown reasons. It was a very strong engine and I could pull a 25" trophy four blade with three folks abroad and hit 60+ with a 205 Triton.
Here's some of my experiences with 225 Optimax. Keep in mind that I now have around 2,000 (smartgauge) hours on the ECU. This is a lots of hours, and it's all pretty much high speed running as I don't troll with my 225.
The 2002 engine had a compressor problem in around 2004, which was replaced under warranty (I had a five year warranty). The engine then failed completely in 2006 (interesting that it failed when the marine shop was testing it) and I had a new 2006 short block installed. In 2008 this short block also failed and I had the engine rebuilt, now out of warranty (rebored and new pistons and rings). Seems that the problem is with the reed values, as Mercury says they are good for around 200 hours (I put this on every year). It's usually cylinder six that goes first, must be something with engine temperatures.
I've also replaced the trim pump twice, the alternator, the compressor, the oil pump, spark plugs around six or seven times an will probably do that again this spring, the alternator belt (try and find one of these), a couple of lower units, the ECU, several props, the oil level sensor, the little solenoids that make the trim go up and down (several times, I now carry one in the boat), and I suppose a few more things that I can't remember.
Still all in all this is the best motor I've had. Never had to row back to camp. Every thing wears out if you use it. Mine is running good right now, but I fear that the reed valves are approaching their replace time.
I'd have a good Merc Mecanic check it out. Make sure it has all the up-grades that Merc suggests you have. If you don't put around 200 hours/year on the motor it'll probably be pretty good.
Doug Johnson |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | excellent stuff, Thanks Doug |
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Posts: 431
| 2005 225 opti !!!! |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | dougj - 12/6/2011 7:49 PM
a couple of lower units
Doug Johnson
any good stories to go along with this Doug?
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Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | I still own my 1999 225 Opti. Some issues with fuel rails in the past but nothing major till this summer. Replaced the throttle sensor, cpu, and a couple injectors. I had all these parts from an engine that I boght a while back so it was not a big deal. My motor has over 1200 hours on it and still runs great now with the newer electronic parts. Be sure to warm it up every time and I run just Opti Max oil. |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | warm it up every time as in before you leave the dock?
or EVERY time as in between switching fishing spots all day long?
Your boat is looking better by the minute Juhas |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I've had three opti's, one small block and two big blocks. Until you have one and watch a smart craft gauge as the engine warms up in very cold water, you cannot begin to understand how long it can take to warm up. There are many variables including, how long have you been fishing since you last made a run, how much throttle are you giving it as you are warming it up, how cold is the water, etc. Many, maybe even most, of the early big block Opti's popped because of cold seizure in cylinder #6. It is my understanding #6 is one of the last to warm up. Many of the early Opti's never got the SmartCraft gauge installed. I would not recommend running an Opti without first installing a SmartCraft gauge so you can monitor accurate internal engine temperature. I believe the newer thermostats open at 122 degrees. I don't ever throttle up on plane until it has been above 122 degrees for several minutes to ensure the entire block is warm. |
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Posts: 431
| Yes Brian I don't think you will be disappointed. |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | Oh Ya!
Forgot about the fuel rails, and I think three or four injectors. Yes, make sure you warm it up good or # 6 will get real mad at you. I never take off till the smart gauge reaches 100 degree+. Biggest problem seems to be with the reed valves as far as I can tell.
Yes, several interesting stories with the lower units. Although I also had to replace both the lower unit gears just due to use. Wouldn't shift into gear any
more.
I find if you use stuff a lot things wear out. I've worn out lots of stuff, including me!
If the price is right and it checks out I wouldn't be too afraid of a 1999 225 Opti. Very strong motor.
Doug Johnson
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99 Merc Optimax question