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Posts: 279
Location: Central Wisconsin | I keep looking at some older glass boats and I'm very interested in purchasing one. I'm skeptical to pull the trigger on some of the packages because I'm not sure about how reliable the motors are/were. What were some of the most bullet proof motors in the 90hp - 135hp range around the 1995 - 2001 years? I was particularly wondering about the 1999 135 optimax. Thanks |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | I've heard that some of those earlier opti's have had a few ghosts in the machine. Can't remember exactly what they were, however, i ended up shying away from them a few years ago because of those reasons. decided to get an opti a few years newer and doubtful that i'll be switching motors anytime soon, any opti after 01 should have the kinks worked out. Sorry that is not overly specific, might get you to do a little more homework. Hopefully some more will chime in here. good luck. |
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | I've heard the Yamaha 130 is a very reliable motor, but have no experience with them. |
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Posts: 3507
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
In the years listed, any of the 2 stroke carb motors from OMC, Yamaha, and Mercury are rock solid power plants. OMC in the late 80's had issues with the VRO systems, but that was taken care of by the mid 90's, with the occasional failure here and there (as would be expected in any line/make of motors). All had great power and reliability.
In the 4 stroke models, yamaha, honda, suzuki and Merc had solid power plants, although the Ficht technology that was coming in for OMC (evinrude engines mainly) had some quirks to work out, and thus might best be avoided. I have heard of a few carbed 4 stroke models from merc that had some issues with gaskets being sucked in on the carb, but I would assume they have gotten that worked out.
As earlier stated, the merc Opti's had some issues, but if I recall, many of those issues were with the larger powerplants, although I could very easily be mistaken.
Are you looking more at 4 stroke or 2 stroke?
Steve |
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Location: Detroit River | I know the early Opti's (150 HP & up) had issues with the power heads.
My buddy has a 2000 100 HP Merc 2-stk that has around 1800 hours on it & he hasn't had any issues with it since he bought it used in 2008.
Edited by Zib 2/24/2014 12:56 PM
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Posts: 5874
| Zib - 2/24/2014 12:52 PM
I know the early Opti's (150 HP & up) had issues with the power heads.
My buddy has a 2000 100 HP Merc 2-stk that has around 1800 hours on it & he hasn't had any issues with it since he bought it used in 2008.
The issues with the 2000-2001 Opti's were the 3.0 liter(200 and 225 HP). The 2.5 litre motors(135-175 HP) were solid all the way through. Even 1999 3.0 litres were pretty reliable, as the were the analog version of the Opti. The Extreme one had a 1999 225 that had a gazillion hours on it until last year, it finally expired. The 2000-2001 digital version had some fuel rail and injector issues.
As said, any of the carbed 2 strokes were solid. Also, the Merc EFI's, too.
4-strokes were all solid, except the ring issues with the earlier Yammy midrange 4s motors. Making oil issue. The FICHT motors were 2-stroke3 OMC's attempt at a direct injected motor. They had more issues than the Optis did.
99 Opti 135 should be a good motor, of course depending on how it was maintained and how used it is. They did go through plugs once a year, and they were not cheap then. Don't know about now.
Edited by Shep 2/24/2014 1:50 PM
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Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | What Shep said. |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Lebanon,Mo | The most reliable outboard in the boating industry in those years was the Yamaha OX66 Saltwater Series DFI 2-Stroke. 150-250hp,and not sure they made one smaller than the 150. Ton of these down here in Florida with some having over 3000hrs on them. They hold there value so good,people pay a premium for them anywhere near saltwater including Salt Lake,UT. |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | Shep - 2/24/2014 1:46 PM
Zib - 2/24/2014 12:52 PM
I know the early Opti's (150 HP & up) had issues with the power heads.
My buddy has a 2000 100 HP Merc 2-stk that has around 1800 hours on it & he hasn't had any issues with it since he bought it used in 2008.
The issues with the 2000-2001 Opti's were the 3.0 liter (200 and 225 HP ). The 2.5 litre motors (135-175 HP ) were solid all the way through. Even 1999 3.0 litres were pretty reliable, as the were the analog version of the Opti. The Extreme one had a 1999 225 that had a gazillion hours on it until last year, it finally expired. The 2000-2001 digital version had some fuel rail and injector issues.
As said, any of the carbed 2 strokes were solid. Also, the Merc EFI's, too.
4-strokes were all solid, except the ring issues with the earlier Yammy midrange 4s motors. Making oil issue. The FICHT motors were 2-stroke3 OMC's attempt at a direct injected motor. They had more issues than the Optis did.
99 Opti 135 should be a good motor, of course depending on how it was maintained and how used it is. They did go through plugs once a year, and they were not cheap then. Don't know about now.
This makes sense, i was looking at an 01 200hp opti when i heard about the issues.
Edited by beerforthemuskygods 2/24/2014 4:39 PM
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Posts: 333
Location: menasha wi 54952 | Any of the motors listed, that are still around, have probably had all factory updates done to them. That is why they are still around. Even the Fichts from that vintage, that have been updated, are good reliable motors. Just do your homework and have a technician give it a passing grade.
MR |
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Posts: 192
| Zib - 2/24/2014 12:52 PM
I know the early Opti's (150 HP & up) had issues with the power heads.
I had a 150 HP model year 2000 Optimax. That motor went through two power heads before I got rid of it. Mercury covered the cost of the first one but not the second. After 7 years and a ton of in the shop time I basically sold the motor for parts / scrap value and repowered. If I recall correctly, there was a class action lawsuit involved and I think that is why Mercury covered the cost of the first replacement power head. Not the most pleasant experience.
Not bashing the current Mercury engines but if you are looking into one of the Opti's from that time frame, my advice is proceed with caution.
Edited by LarryO 2/24/2014 7:11 PM
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The question was about a '99 135. it should be a solid engine. No issues with that model/year that are unusually prevalent. If it's still out there and running it's probably a good buy; take it to a dealer and have it checked out.
Any engine can fail. Any brand. Any time.
I see it all the time covering Bass and Walleye events.
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Posts: 279
Location: Central Wisconsin | Thanks guys! I knew with all the experience on here, I'd get some solid answers/advice. |
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Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Shep...you caught me there... I put the Ficht info in the wrong paragraph...
Good catch... That's what I get for typing so quick on a quick break. 
Steve |
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| That's why OFM pays me the big bucks, Steve! hehehe |
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Location: Minnetonka | sworrall - 2/24/2014 7:16 PM
The question was about a '99 135. it should be a solid engine. No issues with that model/year that are unusually prevalent.
I have a '99 135 HP carbed Mercury and have been very happy with the reliability over 5 years of use. If I didn't know any better, I'd think there was a hole in the gas tank, but I am afraid that is just the nature of the proverbial beast, in this case. Other than drinking gas like a college freshman who has just discovered his first beer bong, the motor has been as solid as the Ranger hull/transom it's mounted to (knock on wood). |
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Posts: 5874
| Yep. The progression from carbed, to EFI, to Direct injection on 2 strokes improved on the fuel efficiency greatly. |
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