Going to be an owner of new 200hp Optimax..

[tal]

Hi there, once the finances are approved I'll own an 08 21 ft Mako with a 200hp optimax. I'm assuming the engine is the same year. Almost every kind of boat I am interested in purchasing comes with a Mercury on it so I guess I'm going to own one regardless of my opinions.

I'm wondering if there is anything specific I need to watch for on these motors. I have already been informed to run nothing but DFI oil from the dealer. I'm more interested in what I have to look forward to down the road. What's the first thing to go? I would like to catch the little things before they make big problems. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome. I've never owned a Mercury and really no nothing of the optimax other than it shoots air and fuel in the cylinder.

 

[NFA]

Re: Going to be an owner of new 200hp Optimax..

Hey Tal, I just had a 150 Optimax installed on my 18' Maxum and had the same questions as you. You're right about the DFI oil, it's expensive, but worth the piece of mind. Also, make sure you only use the right spark plugs, I understand these are on the high side as well.

The mechanic I bought the engine from didn't say anything else in regards to "small things" going, but if you keep the engine up on its fluids, oil, spark plugs, etc, that engine should run for years.

Have fun with that ride, sounds like a great set-up;



SSS

 

[tal]

Re: Going to be an owner of new 200hp Optimax..

Hey thanks for replying, I thought for a few I wouldn't get a reply. Sounds reasonable I guess. In all honesty I'm not too worried about the pricey oil, plugs, and small maintenance things. From what I hear Mercury has their technology refined on the optimax now so it's supposed to be a good package.

Our old Sea Pro has the original 1992 Johnson 88spl on it and runs like a top. The only thing I ever did to it was maintenance. I did have to pull the heads to replace some rotten rubber blocks that got lodged in there, but that was easy. Hopefully the Merc will stand the test of time as well.

 

[jasonbailey]

Re: Going to be an owner of new 200hp Optimax..

I just picked my new 90HP Optimax from the dealer the day before yesterday. I hope to get in the water this weekend.

Did you get the free extended warranty with yours? Mercury was offering 2 additional years of warranty for free if purchased before 4/15/2009.

 

[NFA]

Re: Going to be an owner of new 200hp Optimax..

I see the cost of plugs and oil as the cost of doing business with boating.

Pay to play, and I like to play hard, so that comes at a price. Worth it however. If paying a little extra to keep the engine running at optim(ax), so be it.

Enjoy the summer and good luck this season!



SSS

 

[hondon]

Re: Going to be an owner of new 200hp Optimax..

The biggest problems with these high tech outboards usually revolve around rigging issues.Make sure that the batteries they are selling you will handle not only the cranking amps you will need but the output fromm that alternator and that that run is short enough to be reached by the stock battery cables.Be prepared to replace those batteries if you lay this thing up on an annual basis.Make sure that rigger knows to keep any analog guages separate from any Smartcraft guages you might be using.When you take delivery of this unit,ASK for a copy of the CDS readout that that dealer is supposed to submit to Merc at the time of warranty registration.That way you know they have at least one important tool to back you up in case of failure and know how to use it.Make sure that rigger knows how to prime the oil system and not just fill the resivoirs.That CDS readout will tell you if that was accomplished and save you a limp home after 30 minutes on the water.Beautiful engines,but they need to be installed by someone that knows what they are doing.