Optimax Malaise - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Post-Classic Whalers
  Optimax Malaise

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Optimax Malaise

johnm4861 posted 10-27-2002 02:43 PM ET (US)
I am having the most difficult time getting my 2001 Optimax 225 twins to run well. I have had it back to the shop 6-7 times this season, and lost much of the season and vacation time to repairs. Anybody have similar problems?
NYGuy posted 10-27-2002 06:49 PM ET (US)
I own twin 1999 150 Optimax's - here are my issues:
- Incorrectly installed gauges causing
bogus alarms
- Throttle sensors - both engines
- Thermostats and popit valves - both engines
- Water pump due to an incorrectly installed
gasket
- Starter motor due to a broken mounting rod
Only the gauges were repaired during the warranty period; to say that I'm disappointed with these engines is an understatement.

lhg posted 10-28-2002 02:05 PM ET (US)
Looks like the old Optimax bait is being trolled again. But there evidently was a short defective run of these 225's during 2001. Nothing like the OMC Ficht problems, however. Yamaha had some early HPDI problems also, similarly now corrected.
Just saw a new Bombardier "Ficht", but there was no Ficht name on it anymore. It has been such a nightmare for them, they are dropping the use of that brand name, and simply calling the engines Evinrude 200's, etc. All Evinrudes are automatically Ficht DFI's.
So, finally, it appears all brands of the DFI engines are starting to get reliable, and still outperforming the current non-supercharged 4-strokes.
diveorfish posted 10-28-2002 02:33 PM ET (US)
LNG: You are a Merc fan, do you have email? Need some off-line opinion about Opti's.
thebone12 posted 10-28-2002 05:41 PM ET (US)
OMC is not dropping the ficht name, they were now they are not, its a matter of opinion, I think the optimaxes had more problems then the fichts.
Sixer posted 10-28-2002 06:03 PM ET (US)
Had a 1999 225 Opti on a 23 OR. Best running engine I've owned. Some folks had problems when Merc introduced the Smart Gauge pkg.
dauntlass 18 posted 10-28-2002 07:25 PM ET (US)
I owned a 1998 Mariner 150 hp Optimax and now own a 200 hp Mercury Optimax.Both motors have been trouble free.The 1998 motor had several recalls all handled promptly by dealer.The 2000 model year motor had one recall and Mercury changed Champion plugs to NGK plugs under warranty.NGK plugs solved plug fouling problem.Packard used to have a slogan "ask the man who owns one".I have to say I would buy another one.
bsmotril posted 10-29-2002 10:54 AM ET (US)
I've got a pair of 1998 135's on a Conquest. They have been rock solid so far. I had a problem with misc alarms that turned out to be a broken stud in one of the battery posts. I replaced the battery, no more alarms. Low voltage to the CPUs will give you various misc alarms. I am very happy with my motors, and with my local dealer support. Whenver an update or service bulletin comes out that might affect my motors, they let me know. But then I also take the service mgr fishing a couple of times a year ;-)
BillS

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Optimax Malaise
johnm4861	posted 10-27-2002 02:43 PM ET (US) I am having the most difficult time getting my 2001 Optimax 225 twins to run well. I have had it back to the shop 6-7 times this season, and lost much of the season and vacation time to repairs. Anybody have similar problems?
NYGuy	posted 10-27-2002 06:49 PM ET (US) I own twin 1999 150 Optimax's - here are my issues: - Incorrectly installed gauges causing bogus alarms - Throttle sensors - both engines - Thermostats and popit valves - both engines - Water pump due to an incorrectly installed gasket - Starter motor due to a broken mounting rod Only the gauges were repaired during the warranty period; to say that I'm disappointed with these engines is an understatement.
lhg	posted 10-28-2002 02:05 PM ET (US) Looks like the old Optimax bait is being trolled again. But there evidently was a short defective run of these 225's during 2001. Nothing like the OMC Ficht problems, however. Yamaha had some early HPDI problems also, similarly now corrected. Just saw a new Bombardier "Ficht", but there was no Ficht name on it anymore. It has been such a nightmare for them, they are dropping the use of that brand name, and simply calling the engines Evinrude 200's, etc. All Evinrudes are automatically Ficht DFI's. So, finally, it appears all brands of the DFI engines are starting to get reliable, and still outperforming the current non-supercharged 4-strokes.
diveorfish	posted 10-28-2002 02:33 PM ET (US) LNG: You are a Merc fan, do you have email? Need some off-line opinion about Opti's.
thebone12	posted 10-28-2002 05:41 PM ET (US) OMC is not dropping the ficht name, they were now they are not, its a matter of opinion, I think the optimaxes had more problems then the fichts.
Sixer	posted 10-28-2002 06:03 PM ET (US) Had a 1999 225 Opti on a 23 OR. Best running engine I've owned. Some folks had problems when Merc introduced the Smart Gauge pkg.
dauntlass 18	posted 10-28-2002 07:25 PM ET (US) I owned a 1998 Mariner 150 hp Optimax and now own a 200 hp Mercury Optimax.Both motors have been trouble free.The 1998 motor had several recalls all handled promptly by dealer.The 2000 model year motor had one recall and Mercury changed Champion plugs to NGK plugs under warranty.NGK plugs solved plug fouling problem.Packard used to have a slogan "ask the man who owns one".I have to say I would buy another one.
bsmotril	posted 10-29-2002 10:54 AM ET (US) I've got a pair of 1998 135's on a Conquest. They have been rock solid so far. I had a problem with misc alarms that turned out to be a broken stud in one of the battery posts. I replaced the battery, no more alarms. Low voltage to the CPUs will give you various misc alarms. I am very happy with my motors, and with my local dealer support. Whenver an update or service bulletin comes out that might affect my motors, they let me know. But then I also take the service mgr fishing a couple of times a year ;-) BillS