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Thread: Etec Vs Optimax
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09-10-2008, 07:38 AM #31
Those engines are best forgotten.
Remember, though, that it was the greatest technological shift Mercury had ever gone through, and they clearly had no idea of how much testing would be required before putting the engines in the hands of customers. This was not isolated to the DFIs. There were lots issues with the first year models of Optimaxes as well, even if it was not as bad as FICHT.
Only Yamaha waited until the stuff actually worked.
Clearly, Mercury learned its lesson. The Verado launch, which was also a huge technological shift, was super smooth.
Who claimed that?
Yes. On the other hand, if OMC had gone with Orbital which was a much more proven technology than FICHT, they might have been able to pull it off despite poor management and quality control.
If David Jones, the Mercury guy who the owners put in place to turn OMC around, had had one less problem to fix, he may well have pulled it off before his owners lost their patience.Markus' Performance Boating Links:
www.toastedmarshmallow.com/performance
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09-10-2008, 08:32 AM #32
Didn't mean to imply that they were on this thread, but do a quick google search, you'll see what I'm talking about. Those threads just happened to keep popping up when I was image searching trying to find a pic of a 1996 "DFI" mercury cowling.
> Stainless steel Merc cowling plates - $110 shipped TYD - LINK <
1979 16' Action Marine/2.5L Merc S3000 - Metalflake Maniac
1984 18' Contender Tunnel/2.4 Merc Bridgeport
"Where does the love of God go, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?"
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09-10-2008, 07:42 PM #335000 RPM
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there is one here in naples,96 DFI still running they dont make a lot of parts for it.engine is a 3.0 96 EFI engine with direct injectors on heads and a air comp.
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10-06-2008, 02:04 PM #345000 RPM
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10-06-2008, 03:10 PM #35
I for one am becoming a disgruntled Opti owner. Having three failures in 322 hours. Compressor one gave up at 150 hours, oil tank sending unit gave up at 170 hours, compressor two gave up at 322 hours. These are common issues, just google it. I have never had a code other than when the oil sensor went out. No overheat, no oil starvation. I personally know so many guys that have lost compressors and oil tank sensors and not just on older Optis. Again, google is your friend to see these are common issues. $3k in non warranty repairs or about $1000 per 100 hours is making me sick. I know there are plenty of owners with thousands of hours without a hicup but unfortunately, its seems to be a matter of luck. These compressors just seem to be very finicky and my last one took out 3 air injectors when it went. The sea strainer built into the barb fitting that feeds cooling water to the fuel rail and compressor is a bad design IMO. Very hard to service/inspect but crucial to the life of the engine.
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10-13-2008, 10:58 PM #365000 RPM
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Phantomuk, to answer your question it would be helpful to know what you plan on using the motor for. To be clear, both are great, reliable, fuel efficient motors. In specific applications, one will be nicer than the other. Which one is better depends on which application.
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10-20-2008, 03:42 PM #375000 RPM
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Sorry, but that is a great point!
I am interested in performance. but as i write this i am thinking more about the small block 200 etec.
on a 20 foot boat weighing about 600 kgs all in. both engines have aspects i would like!
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11-23-2008, 06:26 PM #38Junior Member
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If you buy Merc's Opti, don't purchase without extended warranty. Consider that part of the purchase price and decide from there vs. etec. My Opti jet went lemon the third year, $2000 and counting and still no solution why and the Merc service people have been zero help. Merc has also declined any interest in finding out why it continues to cut out at load (which requires lake testing for each trial and error experiment at my expense). No codes on the diagnostics. When Optis are good, they're great. When they suck, they suck very very badly on your bank account.
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11-23-2008, 10:43 PM #39
No need to purchase the extended warranty. You currently get 5 year factory coverage FREE. Gimme 5.
It is a BUYERS market!
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11-24-2008, 08:00 AM #40Junior Member
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Buyer's market for Optimax
Yes, I agree, with the extended warrenty now built into the price of the unit, if the price still works now would be the time to buy if you were inclined to take the Opti challenge (risk).
If you do buy one, if you have any service work done ever, make sure that the service center gets it documented with Merc or they will behave as if it never happened when it comes time to show that you've had continuing problems over time.
Once your warranty runs out, you might as well be dead. That is their level of interest in the service history of their products.
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11-24-2008, 12:17 PM #41Banned
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Diwhacked
Wow, Man you must have been thoroughly pissed by your dealings with Motor manufacturers.....See last year I was floored when I guy I was working with on a new demo 225ho had problems with his 1998 200 small block, the crank shaft had issues and after how long Mercury stepped up and sent him a new Powerhead because they knew it was a known problem with that motor.....Not sure how much companies in this business can warranty after the fact, but if its been documented that a consumer had a recuring problem, that should be watched and warrantied, but if a new problem arises after the warranty period, then I guess tough cookies, but Im sure in your situation their is more to your story, and thats where the frustration comes,.....BRP so far in my experiences has terrific dealings with my clients, heck they even sent a tech and engineer to my Pro guys house to resolve a problem, that is a 5hour drive, and they worked on it at his house, now thats service......