What year were the Optimax no good??

**Ktrain** · 02-09-2007, 05:50 PM

I know the Opti's had some problems, what years???

Thanks in advance

**SUPAJAY** · 02-09-2007, 06:11 PM

I think 02 was the first good year.

**Ktrain** · 02-09-2007, 06:15 PM

Im looking at some 03's so they should be ok i guess

**staylor** · 02-09-2007, 08:09 PM

...had a lot of problems. So much so many mechanics called them Opti-Pops, for the sound they made when they let go. The smaller 2.5 liter Optis have always been pretty much trouble free. When Merc settled the class action lawsuit all affected Opti owners got a warranty extension. I've got a 2002 150hp and as far as I'm concerned its the finest outboard I've ever owned in the 48 years I've owned boats- and that's probably some 50 outboards in total, including the 4 I've got in the basement right now.
Doug

**jphii** · 02-09-2007, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Ktrain

Im looking at some 03's so they should be ok i guess

They sucked too. Get an E-Tec.

**shawwestpoint** · 02-09-2007, 08:19 PM

2001 was the bad year. They had several updates that corrected the problem. They are very dependable motors now.

**props4u2** · 02-09-2007, 10:07 PM

As shawwestpoint stated, 2001 was the bad year for the 225 opti, all the other hp opti's were very good, some of the 225's had no problems, but most did. A few of the 2002's had problems. 2003 to date opti's are as good or better than any brand of the direct injected engines in production today. They have all had their problems & worked them out, even the glorified fict, I mean E-Tech. (Joe, have you ever seen the Rude awakening?) As staylor stated, the 2.5's have been near bullet proof from the start.

Lee

**The Big Al** · 02-09-2007, 10:27 PM

If you see one still running it's one of the good ones!

If it's one of the bad ones you will see the parts for sale.

AL

**RUDERIOT** · 02-09-2007, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by props4u2

As shawwestpoint stated, 2001 was the bad year for the 225 opti, all the other hp opti's were very good, some of the 225's had no problems, but most did. A few of the 2002's had problems. 2003 to date opti's are as good or better than any brand of the direct injected engines in production today. They have all had their problems & worked them out, even the glorified fict, I mean E-Tech. (Joe, have you ever seen the Rude awakening?) As staylor stated, the 2.5's have been near bullet proof from the start.

Lee

No Lee, Joe hasn't seen my boat (Rude Awakening) yet. Maybe we'll be able to touch 'em off this year.

**Forkin' Crazy** · 02-09-2007, 11:26 PM

Just carry a spare compresser belt with you!!!

**Markus** · 02-10-2007, 03:14 AM

If I remember correctly, Optimax production was halted for several months in the summer of 2001 to fix problems.

**jphii** · 02-10-2007, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by RUDERIOT

No Lee, Joe hasn't seen my boat (Rude Awakening) yet. Maybe we'll be able to touch 'em off this year.

We'll both make the same event sooner or later. Rumble?

**Ron V** · 02-10-2007, 08:36 AM

A class action suit to solve the problem, with Johnny come lately extended warranties....that pretty well sums it up.

Our local police boats have had 2 of the 135 hp models. First one blew up about 3 times. So much for the 2.5s being bulletproof from the start. I think the second one has a similar track record, or at least has chronic problems. It's always in the shop. The first one was so bad (I think it was a 2001 model) that they had to keep pulling the old police boat with the Johnson V-4 out of storage to keep the lake patrolled (fortunately they hung on to it). Now they got the second Optimax (government is comprised of slow learners) and they put the first Optimax on the old boat and got rid of the old V-4, why I don't know. You have to consider the operators I guess (only one of the four or five officers who run it has a clue), but the overall reputation is bad. Unfortunately the DFI motors are never going to be as reliable as a good old fashioned carburetor. If you keep the dirt and bad gas out of it, a properly assembled carburetor essentially can't fail. You can't say the same thing for computers and complicated electronic injection systems. Period. Unfortunately the EPA got their way, maybe for the better, but that doesn't help the people who have blown $10,000+ per motor in the meantime. Outboards have become highly complicated, and perhaps no manufacturer will ever be able to get them completely right again because of what it takes to meet the emission requirements. My local boat sticker fees and taxes helped pay for those two piles of junk, so yes I am a biased, opinionated, ignoramus.

I am glad that the DFI motors will allow the two-stroke design to continue, that's the good thing about them. If it were me, I would buy an E-Tec before I'd buy an Optimax. But I'd get an old carb motor in pieces and have a good builder put it back together for me before I'd do either.

**RUDERIOT** · 02-10-2007, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by jphii

We'll both make the same event sooner or later. Rumble?

I'll be there!!!

**87sutphen** · 02-10-2007, 10:59 AM

Ive had zero problems with EFI motors but I wouldnt go near a DFI motor they suck if its not injectors going bad its belts or pumps or they just blow up

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What year were the Optimax no good??

Pre- 2002 Opti 3 liter...

2002 was the first good year

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