2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

[greasemonkeyozi]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

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[bradley1393]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

As a tech at a merc dealer i see alot of these problems with the optis. Most customes love them once you get them right. Just keeping them right is a bear. I see alot less problems on motors that are used and not sitting. The quick kleen fuel additive also seems to be helping. I really do hope the problems with the injectors are over....they are costly and obviously faulty. If you are still fouling plugs...have someone check the map sensor and possibly run the ngk v power spark plugs. I have a few people swear by them and they are a whole bunch cheaper.

 

[grandpa]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

I just stopped by the shop and saw the new 2003 power head assembly installed on the motor. Mercury stepped up to the plate this time. They sent along a new Smart Guide gauge with wiring harness and they are also paying the shop to install it. For free. All no cost. New warranty starting now. I love the engine when it is running well which it will I'm sure. This is a very strong and efficient engine. It is a complicated motor and certainly hard for most shops to work on. I am so far pleased with the actions Mercury and my dealer have taken. After I break it in I'll write back.

 

[louisp]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

My friend bought a used '99 or '00 150 Opti with 60 hours on it. When he hit 150 hours within a couple of months it started buzzin, beepin, and sputtering. The air and fuel injectors were replaced (plus maybe a little more) to the tune of around $600+. Shortly thereafter it started 'surging' and the fuel diaphram, plugs ($20 each) and other repairs I'm unsure of were done to the tune of aroung $500. The day he got it out of the shop he was out for about 3 hours when it started a 'hellish' knocking. He was limping in when it shut off. I pulled him in and we ran it back to the shop where they discovered 2 holes you could put you fingers into the cylinders. Certified Mercury techs were the only people to touch this motor and all service intervals were performed. He called Mercury HQ and explained is predicament, at their mercy as the warranty had expired. Butler Marine in Beaufort(SC) corroborated his story and provided records and the motor computer readouts (which indicated no abuse). The outcome?? Mercury is providing a new head ($5600?) but he must pay the labor (they said around 13 hours). It was nice of Mercury to do this, but why did this marvel of engineering provide so much trouble then melt-down so early in life. The techs had never seen anything like it on an Opti, so they say. Lesson learned? He's selling the Merc when it's repaired and going 4-strokin', (brand X). Of couse I, the unwitting optimistic friend, convinced him Mercury was going to serenade him with false promises and screw him the first chance they got(as ALWAYS happens to me). My bad, hats off to them, they could've just said toodle-lou. Hope this helps out someone, if you need the specifics of this story relating to repairs, problems, etc, I can get them for you. Great format, thanks!!

 

[DJ]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

runaground,<br /><br />It seems to me that Merc. did your friend right. He bought a USED engine. So, what does Merc. get for all their throuble? A defector with no loyalty. Seems like a raw deal for Merc. to me.

 

[louisp]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

Maybe, but if Mercury has an inherent problem with the Optimax and they're just trying to cover their a$#es without admitting liability, who owes them loyalty? I not pro or con Merc, I have one. But it sounds like a lot of people are pumping big money into maintaining them and I just tried to provide some insight. I thought that's what this board is about!!

 

[woundup]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

I had to jump in here, I own a 1999 Opti 200. The motor has 300hrs on it and has performed flawless ( knock on wood ). From the number of post about opti's and other motors, I would say that there are fewer problems with opti's than other engines out there. This just my opinion. It could be that people don't post their opti problems here. Who knows, but so far mine runs like a champ.

 

[dilligafda]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

Just a few things I think need to be pointed out here in regards to runaground's post:<br /><br />1) "My friend bought a used '99 or '00 150 Opti with 60 hours on it." <br /><br />The key word here is USED.<br /><br />2) "When he hit 150 hours within a couple of months it started buzzin, beepin, and sputtering. The air and fuel injectors were replaced (plus maybe a little more) to the tune of around $600+."<br /><br />I can tell you for a fact that if all the fuel and air injectors were replaced the bill would be closer to $3000. Air injectors run about $270 a piece and the fuel injectors (which rarely go bad) are about $130 a piece. The engine requires 6 of each, do the math.<br /><br />3) "He called Mercury HQ and explained is predicament, at their mercy as the warranty had expired. Butler Marine in Beaufort(SC) corroborated his story and provided records and the motor computer readouts (which indicated no abuse). The outcome?? Mercury is providing a new head ($5600?) but he must pay the labor (they said around 13 hours)."<br /><br />Sounds like a great deal for a motor that was purchased used and with an expired warranty. They could have told him he was on his own for the repairs.<br /><br />4) "He's selling the Merc when it's repaired and going 4-strokin', (brand X)." <br /><br />His choice, I guess.<br /><br />5) "Of couse I, the unwitting optimistic friend, convinced him Mercury was going to serenade him with false promises and screw him the first chance they got(as ALWAYS happens to me). My bad, hats off to them, they could've just said toodle-lou." <br /><br />That's right, they could have but didn't. That speaks volumes to me about Mercury's committment to their customers and their product. Being a service manager at a multi-line dealer, I have seen other companies turn their back on situations like this and leave a real bitter taste with the customer. I'm glad that your friend wasn't one of them. <br /><br />Happy Boating!

 

[grandpa]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

Loyalty is a two way street in my opinion. All boats and motors have problems and anyone who owns one knows that whether they admit it or not. I resepct a company like Mercury for stepping up to the plate finally even though I wish they had done it sooner. I face the same customer service challenges every day in my business which is construction related. Like I have said before. I never promise there never will be a problem...It is the way I handle the problem that counts. Hats off to Mercury for handling my problem in a very professional manner.

 

[grandpa]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

Well it has been a few months now since I had the complete poweer head replacement. I just brought the boat in for a few more problems and asked for a print out of the replacement. The bill was $10,000!!!....All at no cost to me. The motor has run great so far with no troubles. The motor is smoother and faster than the previous ones...Anyway I am happy. When I got home today I had a letter in the mail from Mercury outlining a settlement agreement for members of the class action lawsuit that was filed months ago. All owners of 2000 2001 and 2002 and maybe even 1999 Optimaxs are potentially included in the settlement as part of the class. Mercury is offering big discounts and merchadise certificates for loss of use. I will read the 5 pages tomorrow but for now it is a surprising new development for me. Boats can be a pain in the butt and the wallet so we all need to get used to that. Mercury has been very good during my 3 year ordeal. I understand from another Merc dealer I know (not the one I deal with) that Mercury has really upgraded their service by direct computer links from the shops to Mercury so step by step analysis and solutions can be streamlined. I am real skeptical of anyone who brags that their motors have no problems. Thanks again to Mercury for a happy ending to a serious and prolonged problem. I can only imagine how much the optimax ordeal has cost Mercury. Just me alone we are talking more than the motor sold for at retail.

 

[BeavBoat24]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

I realize that it has been a long time since you made the post but a lot of things have happened since then. First, I didn't even know the forum exisited. Since I have been following the writtings on line I thought I would try and find out what Mercury has done for you and others. <br />Recently I have been in touch with the Mfg about my own engines. My twin 2000 Optimax Saltwater have less than 250 hours each.<br />You see, I've also had the same type of problems that a lot of people have, replaced power head, replaced both compressors, both fuel rails, straters, alternators etc. <br />More particular, I read recently that there has been a class action suit against Mercury and I was wondering if you had infomation about it.<br />Just last week Mercury made me an offer to sell me at a reduced price, "two for the price of one." This was a offer that just came out of the blue. I don't understand what has changed because I've called them several times in the past and they have done nothing. Now all of a sudden they made a decision after reviewing my records (bills) and after only three hours called me back.<br />What do you make of this?<br />PS. This is my first post!!!

 

[2springers26]

Re: 2001 Optimax 225: free replacement?

I'm up here in merc land... I'm also a service manager/ Merc tech.. i have been to every opti school avail.... was there issues early In the opti 3.0L opti... yes.. 2.5 L NO..... In the last 2 years the warrenty claims On optis have gone down a ton as a mater of fact i have NOT seen a blown 2003 or newer or had any real issues....... where I've done lost of power head swaps in the past... I do believe the newer optis are a great improvement over older product... But i can say we took a 99 225 intrade ZERO warreny claims On this motor& zero faults @ 350 hrs... they weren't all troublesome!!!