1999 225 optimax starter

[TCS]

Just curious if any guys with this year motor go through starters every 2-3 years. Lost a starter saturday during a tournament. The main shaft for the starter drive sheared off. I seem to replace the starte every 2-3 years. Is there a heavy duty starter or another brand that makes a better starter. Ive always bought the new mercury Sierra starter for around 300 bucks. Thanks.

[norcalracer]

There is no such thing as a Mercury seirra starter! Seirra is a off brand for all makes and models and are normally not nearlly good as OEM parts. I have been a marine mechanic for many years and have seen these parts fail more often than not on all brands and makes of engines. Yes they are a bit cheaper and people often lean that way which is fine. But Mercry/quicksilver are there own brands and are not seirra or related and are much better parts.My advice would be to get a mercury/quicksilver of one of these part numbers #50-833153, #50-833153-1,# 50-833153-2,# 50-833153-5.

[TCS]

this is the part # of the starter that blew 50-898265008 made by quicksilver. Does this starter cross-reference with your part #'s?

[norcalracer]

That is a OEM number for sure.

[TCS]

so my last two starters croaked in less than 3 years. Anyone else have this problem or is that normal.

[jsouth20]

I know this an old thread... But was there ever any resolution to this?

I'm having the same problem with my 1999 200 optimax starter. Been through 4 in 2 years. 2 were OEM's.


[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=ylYI71qc9tk[/youtube]

[JL]

There is no such thing as a Mercury seirra starter! Seirra is a off brand for all makes and models and are normally not nearlly good as OEM parts. I have been a marine mechanic for many years and have seen these parts fail more often than not on all brands and makes of engines. Yes they are a bit cheaper and people often lean that way which is fine. But Mercry/quicksilver are there own brands and are not seirra or related and are much better parts.My advice would be to get a mercury/quicksilver of one of these part numbers #50-833153, #50-833153-1,# 50-833153-2,# 50-833153-5.

Norcalracer speaks the TRUTH!

[Whoopbass]

Mercury/OEM will be the best starter you can get. After market starters are garbage. Not sure why the starters are failing, Outboard starters last for decade(s), You need to search the web and find out what the issue is.

[jsouth20]

Agree, aftermarket is garbage. The first one that broke was OEM Mercury Quicksilver starter. The second one is an ARCO, made in Pensacola, FL. ARCO is quality, in fact, they use to make some OEM starters for Mercury. My original starter lasted 20+ yrs.

[jsouth20]

Was hoping the OG poster "TCS" was still around to see what he ended up doing.