200HP 2000 Optimax

[adamsj13]

Hi all, I have heard that the optimax from 99 - 02 to stay away from. Is this true? I'm thinking about one thats a 00 200hp. The seller is asking about 4k for it. Would this be worth looking at? or should I not waste my time? Does anyone know of places that sell used motors.

[Phil]

both my sons have 200 opti's. I would say if it had any problems, it is all done by now. Go for it ! Both my son's had computer issues with theirs, but all solved back in 2000.

JIGS

[Hollywood]

Drive shafts are a little weak and thin but if you don't hit anything, you will be just fine.

[sker13]

Make sure fiberglass reeds have been installed. Especially if the motor has had a hotfoot on it. The old reeds would break and crack and make problems according to my mechanic.

[birdi23nls]

ive been told the same thing about the optimax and am looking to buy a boat as well...i'm curious what others will say. I heard that those years were a lot like the ficht evinrude motors, in that the fuel injection had problems. Just so you know, I have no real knowledge but have heard the same thing you heard only 99 to 2001.

[MIKE TREMONT]

I had a number of issues back in 2001 when mine was new. It took awhile but they were all worked out.

In 2001 there was a recall and the fuel rails, thermostats and computers were replaced.

I still have the steel reeds and try and throttle as evenly as possible while decelerating. If they go and scar the cylinder walls, I'm done for a long while.

I just lost the lower unit, but I believe that's just part of:

Bring
On
Another
Thousand-or so....

[blkdog812]

make sure the motor got all the lastest updates. if it does you will be fine

[Ridge_Runner20]

Make sure fiberglass reeds have been installed. Especially if the motor has had a hotfoot on it. The old reeds would break and crack and make problems according to my mechanic.

Not to pick a nit, but make sure the reeds are carbon fiber, NOT fiberglass. Boyesen made some ill-fated fiberglass reeds a few years back and had all sorts of issues, so they finally went back to carbon fiber. The new Boyesen reeds are just fine.

The only other thing I would be concerned about is whether the motor still has the original black air injectors installed. Mercury had some pretty high failure rates on those black injectors, and trust me, you don't want to pay to have them replaced! ($350 apiece and there are SIX of them!) If the motor has had the new blue air injectors installed, you're good to go.

Good luck!

RR_20

[Ron T.]

While on the topic of reeds . What kind of reeds do the 2002 and newer motors have in em and can a guy get any more power by changing to carbon fibre .

[Moose]

I have a 00 200 Opti and have blown 2 powerheads. They replaced the second one with an "04 power head and all has been fine, knock on wood.

[492slayer]

$4000 for a 10 year old 200hp Outboard is way more than I'd pay. Look around and you can probably find a better deal.

[Ridge_Runner20]

While on the topic of reeds . What kind of reeds do the 2002 and newer motors have in em and can a guy get any more power by changing to carbon fibre .

Can't speak for other brands, but the standard Merc Optis still use the SS reeds, while the ProXS motors use carbon fiber. Since switching to carbon fiber on my 225 Opti, I've noticed MUCH better idle quality, better midrange response, and best of all, no worries about trashing the engine if the motor sucks a reed. My top end is pretty much the same as with the SS reeds.

RR_20

[bustout]

Ridge Runner,
What are the symptoms of a failed injector? When my merc sputters out of the hole...I usually add some "ring free" to my gas and it clears up. Can't clear it this time...thought I bought some bad marina gas but after pumping it out and running fresh gas....symptom still exists. I think it might be the injectors or some electrical/firing issue.

Thanks
Jack

[adamsj13]

Thanks all for the responses. I'll keep looking. Thanks again.

[birdi23nls]

ya im going 2002 or newer...i think I will be safe???

[Ridge_Runner20]

Ridge Runner,
What are the symptoms of a failed injector? When my merc sputters out of the hole...I usually add some "ring free" to my gas and it clears up. Can't clear it this time...thought I bought some bad marina gas but after pumping it out and running fresh gas....symptom still exists. I think it might be the injectors or some electrical/firing issue.

Thanks
Jack

Hey Jack,

Unfortunately, I had all six of my air injectors fail (due to a serious mistake made by the previous owner's mechanic), in addition to one fuel injector (just failed). The symptoms were very similar for both failures, and included: a horrible miss at all power settings, no low end torque and very poor top end. I also had the "check engine" light come on in my warning cluster, but no audible alarm. Luckily, Mike, Mike, Phillip and Tyler from Capitol City Marine fixed me right up and have taken great care of me ever since. I highly recommend them!

Best of luck with your situation.

RR_20