Most Common Problems with Mercury OptiMax 200
Mercury OptiMax 200 is a two-stroke DFI (Direct Fuel Injection) engine. It is a sturdy, reliable engine made of strong alloys. It has been providing the best quality for a decade now.
Mercury started making the OptiMax engines in 1995. The 200 has a V-6 3.0L engine. The engine’s best specification is its hole-shot acceleration. This allows a top speed.
But no engine is free of vices! Despite all the fuel efficiency and excellent performance, there exist some common issues. In this article, I will discuss the most common problems with Mercury OptiMax 200 engine.
6 Common Mercury OptiMax 200 Problems:
1. The engine is Loud:
The engine can get obnoxiously loud and irritating. Especially at lower RPMs (the f-n-r range).
When the throttle is increased, it quiets down. The sound spikes up again when you stop and while its idling.
The most probable reason for this issue is the parts firing away. The compressor and injector along with the exhaust and reeds. This is a known issue of the OptiMax engines.
However, keep in mind that the noise should be regular. Not screeching. Just engine rumbling but louder.
If you hear any other noises, check with your mechanic as soon as possible.
2. Air Compressor Failure:
Mercury did come out with problem-free compressors in 2008. But getting a model older than that requires the replacement of compressors.
It was a known problem that the air compressors would blow out. Mostly due to unknown reasons.
A blown-up compressor would usually follow powerhead damage. Most customers call the older models the ‘time-bombs’. Because they can blow up any time.
However, there are some symptoms of failing compressors. If you find wobble in your flywheel, that is a usual sign of failing compressors.
Moreover, the compressors are likely to fail after 500-700 hours on the engine. It is a very expensive problem to fix. It is better to change the compressors while you have a warranty on the engines (when bought from a second or third party).
3. Wrist Pin Bearing Failure:
Mercury OptiMax engines have been reported to eat away wrist pin bearings. They destroy the cylinder pistons with a wrist pin.
Most times the wrist pin comes off the piston. Sometimes Merc users find a lower bearing cap coming off.
The engine may be making knocking sounds. Afterwards, you may find the flywheel turned with the plug out.
4. Lower Unit Blows Up:
People have reported many instances where the lower unit blows up. The unit blows up while running in the water majority of the time.
This happens due to a fishing line getting around the shaft. However, this problem is fairly more common in the Mercury OptiMax engines.
Most of the time the reason is not clear for a lower unit blow up. But it usually follows some kind of damage to the prop shaft. Any chip of broken metal from gear tooth entering the lower unit is ‘all hell breaking loose.
A lower unit blow up is usually followed by the prop shaft breaking. Other times the gears blow right off the case.
Hard component failures and wearing off with time can also cause this. The problems with lubrication should also be kept in mind.
5. Fuel Problems:
This is an old problem. Mercury OptiMax engines required DTI fuel. Any fuel other than this would eventually open a Pandora’s Box full of issues.
The common issue that happens is the engine not starting. The fuel pressure also decreases. Consequently, pumping and priming issues may also occur.
Of course, the fuel mixed with water is problematic for any engine. But Mercury has fixed the design to make it work for regular fuel.
However, steer clear of fuel with ethanol.
6. Design of the Lower Unit Water Pump and Seal:
There is a design problem with the Mercury OptiMax 200 that causes issues. It’s the mid-range lower unit water pump and seal.
The main issue is it accumulating dirt. Especially if you run it on a place where sand is plenty.
The dirt/sand will collect under the water pump. It will accumulate against the top seal of the drive shaft. This will eat away the shaft because the dirt cannot escape. It just sits there. Salt and sand mixture is another problem.
But there seems to be no issue in running in deep waters. Similar in the case of clear freshwater.
Final Thoughts
Mercury OptiMax engines have been claimed bullet proof by many. However, they are not as strong as the claims suggest.
The most common air compression failure makes it unattractive. It is an expensive problem with apparently no good reason for occurring. The bearing failures and lower unit problems are also pretty common. All with no apparent reason.
However, the engine is amazing in performance and less faulty than others. Especially using double of these and getting the compressor changed before 500 hours. I would get these any day to taste the crazy smooth performance and good acceleration.