225 Optimax opinions

[spareparts]

steering arm is the big issue, make sure its not rusted real bad, it would cost around $1500 to have it replaced, if it all came apart easy. I'd ditch the oil injection, if the motor was run on a regular basis, I wouldn't worry about it, most of the gear failures I've seen are from engines that sat a lot, if you want to gamble with it, mix some amsoil 100 to 1 oil at about a 200 to 1 ratio, if the gear dies, you have some lube in the gas to prevent immediate failure, then add oil to get you home

[jasoncooperpcola]

It would be nice not to have to premix, but if oil is in the fuel tank then i know its there. I think i found the oil pump gear, its called a "gear kit" on the crankshaft and is $40 but dam Phat was right you have to disassemble the entire powerhead. You would think there would be some way to retrofit a new oil pump onto the flywheel or something. I dont even know if the oil pump is hooked up or not. But i plan to have a premixed 6 gallons of fuel.

I learned from the Johnson to check the steering shaft etc.

[spareparts]

good luck finding one(2.5 200), seems like the price on the newer four strokes have driven the price on good used two strokes up. Look on craigslist cities around big fresh water lakes. I've been looking for a 200 for a friend of mine, found a bunch of 150's, even a 175, but 200's are getting hard to find. The 225 Opti seems to be the most common used engine for a decent deal, you just have to deal with the weight

[phatdaddy]

spot on spare, that's why i keep this on standby, when my oil injection fails, i am only four bolts away from being on the water again...

jason, i'll keep looking over this way.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

spot on spare, that's why i keep this on standby, when my oil injection fails, i am only four bolts away from being on the water again...

jason, i'll keep looking over this way.

Thanks, Phat. I might be over in your neck of the woods tomorrow looking at a 94 2.5L 200. Spare i agree Optimax's are everywhere now that i have decided against one. I have found a couple 2.5L 200s around town, my uncle from Louisiana is checking on one for me too. Hell i even found one for $950!!

panamacity.craigslist.org/boa/2991667409.html

[captpete13]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

It would be nice not to have to premix, but if oil is in the fuel tank then i know its there. I think i found the oil pump gear, its called a "gear kit" on the crankshaft and is $40 but dam Phat was right you have to disassemble the entire powerhead. You would think there would be some way to retrofit a new oil pump onto the flywheel or something. I dont even know if the oil pump is hooked up or not. But i plan to have a premixed 6 gallons of fuel.

I learned from the Johnson to check the steering shaft etc.

a couple months ago I installed an electric oil pump conversion for a 2.5 merc. It uses an electric motor to run the merc mechanical pump. It all fit under the cowl with no real modification to the engine. When I go to work on Monday will try to find the papers for it.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by captpete13

a couple months ago I installed an electric oil pump conversion for a 2.5 merc. It uses an electric motor to run the merc mechanical pump. It all fit under the cowl with no real modification to the engine. When I go to work on Monday will try to find the papers for it.

Here you go. I honestly don't know why Mercury never made a replacement bronze gear for the crank.

[jasoncooperpcola]

But what if you lose battery power or somebody turns the battery switch off while running? I assume the 2.5L will run without a battery after its started. Do the 2.5L have an alternator?

Also what should i read on a multimeter on the plug leads? On my 1985 Johnson 150 it had low voltage on two plug leads. May be contributing to why it was so thirsty and had no power.

Priced out a Mercury binnacle control $334. May find an aftermarket cheaper but i would like to stay with all Merc controls and gauges. What about a prop, whats a good starting point?

Is this the electric oil pump?? www.marinesolutionswi.com/index.htm

[captpete13]

That's it. Ironicly enough my Yamaha rep helped develop this product. It uses the merc oil pump and keeps all the merc alarm sensors. If I had a 2.5 Merc that's what I would use. Sure beats wasting expensive oil on premix.

[phatdaddy]

http://www.propelledmarine.com/oil_injection.htm

$400, pricey, but a lot better than tearing down the engine & putting it back together.
with another plastic gear.

nice info , capt pete