jasoncooperpcola
God
Thanks Phat!!! I am very glad you warned me about him. I never would have known. I guess the V will be getting a 2.5 Merc 200. If anyone knows where one is let me know! Btw i weighed my 1985 Johnson 150. 390lbs!
225 Optimax opinions
- Thread starter jasoncooperpcola
- Start date
Destroyer
God
That's exactly the engine I'm putting onto my 21'. Took it off the Cruisers, Inc boat before I scrapped her. Great engine.. they just keep going and going and going....
jasoncooperpcola
God
Destroyer you reminded me of a kingfish tourney a couple years ago. Guy had a brand new Cape Horn with twin 2.5 Mercs. I could not figure out why he put old engines on a new boat. Shotgun start he outran everybody!
jasoncooperpcola
God
Just talked with the gentleman with the 1994 Merc 2.5L 200. He said he has had it out about a dozen times, but needed a short shaft motor. It needs a cowling seal, the po took it out. He said he is willing to let me do a comp check. What all do i need to lookout for on this motor? What should my comp numbers be? Going to look at it saturday.
THEFERMANATOR
God
Compression should be around 120-130 for a 2.5L I believe. The only real downfall to them is the oil injection system, and the power packs for the ignition. Other than that they are strong reliable engines.
jasoncooperpcola
God
Should i plan on running premix or can i trust the oil injection if i replace major components? What should i be reading at the plug leads with a multimeter? Will Mercury new gauges work with it?
Also i might take what is left of the loan and get a Mercury 2 stroke kicker. Thinking 15-25hp 20" shaft.
Also i might take what is left of the loan and get a Mercury 2 stroke kicker. Thinking 15-25hp 20" shaft.
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phatdaddy
God
there are 2 different schools of thought on the oil injection system. i have a 94 150 with 1500 hours, all on the injection system. it is a simple pump system that works off of a plastic ring on the crank shaft. if that ring breaks, pump no pump, engine no go. the only alarms on it are one on the pump that will sound if the pump quits rotating and another in the engine mounted tank that sounds if it runs low on oil. i have friends with the same motor that they have disabled the system. they use a lot more oil and have to clean carbs more often. i have never had the carbs off of mine. one day, i am going to get snake bit, but for now i like the system. i do carry a spare gallon of oil and at the slightest hint of a buzzer , i dump a gallon in the fuel tank. i have only had to do this once in 18 years because a hose split & the top tank was not refilling. the oil is moved from the storage tank to the motor tank by crankcase pressure. i do keep a eye on my hoses and have replaced them twice. to change out that ring, you have to take the whole motor apart.
i am sure 80% on here will tell you to run premix to eliminate a varible.
also make sure the steering arm is in good shape, mine almost rotted off and a major pia to swap out.
i am sure 80% on here will tell you to run premix to eliminate a varible.
also make sure the steering arm is in good shape, mine almost rotted off and a major pia to swap out.
spareparts
God
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
God
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.
I learned from the Johnson to check the steering shaft etc.
spareparts
God
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
jasoncooperpcola
God
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
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captpete13
Senior Member
I'm not talking about the 250. I'm talking about a 2.6l Yamaha. But even a 250, If you get one that has a good crank and just needs a piston or two isn't too bad. My 225 needed one new piston when I got it. It also needed a crank but I got that for free. I had the one cyl bored out and re-ringed the other five. I rebuilt the carbs,replaced the oil pump and water pump and thermostats. And it's been good ever since. I'm closing in on 400 hours.
captpete13
Senior Member
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
God
Here you go. I honestly don't know why Mercury never made a replacement bronze gear for the crank.
jasoncooperpcola
God
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
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
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captpete13
Senior Member
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
God
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
$400, pricey, but a lot better than tearing down the engine & putting it back together.
with another plastic gear.
nice info , capt pete
jasoncooperpcola
God
Stuck in the house today. As if the pouring rain wasn't enough i have a killer toothache now. I hope to look at the outboard tomorrow weather permitting.
I like the EOI. But my only concern is if it loses power. The power wire is connected to the starter solenoid. Like i stated earlier what if the battery gets disconnected? $400 is a bit pricey but, when compared to carb cleaning and plugs changes associated with premix, i think it might pay for itself. Even just in the oil cost.
I like the EOI. But my only concern is if it loses power. The power wire is connected to the starter solenoid. Like i stated earlier what if the battery gets disconnected? $400 is a bit pricey but, when compared to carb cleaning and plugs changes associated with premix, i think it might pay for itself. Even just in the oil cost.