How many hours to expect out of an Optimax?

[drbrand]

How many hours should you expect to get out of a 200-225hp Optimax? What is considered high hours on a optimax? I am looking for one for my boat to increase the engine size. Today I passed on a 2004 225 on Ebay when I found out it had 900+ hours. That seemed like a lot of hours.

[stevefellegy]

I consistently put 400 to 500 hrs. a year on my Opti, sell the rig and never hear back from the new owner complaining about the engine. I assume many of the past Opti's I've run now have 600 or more hrs. on them without fail. But....ya never know. Something could happen on the very first hour or never happen in 1000 hrs.

I rarely run wide-open. I average 4000-4800 RPM's. at high speed. Better mileage and better for the engine. But I do idle (trolling) 10 hrs. a day very often with the big Opti and never even change plugs during the year.

That's my experience with Opti's from 90 to 225 hp. for the past 9 years.

[San Chan]

I consistently put 400 to 500 hrs. a year on my Opti,



Waow, just when I thought 100 hours a year for me is a lot. Now I feel better

[drbrand]

You know how people say this Honda engine or that Ford engine should go so many miles.
Has anyone ever heard how many hours you should be able to go before you start thinking of having to rebuild an optimax?

[San Chan]

You know how people say this Honda engine or that Ford engine should go so many miles.
Has anyone ever heard how many hours you should be able to go before you start thinking of having to rebuild an optimax?



I don't think its fair to compare it that way. I used to deliver Pizza with a Honda Civic that went 240,000KMs before I sold it.....but I didn't drive 5800-6000RPM every trip out.....but I did on my 90HP; 4Strokes 90% of the time. I think most of us are a lot harder on the outboard than our car......or is it just me?

[drbrand]

I understand that. I'm not comparing the running time of a car should be equal to an outboard. Nine hundred hours on a honda civic would just be breaking it in, but 900 hours on an optimax could be a lot of hours. I'm sure there is a expect life span of a 225hp optimax. I'm wondering what would it be?


I don't think its fair to compare it that way. I used to deliver Pizza with a Honda Civic that went 240,000KMs before I sold it.....but I didn't drive 5800-6000RPM every trip out.....but I did on my 90HP; 4Strokes 90% of the time. I think most of us are a lot harder on the outboard than our car......or is it just me?

[Bobberballs]

Stevefellegy nailed it when he said "Something could happen on the very first hour or never happen in 1000 hrs." That goes with every brand.

[southerncomfort1]

How many hours should you expect to get out of a 200-225hp Optimax? What is considered high hours on a optimax? I am looking for one for my boat to increase the engine size. Today I passed on a 2004 225 on Ebay when I found out it had 900+ hours. That seemed like a lot of hours.

How about this...

If you where in the market for a good used motor at what point hour wise would you pass assuming even if the motor looks and runs good when trying to upgrade hp??

[ck85abc3]

Stevefellegy nailed it when he said "Something could happen on the very first hour or never happen in 1000 hrs." That goes with every brand.

We all understand that, but I can say with confidence that, in general, a gm 3800 motor will last roughly 240k miles. Some go out at 70k, some at 330k, but in general, you should expect 240k out of them.

[bob oh]

Most with I/O or inboards figure at least 2500 hours before a rebuild. I've seen a lot of them with 3500 - 4000 hours. I don't have any idea how this relates to an outboard, but I'm sure someone does :-)

[minkman]

I just talked to a guy who runs the sonar equipment for dredging on the Missippi river. He had 2 Honda's (200 HP I think)on them and they both had 4000 hours on them and did nothing to them except good maintenence. They push a heavy boat too. Hope that helps..

[Terroreyes]

I take it as a good sign nobody has an answer. Means most of them are still going strong probably. 650 hours on mine, so hopefully I won't have an answer for you anytime in the near future. :)

[ZWALLEYE]

I asked Mercury on a 150 Optimax how many hours the life expectancy was. They told me 1000 hours would be like 100,000 miles on a car. I think allot has to do with how the motor is maintained. Just like a car the better you take care of it the longer it will last....in thery.

[Triton HWA]

just like a car all hiway miles is sooooo much better on an engine than grannys going to church car. all about heat cycles, less start adn stops more consitant temps makes for longer lasting engines. i only have 170 on my 225 no issues.