225 Optimax Breakin

[TimnIowa]

My new 225 Optimax isn't here yet but my question is, how did you broke in your 225s, I can't remember how I did my last one but I haven't heard any complaints from my dealer and it didn't miss a beat for 3 summers.

[Fish-on]

Hey Tim they changed the break-in procedure. You should probably call a tech. Did you buy it from Soo?

[s.f.]

the 2002 definately will be different than your previous break-in procedure. follow it closely, as this is usually where trouble starts.

great choice! you gotta love black outboards.

#49

[Jim Carroll]

By the book! I fill the livewells, keep the motor tucked under, and use a watch. Make the motor work. My 2002 Opti was great...black motors only.

[TimnIowa]

fISH-ON
Yes I will talk to the dealer and make sure I follow it to the T when I get it. I should have next week, I have done that with the last four new motors that I have had, and not one problem with the black ones yet. I bought it from Kennedy in CR, No problems and no surprises. Thanks for the response and good luck fishing,

[Fish-on]

I agree about Kennedy. They are good to work with. Good luck with the boat. Seems like I remember that you put that motor on a Ranger. By the way we have special incentives for Ranger owners on the Iowa Walleye Trail this year.

[TimnIowa]

Fish-on
I would like to try fishing in a tourney once but I don't have the foggist idea what takes place. I'm afraid going out all day and not come in with anything would be my luck. My question is, are you all having fun or does everyone take it too serious and make work out of it. Yes I did put that 225 on another Ranger and now I can't wait till spring. Good luck and maybe we'll run into each other someday around here see ya

[Hutch]

Talking to my mechanic just yesterday about this. New owner of a 225 opti too. He tells me the break in period is now 2 hours long. The key is the rpm's. 2200 to 4400 for 2 hours . So the first time I go out there's gonna be no poles in the boat. Gonna just run it in that window and do it right. He said you can open it up on occasion but I'll do it by the book. I do like the idea JIM C had and will put some extra weight in the boat. My mechanic just came back from opti school and was told by this teacher that many opti's that have been run for 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 even 3/4 of a full season still didn't have the full break in - right rpm under there belts. He showed me all the different stuff they can look at when they hook up their lap top computers to the motors. DOWN RIGHT SCARY, but on the other hand PRETTY COOL STUFF. Good Luck To All. Hutch

[Jim Carroll]

"So the first time I go out there's gonna be no poles in the boat. Gonna just run it in that window and do it right."

That is exactly right. Its all about the motor- these motors are a major investment for most of us and there will be plenty of time to fish later. The onboard computer records engine function including the RPM ranges at which it was run and any anomalies or faults during operation. Warranty requires the proper procedures be followed during the break-in period.

[Fish-on]

Check out www.iowawalleye.com for more info. We're just finalizing some of the sponsorships so not everything is up to date. As far as taking it seriously, you get out of it what you put into it. There are always people who come in without fish. Sometimes they just didn't get it figured out, sometimes it just didn't work out. But even on the tough bites, a few teams usually come in with a decent catch. We've had some bad ones, though, several tournaments over the years have been won by one fish. It is a lot of fun in an atmosphere of friendly competition, all the people who fish it are great. If you get to the UNI-Dome sports show next month, look us up, we'll be hard to miss ince we'll have our 28-foot trailer/stage all set up in the right across from the trout tank.

[TimnIowa]

Fish-On
Thanks for getting back with the info, I will be sure to look you guys up, As for the tourneys, that was the aswer I was looking for, I'll be sure to look you up at the show, it is kind of neat putting faces with names, again thanks

[LC FISHERMAN]

I would think that the break in period is like any small engine doing
Alot of work(effort) and need's to be broken in correctly
I sell small compact construction equip. and we tell our customers
to make sure they run the ENGINE AT FULL RPM FOR THE 1st 50HRS of use
Even if they aren't using it LEAVE IT RUNNING IF THEY CAN
The heated engine helps to seat all the internal's of the engine which is very important with a new engine
DON'T TAKE THIS AS GOSPEL because i am talking about DIESAL engines--
but it seems that OUTBOARDS MIGHT have to go thru the same similar process--to an extent I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE BUT ENGINE BREAK IN IS
UTMOST IMPORTANT IN MY BIZZ

thanks for reading this because i am going to soon by my first NEW
2002 SOON
I have gone thru enough Boats and it's time to get into NEW-vs-used

OK--I RAMBLED A BIT
WASN'T BREAK'IN THE SUBJECT--S'''t I can get carried away
THANKS AGAIN I gotta go fishin SOON

[Yamahaha]

Just bring a wrench and a saw with. And when your in at least 40 foot of water cut the sucker and watch your troubles sink away and buy a real motor. The only reason Merc think there #1 is they give away more motors the the rest ##### they dont even 800 number for customer service. If they did they would go broke......I have a Opticrap and would LOVE sell it but NOBODY will take one in on trade.. If Merc's are so great why do dealers not want take them in on trade?

[ebijack]

read the owners manual if the dealer doesn't explain it to you...or find a different dealer..
hutch.. you sure you trust your mechanic? "Talking to my mechanic just yesterday about this. New owner of a 225 opti too. He tells me the break in period is now 2 hours long. The key is the rpm's. 2200 to 4400 for 2 hours ." "My mechanic just came back from opti school and was told by this teacher that many opti's that have been run for 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 even 3/4 of a full season still didn't have the full break in" hard to believe anyone doesn't have 2 hours after even part of a season...something doesn't sound right.

[Al]

I'm with ebjack on that. It makes no sense, but I got the same story from a merc dealer in Indiana not long ago. Seems odd. Most hours put on outboards are in that speed range mentioned. I've had CPU engines before and most of my time was spent running 3500 give or take a few hundred. To me, it sounds as if the Merc boys are about to use the "you didn't break it in right" with the Opti problems. Yep, right out of the ole Johnrude playbook. Early reports from southern bass boys say the 2002's don't have all the problems solved either.

As far as break in....GO BY THE BOOK> not what someone, anyone tells you. If your motor fails, and they check the CPU,you have the book to back you up, not some mechanic. These DFI's are still not bullet proof. The best way to protect yourself and your wallet is to follow the book to the letter. Don't let some dealer or tech tell you otherwise unless you get it in writing and notorized. Don't give a manf. an out because they don't have things right.

[Hutch]

ebijack & Al. After reading your reply's I again went back to my mechanic just to make sure that I hadn't posted something here that wasn't accurate or true. I do trust him considering he is one of if not my best friend. He's been re-certified yearly by merc at their schools for the past several years, and is a TRUE MOTORHEAD. We went digging to find the actual words. For 2002 - merc - 225 opti it states the magic window for break in time and optimum rpm's are 2500 to 4500 rpm and the time period is 2 hours. The motor automatically douples the oil to the motor, but only in that rpm window. Merc says this is where the motor has the biggest load on it. They also state that you need to be varying your rpm's during this period on a regular basis. At lower and higher rpm's it DOESN"T add the extra oil and the computer in the motor will not log that time as (break-in time). So I was off by a few 100 rpm and will blame that on me, attention-daaa-disorder I guess, LOL. As far as the other part with the motors not having their break-in finsihed after being run for a little to most all of the season. He again says yes, that is true. Several of these big girls that come in with major motor problems still don't have the break-in agenda completed. I GUESS the owners think their motors are bullet proof and are either at an idle are wide open. Monday he is going to call merc again just to make sure what I said is accurate and if it isn't I will reply back again to claify and eat a little more crow. ;) I REALLY DO VALUE & APPRECIATE your opinions, that's why I went back to make sure I wasn't screwing up here. Take care and good fishing to ya. Hutch

[TimnIowa]

Hutch, Thanks for the information, My first trip will be to kentucky Lake and am counting the days till i get my boat and then the trip. I think I will take off on a 2hr. trip and get the breakin out of the way, Again Thanks for the info

[Nofish]

Howdy Tim.

I followed the mfr break in proceedure, with a twist.

I stayed below 3000 rpm for an hour and varied the throttle constantly. I moved it up to 3000 and back down over and over but never stayed at any rpm for more then 1 minute. And I always stopped somewhere else each time. Never repeadedly up to 3000 or down to idle.

Then for the next hour I worked the throtle up and down the full rpm range but never burried it.

I took a nice long boat ride in a larger local lake, the wife and kids were along and it was an enjoyable ride.

After 2 1/2 hours on the lake, I made one high speed wring out run for about 5 minutes, but I didn't leave the throttle buried all the time. I fluctuated the rpm from wide open down to aboyt 500 rpm below and so on.

The next time I took the boat out, it was however I wanted however long I wanted. I actually made a 25 min high speed run up Green Bay, only varying slightly from buried on the throttle as I did when I ended the break in session. Two days later was the first tourney the boat was in and I never worried about the motor again.

The Merc Tech told me I was being way to conservative while breaking the motor in, but I never had a problem in two years with the motor, and niether has the guy who bought it last year.

Have fun......R

[Al]

I wasn't doubting your mechanic or what he said, my point was to verify that is what is in writing. The boys at the last FLW saw a lot of troubles. I'd just like to see the working guy be able protect himself. As long as it's by the book, they can't hook you, and believe me they will if they can.

[Hutch]

Gott ya Al. Your last sentance says it all!!!! Thanks for the concern. Take care. Hutch