OPTIMAX POWERHEAD

[mark]

im raelly fed up with mercury! this is the 3rd yes 3rd powerhead that went on my 225 optimax! i dont know what to do at this point? what do you guys think im thinking of wringitn a leter to mercury adn if they dont do somethign im goign to involve a lawyer. there is no way a fairly new (2000) moror should do that i dunno any suggestions? you guys that had this happen to you before know how im feeling right now :S

[spellcheck]

Maybe in your letter to Mercury the spelling was so bad they didn't realize you even had a problem.

Sorry to hear of your situation, good luck.

[rebs]

I hear you about mercury
I have a 2000 merc 115 that is on its 3rd set of bearings

maybe merc isn't what it used to be anymore
number 1 on the water ???????

rebs

[BeenThere]

There were some posts on here that talked about lemon laws for boats and motors. Some states are enacting them now. Some already have them.

It appears that the drive behind this legislative action is exactly the kind of situation that you have run into.

You might check on those lemon laws by looking in the archives in here and in General Discussion. I cannot remember exactly where I saw them. But they were very interesting.

[Will S]

Have you talked with Mercury Consumer Affairs yet? 920-929-5040. Have the serial number from your motor handy when you call.

[Opticrap]

Sorry Merc dont care.. I called and they blew me off.. All I have to say is they lost a customer this time.. And I'm proud to say I have cost them atleast 8 new motor sales and counting.....

[Mark]

SOrry about my first post i was sorta mad and just typing lol. yeah i hope they dont blow me off or something is goign to happen. i didnt spend 35,000 on a new ranger to find out the motor is going to blow 3 times thats crazy! the last power head was replaced last july i broke it in properly and put it away in september, and used it for about a month this year, so the new powerhead only had 4 months if that on it? i don't know i guess i can hope for the best!
thanks
mark

[K Hines]

I have been through all of this. I would recommend that you document the reasons that they are giving you for the heads blowing and then write to the attorney generals office in your state. You need to document using the owners manual for your boat the rebutals to there claims. Get help and put together a good letter that will give the attorney general the ammunition to approach them. Then remember the names of the people who have had issues resolved by Mercury for the same motor that you have. Ask how your situation is different then theres. It is very frustrating and can make you want to drive to Wisconsin and do naughty things to them. Stand by your guns! If you are in Minnesota, there are no boat lemon laws. If you continue to pursue, they will finally come through. You can email me if you like privately to discuss. hineskl@parknicollet.com

[pops2]

Check out my post on May, 9th regarding the class
action suit against Mercury, someone is doing something about it!

[Yup]

I suggested a class suit a year ago. I am really glad to hear someone is doing something about it. These people have been really stiffed. And Merc is hoping nothing happens legally.

Merc ... #1 on the water? More like #2.

[fishhunter]

35,000 for a new ranger with a 225opti??? Thats why your having trouble with the powerhead, for that price they didn't put one in.

[cbohn]

i am sorry to hear all the problems that you guys are having. i have a 2000 200 opti and not any problems. my dad is on his second one and no problems. merc had a bad year or two of that motor kinda like omc did with the fichts but i think all of the problems are fixed. everyone i have talked to said that merc has done more than bend over backwards to get their motors fixed and on the water for them. a friend just blew one that was out of warrenty and they paid for everything he did not pay a dime and it only took like 5 days to get it back. it is hard to believe you guys are getting bad customer service from them?

[Opticrap]

I find that super hard to believe.. Because Merc blew me off big time. They kept calling the problems I was having with plugs wear items after 4 set at over 200.00 each time.. They sent a field tech out and I had three bad reid blocks letting too much in and that would fowl the plugs and do you think Merc gave me any money back for the plugs.. Well they didnt.. When the motor over heated in 38 degree water after only 6 months did they give me a new pump NO that was a wear item... When my 9.9 needed a carb kit after only three months I got stuck with that also.... And just for the record my 150 has less than 60 Hrs on it....

[someone somewere]

should have bought a yamaha

[Bob]

Throw that merc in the trash and go buy an Evinrude.

[OptiOwner]

Yah. I agree.

I tried. Could not get one in 150 hp. All sold out.

At first I was waiting and waiting for the 4-stroke and decided to settle for the HPDI last December. Guess what? All gone for the 2003 model year. IN DECEMBER!! Had it not been for the 5-year warranty I would never have bought an Opti. I hope I don't regret it.

[RHines]

All I can say is follow Kevin's advice to any of the guys that are having serious problems. With a little time perseverence and letter writing sometimes things work out in the end. It's frustrating now, but don't give up! Hopefully Mercury will come through for the people that have had serious documented problems like they have in the past.

If Mercury's track record improves in the future I know that both Kevin and I would consider buying a Mercury sometime down the line.

By the way I managed to get out for the Minnesota opener here in Georgia. I caught 2 sharks friday afternoon. I'm praying that if everything goes as planned I'll be released from active duty next Saturday or so. The next couple of days the plan is to get our demob. briefings turn in our desert gear, and to outprocess on Wednesday. The lord knows that plans change though. Between one day and the next we had a demobilization order, and then by morning we had additional new missions.

If demobilization goes as planned, I'll be up at Lake of the Woods the next week to get my head screwed back on straight after this mobilization. I'll probably head up tuesday sometime.

Ryan Hines

[Tackleman]

Well, here I sit, waiting for the dealer to open tomorrow, becuase my 2003 150 Opti with 4 hours took a crap. Siezed up at 5,000 RPM with no warning alarms or anything. I just had it in to the dealer to "Purge" the block mounted oil tank because my alarms went off when I was breaking it in. So, I'll add to the dismay on this subject. I'm hoping that there'll be a simple explanation and I'll get it back before June 5th Cabelas. And in operating order. What do they do when this happens, put on a whole new powerhead?