Optimax 225 Breakin

[bshaner]

Ok, I have read the manual.  I've gotten advice from the mechanic who replaced my powerhead...

I have to break-in my Optimax 225 and think I have the procedure down and ready...

Here's what I'm looking for.  TIPS.  Secrets!  Anything you think I might not have read or useful tips that will make this a successful process.

I'm entertaining you people's opinions on Oil use as well.  Synthetic Opti oil vs. Premium Plus.  Any dangers to mixing the two once?  I have Premium Plus in there right now with a gallon of it left and dont want to drain the entire oil system.  Will it kill the motor to start using Synthetic and mix it in with the current oil until the old is used up?  By old oil I dont mean years old... I mean the current oil I put in a month ago.  Or should I stay with Premium Plus?

From my understand I'm going to use twice the oil for the breakin period so that old oil should go fast. 

Does a motor get conditioned to using a certain type of oil say synthetic or non?

Can I spread the breakin hours over a few days or does shutting off the motor and letting it cool down for a night take me back to ground zero with the break-in?

I'll take any and all opinions and weigh them against eachother.   Dont hold back.  Any voice will be heard!!

B

[Cheetam]

I've never had to break in an Opti, but my only advice (for any motor model/brand) is to follow the break in procedure by the book...no shortcuts.

[djkimmel]

Ditto on following by the book. Most new motors can be checked for rpms so at warranty time, they'd know if you did what you're supposed to or not, and of course, you expect it to be what is good for your motor for long life so you don't need warranty.

I do not believe you have to do the entire break-in in one day. I've never been told that by anyone. I would only be concerned if it specifically said something about it in the manual. It should just be the procedure you follow for the set number of consecutive hours of operation.

I usually call the service department I know the best and ask. I would think you could also call Mercury - I bet they have a customer service option that may answer some of your question 'officially.'

In fact - from their site: http://northamerica.mercurymarine.com/serviceandwarranty/outboardfaqs/optimax.php

What is the proper break-in procedure for an OptiMax outboard?
Break-in is important to insure correct engine performance and life. Follow the procedure listed in the Operation, Maintenance and Warranty Manual. Generally, for the first two hours we recommend avoiding extended periods of idle or wide-open throttle, or holding the engine at one speed for extended periods of time. New two-stroke engines require additional oil during break-in; OptiMax engines use programming inside the computer to increase the oil mixture during the specified break-in period.

Break-in procedures are described in the Operation, Maintenance and Warranty Manual supplied with each engine. Use the Bookshelf link on the Mercury Dockstore page if you need to place an order for a replacement manual.

What is the advantage of the OptiMax/DFI Synthetic Blend 2-Cycle Outboard Oil?
The OptiMax/DFI Synthetic Blend 2-Cycle Outboard oil is specifically designed for Mercury Marine direct injected outboard engines. The additive package used in this oil is superior to the other oils we produce and formulated to provide an extra margin of protection in the OptiMax engines. OptiMax engines have additional pressures and temperatures over their carbureted and EFI counterparts.

Can I mix the OptiMax oil with the Premium Plus oil that I have been running in my OptiMax?
Yes. OptiMax oil can be mixed with the Mercury Premium Plus oil that you have been running in your OptiMax.

*OptiMax Oil is ONLY for use with OptiMax Outboard engines and is NOT approved for use with EFI or Carbureted engines manufactured by Mercury Marine, nor is it recommended for use with engines from another manufacturer.

[bshaner]

Thanks Dan and Jeff.  Just so you know, I have read the manual and the site.  I plan on following it to the letter.

Dan, I missed the Oil FAQ somehow, thanks for pointing that out.

I dont plan on taking any shortcuts. 

Just wondering if there are extra care tips over and above.  Things you experienced gentlemen have learned over the years.

Thanks guys,

B

[Bender]

"I feel your pain"
I'm about 5 hours into breaking in my Yammie, so no advice, but it sure is boring those first few hours.

[225XS4Garza200PXL]

Break it in as loaded as you can possibly get it...

Put as much tackle in your boat as you can, fill up the boat with gas, fill the livewells...

Keep it trimmed down... vary RPM's alot... don't baby it... run it like you stole it in the recommended RPM range... hard accelerations and deccelerations to seat the rings...

I love my Optimax...

[bshaner]

Thanks Garza. 

The book says let the motor warm up for 30 to 60 seconds then start the break-in.  Are they for real?  I've always heard Opti's need more warm up time than that.  Is the break in just an exception? 

B

[joshimoto son]

Drive it like you stold it!!!

If it don't blow up again... it's a good one!   

[smbassman]

As Garza mentioned, load the boat and keep it trimmed down.  Not low enough to hook to bow and make steering tough.

I guess you don't have smartcraft guages to monitor temp.  A minute should be plenty.  I don't remember what the book says, but the merc mechanic that swapped my powerhead told me to go 15 minutes per rpm range for the first hour.  He said they break in the Classic boats at 3000, 4000, back to 3500, up to 4500 (change rpm slowly) then for the second hour very between 3500-4500 (again 15min/rpm) with a burst to 5500+ for one minute between rpm changes.

Just so you are not concerned, it will not be easy to get on plane the first time.  The motor is very tight, so I would recommend at least get the first hour done in one run.

[225XS4Garza200PXL]

Optis only need alot of warm-up time when the water is frigid cold and the temps are cold...

One thing you can do and this is what I did on my Optimax... put in at Elizabeth Park... start the break in there and run down to Erie... then back up the Detroit River through the Livingston Channel... head all the way up to Lake St. Clair and then head back... varying RPM's, and stuff I think it took me an hour and a half....

Do it twice if you have the time...

[bshaner]

That sounds like a good idea.  If the weather is cooperative this weekend I'll do that.  I dont want to do it on rough water though.  Is the river pretty stable even if the wind kicks up?

B

[joshimoto son]

That's a good idea Jose.
I told him that he should expand upon that and go right on up to Port Huron.

[225XS4Garza200PXL]

The River is pretty stable on most days...

With a hard West wind the downtown Detroit area gets rough... and with a Southwest the lower mouth gets pretty bumpy but day in an day out the Detroit River is good to go...

The only problem with goin up to Port Huron is Lake St. Clair... more often than not, the lake will be pretty bumpy...

[bshaner]

Even if I just ran the river it would still be more efficient than doing the NASCAR left turn on Wamplers or Devil's.

B