HawaiiOutboard Repair
(808) 824-4380 Request service
MenuClose

Mercury OptiMax 200 / 250 (2012 on) service guide

Oil, gear oil, spark plugs and the service schedule for the Mercury OptiMax 200 / 250 (2012 on) (200 to 250 hp, two-stroke), from the factory service manual, plus how we service it in Hawaiʻi.

Models covered: Mercury 200 and 250 OptiMax 60° V6 direct fuel injection 2-stroke, 3032 cc. Starting serial 200 OptiMax 1B912786 (January 2012), 250 OptiMax 1B974801 (January 2013).

Quick answers

What two-stroke oil does a Mercury OptiMax 200 / 250 use?
Premium Plus 2-Cycle TC-W3 Outboard Oil.
What gear oil does a Mercury OptiMax 200 / 250 use, and how much?
High Performance Gear Lubricant. Quantity: Standard 970 ml (32.8 fl oz); Torque Master Gen I 828 ml (28.0 fl oz); Torque Master Gen II 1040 ml (35.1 fl oz).
What spark plug does a Mercury OptiMax 200 / 250 use?
NGK IZFR6J or IZFR6J-11, gap 1.09 mm (0.043 in); qty 6.
How often should a Mercury OptiMax 200 / 250 be serviced?
The factory schedule lists: Every 25 hours or 30 days; Every 50 hours or once a year; Every 100 hours or once a year; Every 300 hours or 3 years. In Hawaiʻi's salt water we do a full yearly service every 200 hours or 1 year, whichever comes first, and a new engine needs its first (break-in) service.
When should the water pump impeller be replaced on a Mercury OptiMax 200 / 250?
The factory schedule says to replace it at 100 hours and 300 hours, and we follow that. In any case we never let it go longer than a year in Hawaiʻi's salt water.
What is the idle speed of a Mercury OptiMax 200 / 250?
575 r/min.
What is the propeller nut torque on a Mercury OptiMax 200 / 250?
75 N·m (55 lb·ft); bend three tabs.

Maintenance specs

Injection oilPremium Plus 2-Cycle TC-W3 Outboard Oil
Gear lubeHigh Performance Gear Lubricant
Gearcase capacityStandard 970 ml (32.8 fl oz); Torque Master Gen I 828 ml (28.0 fl oz); Torque Master Gen II 1040 ml (35.1 fl oz)
Gearcase pressure test (no lube)103.4 kPa (15 psi) for 5 minutes without leakage
Spark plugNGK IZFR6J or IZFR6J-11, gap 1.09 mm (0.043 in); qty 6
Spark plug torqueFinger tight plus 1/4 turn, or 27 N·m (20 lb·ft)
Idle speed (in gear)575 r/min
Water pressureWOT 55.2 to 158.6 kPa (8 to 23 psi), 23 psi only above 70 mph; poppet 41.4 to 48.3 kPa (6 to 7 psi). WOT 69 to 172 kPa (10 to 25 psi); poppet 41 kPa (6 psi)
Anodic plate screw54 N·m (40 lb·ft)
Propeller nut75 N·m (55 lb·ft); bend three tabs
Power trim fluidPower Trim and Steering Fluid or Dexron III ATF; fill plug 2.5 N·m (22 lb·in). Max leak-down 55 mm (2.2 in) in 24 hours

Service schedule

The factory maintenance intervals, with what is replaced and what is checked at each. Rows marked Hawaiʻi are our shop's yearly service for salt water use.

  1. Every 25 hours or 30 days

    Replace: gear case plug gaskets

    Check: gear case oil, drive belts

  2. Every 50 hours or once a year

    Replace: gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets

    Check: drive belts, anodes

  3. Every 100 hours or once a year

    Replace: fuel filter, spark plugs, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, water pump impeller

    Check: drive belts, anodes

  4. Every 200 hours or 1 year (our Hawai‘i yearly service) Hawai‘i

    Replace: fuel filter, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, water pump impeller

    Check: spark plugs, drive belts, anodes

  5. Every 300 hours or 3 years

    Replace: fuel filter, air filter, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, water pump impeller

    Check: spark plugs, drive belts, anodes

Source: Mercury 200/250 OptiMax service manual, 90-8M0077343. Specs can change by model year and serial number, so always confirm your exact model from the serial tag on the clamp bracket.

Other Mercury guides