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I am looking at a 22 pathfinder with a 250 v-max. What is the difference in the regular hpdi and the v-max. I heard a lot of the 250's blow power heads.
I think its a little different gear ratio and a 20in. leg. I believe it was designed towards the bass boats. I think its the same basic power head as the hpdi...maybe.
do a search...the hpdi 250 has a horrible reputation.....I'm sure the bugs have all ben worked out,....but it's no different than the fichted and optibombs......each engine had certain hp models and years to stay away from, unfortunately for the hpdi it was the big block 250 and 300's.....even though you may have a newer fantastic, flawless engine, the resell value will be affected in a negative way.
btw, I've heard and seen that the small block hpdi's are great.....
The 250 hpdi vmax is a great engine when it is set up right. They are very sensitive to what prop you are running on the PF. I know because I went through this with the PF and the HPDI. Once yamaha and my dealer got the right prop no problems. The boat ran great. Before that it was a huge PIA, constantly fouling plugs. Do a search on the maverick boats forum lots of info over there. Talk with Power Tech Props (marcus aka. Funky Monkey he is awesome with Pathfinders to get dialed in) If it is the series 2 hpdi, no problems that I know of with that engine.
OK,, i guess i'll have to be the one.. The 250 HPDI is a hand Granade.. It will eventully give you probelms,, Let me Guess ,,fouling plugs,, and eventully powerhead failure in #2 cyclider.. The Vmax is not substanially different then the standard HPDI 250. Do a search on this forum or ask a Yamaha tech ( a real one) , if they are straight up with you , they will give you the 411 on the 250 hpdi. The small block HPDIs have been great,, Like floridarob says..
I think its a little different gear ratio and a 20in. leg. I believe it was designed towards the bass boats. I think its the same basic power head as the hpdi...maybe.
clunan1 you are correct I fish a lot of bass tournaments and the 250 HPDI V-MAX is a bass boat standard. I have two friends that have Rangers with these motors 1-2006 V-Max
1-2009 series 2 HPDI the 2006 already blew the power head due to an oil pump issue (which Yamaha replaced the power head) and the 2009 is experiencing problems with the motor cutting out when he throws the hammer down the motor literally feels like it is going to shutoff. I am a huge Yamaha fan but for some reason these motors are really tempermental. I had a 2002 pro 20 xl Stratos with a 2002 V-max 200 and it was a great motor never had a problem with it.
have all the updates done, prop it for 6000rpms, and ride. its lighter, faster and just as fuel efficient as the 250 4stroke when propped correctly. its an awesome motor for the 22pf. i had one on my 22 shearwater. it will drink some oil, but overall the motor was great.
I have a 225 VMax HPDI and was told its the same block as the 250 (3.3 liter). Had the oilpump update done in spring of '08 and was told that it failed a leakdown test at that time, it had never missed a beat. Yamaha replaced the power head at their cost and I've never had a problem with it since, I ove the motor. It is on a Ranger 620 hull weight dry is around 1900, 4 guys full fuel and bait/livewells, loaded with gear it will do 55 with a Power Tech! 4 blade. 2 guys, half fuel with a worked Yamaha 3 blade it will hit 60.
I don't have a VMAX, but I do have an HPDI 250. I can attest to the issues that the motor went through for the 2003/04 years. I had an 03, now an 04. Cylinder #2 had some issues with excessive heat and basically melted. Yamaha replaced the entire motor. I had a bout 46 hours on it at the time. I have about 180 on the new motor without an issue.
My motor is not picky and trolls for hours with no issue. I believe that the early run models had some issues, like my first one, but since I got the replacement it's been rock solid. The resale is hit or miss. Depends on what the buyers experience is with the motors. There are a few HPDI's where I am and I was the only on with an issue. I think the general rule is, if the motor has some hours on it and is working well, you should be able to breath a bit easier. If it has few hours on it then it might be worth your while to drive the price down accordingly. Performance on the motor is impressive and the fuel/oil economy is also very good.
I would buy the same package again if I had to do it over again.
I had an 03' 250 VMAX and a 06' 250 VMAX best bass boat engine around. Never put wrench on mine. It would turn 6000 RPMS and push my Bass Cat Puma to near 80MPH. Great motor.
hpdi 250 v-max reliability 
