etec vs optimax

[coolguy147]

well im thinking about improving my motor and wondering which u think is better and do they spill a little oil in the environment?

 

[steelespike]

Re: etec vs optimax

Optimax is a fine motor but I have no specific info on it.
The Etec is state of the art DFI 2 stroke very few movng parts ,has the highest CARB rating as clean or cleaner than any of the latest outboards.
Only 2 stroke allowed on Lake Tahoe.( 2 strokes per say are not banned
just motors that can't meet the carb ratings).No required break in.Excellent warantee,No scheduled maintenance for first 3 years or 300 hours.
If I was buying I'd be taking a real close look.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: etec vs optimax

well idk man that kinda sounds to good to be true i know brp thats makes seadoo r really good but cause my cuz said he bought one and had to take it to the dealer a lot cause of breakdowns but idk maybe just bad luck anyways cause he got an optimax 200 and it was good we rode a lot he said that he only burned 5 gallons but what about prices u know i know brp gets a little pricey can anyone give me the prices for a brand new 40hp etec and a 40hp fourstroke mercury and 40hp johnson? all brand new

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: etec vs optimax

Prices for any of the aforementioned motors will very GREATLY from one dealer to the next as will what is included with the deal (prop, controls, tank, installation, price for your old motor if any etc.).
A 40 hp etec is the same motor as their 50 or 60, just the ECM doesn't let it develop the extra ponies.
There is an excellent thread by Silvertip(I think) somewhere in the forum archives on fuel efficiency (and it's related theory as how it relates to real world usage). I woulda posted a link but I am not that proficient with a 'puter.
I have an '05 50 hp etec and I love it, but you will have to continue your research as they all have their +/-'s.
You will get a lot of feedback on Iboats that the dealer's reliability is more important than the motor's and I do not disagree.
To me a test ride with the motors that fit your bill is unbeatable.
This forum has a huge amount of the info you are looking for so just keep digging!
Good luck and spend wisely!

btw, I don't think Johnson is viable any longer. Their recent 4 strokes were made by Suzuki (my bro has one and he loves it) but I think the deal went kaput.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: etec vs optimax

well im thinking about improving my motor and wondering which u think is better and do they spill a little oil in the environment?

The E-TEC has NO oil that gets into the environment. Any oil it burns is burned completely and is included in its emission rating. To show how eco-friendly the E-TEC is, here is a link to an EPA award it received:

http://www.epa.gov/air/caaac/2004awar.html

 

[Kev144]

Re: etec vs optimax

There is another thread here about merc opti vs the ETec. You can read my post there. Both can have problems. I've personally only owned one Evinrude which was a 88 with VRO2 and it's still running like a champ! But Now adays I would not purchase an evinrude after what happened to ours at work. Electrical fire after 4 hours on 3 of 4 evinrude E-tecs is unacceptable. These days we are sticking with Mercury and Yamaha outboards.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: etec vs optimax

a fire on the newer etec wow man u must had problems cause u first person i heard that from

 

[Silvertip]

Re: etec vs optimax

And the electrical fire was due to what? After the first one, did nobody think to check the other three? Seems like we have a dealer issue here -- especially if he/they sold all four rigs. Were it my shop, I would be contacting those customers and either instructing them what to look for or bring the rig in and I would have a peak at it -- probably for free. I suspect this is a rigging problem and not a engine defect. I did check the internet and find nothing relating to E-tec fires. If this were an issue, the safety gurus and insurance companies would be all over it. Let's provide facts when discussing issues like this.

 

[BillP]

Re: etec vs optimax

And the electrical fire was due to what? After the first one, did nobody think to check the other three? Seems like we have a dealer issue here -- especially if he/they sold all four rigs. Were it my shop, I would be contacting those customers and either instructing them what to look for or bring the rig in and I would have a peak at it -- probably for free. I suspect this is a rigging problem and not a engine defect. I did check the internet and find nothing relating to E-tec fires. If this were an issue, the safety gurus and insurance companies would be all over it. Let's provide facts when discussing issues like this.

I agree...3 out of 4 catching on fire from one dealer and zero from the rest of the world makes me suspicious of dealer set up. Exactly what did the Bomb factory say was the problem? How did they handle it?

I speak with large numbers of ob motor owners weekly and etec has the best customer satisfaction by a huge margin. Opti max is ok and I'd rank them 75% who don't complain but most (massive...as in almost every owner) complaints come from Verados.

bp

 

[Kev144]

Re: etec vs optimax

It is odd they caught fire but our marina has been rigging big power boats since before many of you were born including myself. If it were not confidential I could provide the insurance claim from the damage done not only to the motors but to some parts of the boat. And the inquiry to BRP but I do not have privy of this information.

Edit: http://www.fastboatscanada.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=1858 not sure if any of you are a member here but another member had a 2007 E-tec go up in flames.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: etec vs optimax

Nobody is contending it didn't happen. We are simply wondering WHAT happened, not "WHETHER" it happend. That is not "privy" information unless there is litigation involved. It seems BRP would have a service bulletin published about this if it were an issue. I still contend it's a rigging issue and whether or not a shop has been in operation for six months or sixty years has no bearing on the problem. Rigging issues happen far more often than you might expect.

 

[Kev144]

Re: etec vs optimax

You are very correct silvertip, it may have been an rigging issue as it was our first evinrude out board rigged there in 15 years. I can't comment on the difference of rigging between merc and evinrude as i do not service or anything with outboards. I service our high powered I/Os.

BRP was very good though with having it fixed. As we dont have the tools to fix it here. BRP flew a rep down to check it out. again back to the OP key choice for me would be dealer rep, distance to each dealer and cost difference between motors.

 

[hans jensen]

Re: etec vs optimax

"BRP was very good though with having it fixed. As we don't have the tools to fix it here. BRP flew a rep down to check it out."

That quote says it all. BRP stands behind their products.

 

[BillP]

Re: etec vs optimax

Merc guys installing eTecs...and don't have the right tools. Did they have the right training to set them up? Now it makes sense why 3 of 4 burned. The buyer should have known better to buy eTec from merc people...they are probably jumping up and down in joy that eTecs had "issues" so they could boast about mercs.

bp

 

[lifeisfun]

Re: etec vs optimax

BRP would sell etec to non certified dealer ?