'98 Ficht 175 problems

[dq55]

My '98 Ficht 175 was running fine for about two hours. Then the normal popping sound from the engine turned to a more muffled, weaker sound and performance dropped. Also, an intermittant hard knocking sound came from the engine. <br /><br />I couldn't get rpm's past 4700 even with elevated trim.<br /><br />We continued our boating trip for about four more hours and the engine performance never improved.<br /><br />This Ficht engine has been a problem for us since we bought it new. <br /><br />I would sure appreciate some assistance from more experienced boaters than myself.<br /><br />Thanks in advance for your responses,<br />Dean

 

[Solittle]

Re: '98 Ficht 175 problems

Go to the Search above and key in Ficht and read the tales of woe.

 

[denniz]

Re: '98 Ficht 175 problems

I didnt know 98 fichts lasted this long. You must not use it much.

 

[dq55]

Re: '98 Ficht 175 problems

SoLittle, for some reason the search feature on the site keeps yielding a blank page on my computer. I've contacted Iboats and am waiting for their response.<br /><br />In the meantime do you know what could be causing my current problem?<br /><br />Thanks, Dean

 

[aero320]

Re: '98 Ficht 175 problems

I had that same engine and it did that four times, each requiring a new powerhead. The first three were under OMC's warranty. The final time, this last spring was on me so I traded the engine in on a new Johnson 140 four stroke (Suzuki). You will be looking at a minimum of $2500 to rebuidl the engine, more if you have a hole in the block. A new powerhead will be about $4500. Your best bet will be to try to get a trade in on another engine. The Ficht problems on that engine were not resolved until the introduction of the 2000 models. Even if you get it fixed, you will still be running the same technology that caused the problem originally. If you decide to trade it in, you will have to look for a dealer that will actually trade for it. Most will give you nothing. A dealer who is a friend of mine told me he wouldn't trade for the engine if it were repaired and in perfect working order.

 

[aero320]

Re: '98 Ficht 175 problems

As a follow-p, the dealer allowed me $2500 trade-in for the engine and sold me the new engine at his invoice price. He did charge additional for swapping the engines out. Through the years this dealer has been very good to work with.

 

[dq55]

Re: '98 Ficht 175 problems

Aero, Thanks for your post.<br /><br />Since my first post on this subject I have learned a great deal about the early Fichts.<br /><br />They were good enegines with great ideas but sent to market before development had been completed.<br /><br />I really don't know what to do with this engine. My wife and kids paid more than $12,000 for this engine to give as a gift to me for Father's Day back in '98. The dealer we bought it from(who went bankrupt in '00) never sent our engine registration information to OMC. Therefore, we were completely unaware of the many upgrade kits available for this engine at no charge.<br /><br />The upgrade kits are no longer available. I have been told that to buy the pieces in the kits and have them installed will cost more than the engine is worth. This is hard to accept. I have a $12,000 engine with 120 hours on it and I'm being told the repairs needed to fix it will cost more than the engine is worth. Aargh!! <br /><br />I don't know what I'm going to do at this point. OMC and the dealer who sold me the engine have since gone bankrupt. Bombardier does not accept warranty claims on Evinrude engines built before 2000. DFI Technologies just wants to keep selling me parts.<br /><br />I am frustrated beyond words.<br /><br />Its getting easier and easier to picture my 1998 Evinrude 175 Ficht engine as $12,000 boat anchor instead of a boat engine.<br /><br />Thanks for reading my post.<br /><br />Dean