99' Johnson ficht

[Look Out Below]

Hi I’m new to your forum, I frequent other boards a lot but heard you all have the most info on boats and motors. So have some serious questions on the older Evinrude FICHT’s. I’m looking to up grade from my older ‘85 Grady White W/A ‘87 225 Johnson to a newer bigger boat. The one I’ve been looking at is the ‘99 26’ Hydra Sports Vector W/A with twin ’99 Evinrude Ficht’s. I’ve heard pro’s and cons on the ’99 version being the worst of the bunch to blow. Is this true? Was there really a fix for these motors? Or should I just forget about even looking at anything with a motor older than what year? (If it’s a Evinrude). I’m looking at used boat so a new one is out of the question and I definitely want the Hydra Sports. <br /><br />Thanks<br /> P.S. I first did a search and found some interesting points but none hit it right on the head...

 

[Joe S.]

Re: 99' Johnson ficht

If the engines are Johnson's then they are not Ficht. Evinrudes have the Ficht high pressure fuel injection while the Johnson's remain carbureted. I know that 99 and 00's seem to be the problematic years for the Ficht motors but I am not sure about Johnson's. Maybe some other folks here can help you with that one.

 

[Look Out Below]

Re: 99' Johnson ficht

My bad! <br /><br />They are Evinrudes...

 

[Look Out Below]

Re: 99' Johnson ficht

^^^<br /><br />Come on guy's! I'm sure more of you all know alot about these motors...

 

[Mufasa]

Re: 99' Johnson ficht

Hello,<br /><br /> There was an interesting problem on the twin engine rigs. The cruising speed was at an RPM where the motors were changing combustion modes. It goes from stratisfied at slow speeds and crosses over to homogeneus combustion. It has to do with the fuel timing to keep the emissions down. As the motors hunt around in that range they begin to build a lot of soot which wicks up the lubricant and scuffs the cylinders. The soft ware upgrades addressed this issue and began stepping cylinder transitions at differant rpm's. The motors still should be checked over by an experienced technition and scanned with a lap top computer. It will be money well spent even if you need to pull it to another dealer. This is a major investment.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: 99' Johnson ficht

Hey Russ,<br />No one really has THE answer . You'll get the same responses here as on any other forum.<br />It boils down to how lucky do you feel? It's my understanding that if you're looking at a 1999, and all the updates have been done, maybe the power head will be okay, assuming the lower unit doesn't blow out, you should have a good engine.<br />There are still left over 2001 Evinrudes around that will come with a 2 year warranty.

 

[waynebo]

Re: 99' Johnson ficht

was 98 the last year for ficth,because my 1998 johnson ocean pro is a fictch. waynebo

 

[MIKE F]

Re: 99' Johnson ficht

Bombardier is still using Ficht through 2003 but on Evinrudes only. Johnsons are carbureted. I'm not sure, but I believe 98 was the last year for a Johnson Ficht.

 

[Look Out Below]

Re: 99' Johnson ficht

Thanks MT!<br /><br />Mike F,<br />

Hey Russ,<br />No one really has THE answer!

I think I know what you mean man, I know what you mean...