How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

[boatster]

I posted a question about outboard electronics reliability with Johnrudes vs Japanese.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=040504 <br /><br />I might be coming into a Johnson 70 1992. I was wondering how many OMC owners had their coils or powerpacks gone bad? I had a small Evinrude kicker 1987 with a powerpack that went caput. I didn't use the motor much either. I really don't want to get stuck on the water with a dead motor for these reasons. So how many of you guys had electrical issues with your Johnyrudes and what were they?

 

[alden135]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

The only way to guarantee you won't get stuck are oars. That being said, with you wanting to go out 20+ miles you should just replace the 14 y/o electronics w/new and hope for the best. I have a 1990 and replaced the coils and PP "just because" and kept the old for spares. I have a 1969 Evinrude 85hp with the original amplifier so who knows how long any electronic part will last. <br /><br />Buy a kicker motor for your boat for a little peace of mind.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

im not sure whatto tell you. they all break<br /><br />just cause you had a omc motor once that had a problem with it, doesnt mean that all omc's are bad.<br /><br />if that was true, nobody would own anything but tohatsu's.

 

[clanton]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

Power pack is not what kills this motor, but you can check the pack ground wires , the mounting brackets bolts, do the 5/6 service bulletins, and prop to WOT of 6000 rpms. The pack grounds thru these bolts.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

Wouldn't be caught out that far without kicker to get me back, no matter what kind of engine I had.

 

[MCM]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

IMO the more electronics they throw into motors, automombile included the more prone they are to failure. The more parts the more there is to go wrong.

 

[boatster]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

I head out to the Channel Islands which is 26 miles off the mainland. The Channel Islands are a National Park. There are oil rigs on the way out. I'm going out in EX USCG SAR offshore ribs (rigid hull inflatables). We have a boat towing service Vessel Assist if a motor dies, and I always check weather forecast/nowcast for conditions, leave float plans, and have most all safety gear.<br /><br />With regards to this motor, is it the oil injection (VRO?) that is its achilles heal? If I were to get this I'd probably replace the powerpack and coils though.

 

[javsam]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

I've had good luck with my johnsons--1972 johnson 125 hp and 1990 johnson 40 hp.<br />javsam

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

I had a powerpack failure on my '88 110hp v4. It was an intermittent thing though, it would run great for ten minutes or ten hours then just die. It always restarted after cooling off so I wasn't stranded but being disabled can be unsafe too depending on conditions. Losing power at WOT can be dicey too. Since replacing the pack I've had no trouble. That's all the experience I have with electronic failures.

 

[h_lankford]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

In sight of land? Ever tried to row back 8 miles, or wait 4 hours for atow that doesn't come until after dark? Ever had a storm brew up "unexpectedly?" Ever had wind pick up big waves and threaten to swamp you when you are dead in the water? etc, etc....<br /><br />I once went 22 miles straight across Chesapeake Bay. Thought it was perfect day. Didn't count on 4 foot swells from passing freighters. I'll never do anything so stupid again. ALWAYS have a backup engine if you are going that far offshore.<br /><br />PS, my Johnson stator and powerpack failed at different times, luckily near shore.

 

[joaklay]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

I had a no-spark condition not long ago with an '86 Evinrude 15 HP due to two broken wires (out of 4) where they flex, coming from the ign module/flywheel area. It's only inevitable that after years of flexing everytime you give it throttle, sooner or later the wires will break and I'm sure that it's a common problem with any older outboard. The same thing use to happen with 70s-80s GM automotive ignition PU coils in their HEI distributors which moved with the ign advance weights so I wasn't surprized to find that on an outboard. I was able to just solder in a bit more wire and fixed it.<br /><br /> I'd bet that most people with a no-spark condition usually just replace the complete module rather than inspecting the wiring to the module (included with a new module), which is repairable IMO. Sure, one could argue that the wires are just old and may soon break again but if so, that's the first place I'll look.

 

[koolerb]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

I just replaced the powerpack on my 1992 OMC 60 this fall. Must be a common replacement part, my marina had one on the shelf.

 

[Lowranger]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

My '89 70 had a powerpack fail under warranty at about 45 hours. Before it failed the motor would run great then suddenly lose spark momentarily. This pattern continued over several trips. My OMC tech warned me that this type of problem could be impossible to replicate in the shop because it was so intermittent. Well, once it failed completely it was easy to diagnose. I've since carried a spare with me but, of course, never had another powerpack fail. 16 1/2 years. I did have an ignition failure about 5 years ago. I ran from the Tacoma Narrows back to Olympia on my kicker(Johnson 15). My local tech had a terrible time diagnosing it. Everything checked out normal yet it still wouldn't start. They started replacing ignition components and finally said there was only one more thing it could possibly be. They had a stator shipped in from Texas and sure enough, that was it. Good thing too. They were ready to label her a "ghost motor" and give up trying to fix her.

 

[TimMattson]

Re: How many OMC owners have had to replace powerpacks/electronics?

My OMC 70 Hp has taken me from Neah Bay ,Wa. to Swiftsure Bank and then to Lapush (135 miles total in a day) and it has only failed when my battery cables rattled loose underway.The charging system didnt like it and both the rectifier and the power pack went out.The charge system will try to charge infinity with a loose connection.....very bad to ignition packs!<br /> I now use hexnuts instead of wingnuts and have had no more troubles.The amphenal connectors are sometimes the culprit and some packs may in fact be still ok.<br /> Ive tried keeping spares on the boat but have never once been able to use it.<br /> Buy the packs from CDI to save some $,they work just fine....Sometimes it is better to NOT know.<br /> Tim Mattson<br /> Sorensen Marine