03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

[corkman]

Thinking about purchasing a new 03 Evinrude 75HP FICHT direct injection. Looking for comments, opinions, pro's and con's, and constructive criticism. They advertise a limited 3 year warranty with no declining coverage which covers the power head, lower unit gear case, electrical components, rubber components, and cowling. Some of my questions: What is limited in the warranty? What has Bombardier done about OMC's previous FICHT problems and the nasty problems with the VRO. All comments appreciated.

 

[jegervais]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

Quality control has gone from non-existent (with OMC) to 100% on incoming parts inspection along with every engine being test-tank run before it goes into the crate. Bombardier scrapped million$ in left-over OMC crankshafts because they didn't think the spec was tight enough.<br /><br />On the DI motors, the computer units have undergone several changes: Thicker pc boards, heavier rated parts, relocating parts to allow for better cooling, every computer unit is also tested in a combination shaker/environmental chamber, if it fails, it goes in the trash. The oiling system has a new distribution manifold, with an integral pressure sensor (its at the oil delivery point, not at the lift pump). There were also changes to the fuel pump, the cylinder heads and the throttle bodies on the 200 thru 250 now have a special seal to prevent oil dripping down the throttle shaft.<br /><br />Since you asked, the VRO (used on the carbureted outboards) had its 3 big problem areas adressed, lets' see - oil piston seal, sonic welding and... I can't remember the other.<br /><br />-John

 

[Hooty]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

You'll be a happy corkman and the envy of every kid on the block. <br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[radsrh]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

Bombardier Ficht's are great motors, if a 2 stroke is your passion you can't go wrong with a new Rude.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

whats a corkman

 

[corkman]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

John from Illinois, Thanks so much for the valuable info.Now my next question to you? The motor will be used in saltwater 95% of the time. Of that time the motor will be used mainly at idle to trolling speed.Can you troll with them and do they load up bad at trolling or idle speed? What about fuel economy? I heard they would compete with a 4 stroke at any speed.Does the motor have any problems we haven't discussed?<br />By the way I bought a new 70HP Johnson in 1988, used nothing but 93 octane and omc oil,got nervous about the VRO in 98 and removed it. Motor stills runs strong even though I switched to 87 octane and wal-mart oil.The motor and boat shake terribly in reverse, any solutions? Thanks a million.<br />PS: The motor still cranks on the first try, and I have always used an in line fuel/water seperator.

 

[corkman]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

Sloopy, it takes 30 years of drowning live shrimp, mud minnows, and live finger mullet under a balsa wood sliding cork to earn the distinction of being a corkman.Six hours of salt water fishing, Four hours of clean up when you get home.Got to be crazy to not love it. Good fishing

 

[jegervais]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

Trolling should not be a problem. They do not load up like conventional carbureted 2-strokes. In fact 1 advantage they have over 4-strokes is they produce much less carbon monoxide (CO). When you're trolling with a follwing wind, that means less chance for the poisonous fumes to fill the cockpit of the boat. I am not aware of any problems with the '03 motors, however, if you're going to be running the boat in freezing or near-freezing temps, they are recommending the use of the Evinrude Biodegradable oil over the Ficht oil. The Bio stuff is fully synthetic and flows better in the colder temps. The '02 & '03 are the strongest DI's yet. For more info, bop over to the boatset-up.com site and peruse the Evinrude/Johnson board.<br /><br />As far as the '88 70 horse shaking only in reverse, I'm a little stumped there. Does it shake only at lower rpm or higher rpm or all the time? What's different about the boat and motor going forward as compared to reverse? Do you have one of those trolling plates or perhaps a whale-tail fin installed on it?<br /><br />-John

 

[corkman]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

John from Illinois, thanks for the info.I've been in touch with boatsetup.com got some pretty good comment's, but most don't think you can run at low spped or troll that good with them.Rec.Rowdy's decarb procedure often, this sounds good but sure sounds time consuming. Is there a better or faster way to decarb and be just as effective? As for the 88 70hp it shakes at all rpm's in reverse, not very noticeable in forward. I've had a fin on the motor to keep it from porposing since it was new didn't have the shaking until about 3 years ago. Had upper motor mounts replaced, they were gone,lower mounts ok.A couple of mechanics say it's the reverse gear and clutch dog. The motor is run in reverse a lot for shrimp baiting and catching live bait.Any suggestions. From the corkman in beautiful Goose Creek, SC. Thanks again.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

what type of boat is this little johnson on?

 

[miloman]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

Hey I have a very very close relationship with Sturtevant WI and the good folks there In my opinion you are going to get involved in a motor that is as reliable as they come and a company who will stand behind their product 110% in fact Over the years of people coming and going over their I have yet to see a group of people so focused on thier product. The amazing thing is what they have in the pipeline if you think the product is good now see in 5 years mind blowing.<br />Have no fear go buy the product as for salt water it has afresh water flush you should flush it regularly. Trolling is not an issue as someone else had said they run so clean that you really will have not build up and no long term detrement to your motor. If you buy it you should also invest in a pda so that you can get regular performance data on your motor

 

[jegervais]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

Corkman-<br /><br />Check your e-mail.<br /><br />-John

 

[corkman]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

miloman, what is pda?

 

[corkman]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

sloopy, running a 1988 17 ft. Key West V hull, built in Ridgeville, SC. His brother-in-law owns and builds Scout boats. Champion plugs L77JC4.Good fishing.

 

[miloman]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

corkman a palm pilot you could also connect it to a lap top to gain real time data once you do it once you'll be hooked on the diaginostics

 

[corkman]

Re: 03 Evinrude ficht ram direct injection outboards.

Had to give up on the new motor, found out it's to much weight for my boat. Thanks a million for all the replies.Good fishing.