175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

[kevincoe]

Thinking of buying a new/old boat. comes with a 175 Ocean Runner...any info and experiences with this motor would be appreciated...give me the good the bad and the ugly please! Thanks kpcoe.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

as long as it is not a FICHT, good reviews. ask point blank if it is a FICHT.

 

[kevincoe]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

Whats a FICHT?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

it was an ignition system that put OMC into bankruptcy. no longer supported,

 

[kevincoe]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

don't think the gentleman would know...how could I tell when inspecting.Thanks Tdaddy.

 

[JB]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

FICHT was a pioneer direct injection system that OMC put on the market without adequate development. The V6s, particularly the 150 and 175 blew up regularly.

If it is a FICHT engine it will say so on the cowling and the model number will read E175FEC. The "F" in the model number is the giveaway.

If it is a carbureted engine it will be a good one, but use a lot more fuel than a direct injected engine (that is running )

 

[kevincoe]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

Thanks for this important info!!! may have saved me from a huge costly mistake!

 

[kevincoe]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

Spoke with the owner, he said the number on the title say GO4500808. Does this sound like a "good" one, or does it not make sense. Thanks again.

 

[JB]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

Serial number is irrelevant, Kevin. Get the model number.

 

[kevincoe]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

Gotcha! Thanks

 

[rndn]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

It should be easy to tell if it's direct injected or a carb version by looking at the motor with the cover removed. The starting procedures are also different as a DI motor needs just the turn of the key while the carb version needs to be primed usually by pushing the ignition key in before and during cranking.

 

[kevincoe]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

thanks again, great help.

 

[kevincoe]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

Hey guys, took your advice and sort of pressed the gentlemen to find the number so we could finalize the sale. I am 300 miles away. He found the number..not a Ficht...and deal was done. He's seemed extremely annoyed by the situation. I think this is why. When he got to the marina he asked the mechanic to check out the motor and get the number. The mechanic told him there were no more problems with a Ficht motor then any other...that being told, he thinks I gave him the run around. Any proof, an article or something I could hand him when I arrive. I usually don't need to prove myself, but in this case, I feel he needs to see some facts. Thanks again.

 

[JB]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

Fact: My Son-in-law bought a 1997 boat with a 150 FICHT Johnson on it. The seller said he had just replaced the powerhead. That was in 2000.

In about 10 hours it blew up. He put another powerhead on it. In about 50 hours that one blew up.

He then traded it for a Johnson 150 carbed engine that is still runnning well to this day.

Anecdotal? Sure, but I expect that some of our JohnnyRude experts will come up with lots of documentation of recalls and major updates on V6 FICHT engines.

 

[ziemann]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

The curse of the FICHT is well documented. If you want ammo, just google "OMC Bankrupt" and read to your heart's content....

Now, I 100% agree that later FICHT units under BRP were pretty decent- but the model year you were looking at under OMC had issues. You did a great job in researching your purchase. Do not be embarrassed to research when spending that much money. The carb'd motor you are buying is great- a bit thirsty, but a great motor.

Congratulations on your purchase and good job researching!

 

[kevincoe]

Re: 175 Evinrude 1998! Good or Bad?

thanks for the support....after talking to him today ,I realize he had a lot of stress selling this boat on e-bay...he said he had over seven hundred hits and lots of silly questions too try and answer...seems like a decent guy who wasn't anticipating such an onslaught.