98 Ficht 150 hp semi seized

charris

Cadet
Joined
Jul 24, 2012
Messages
8
Hello all, I purchased a boat this year that came with a 1998 Evinrude 150 hp Ficht. Has 170 hours on the engine (by reading OMC software). The other day while crusing at 4000 RPM the sound changed slightly, throttled back to neutral and the engine died. Would not restart, felt like dead battery but voltmeter was showing 13V. Would only crank 1/4 turn or so on the flywheel. Pulled all the spark plugs and no change, still will not crank. Noticed on the cylinder at the bottom, starboard side the electrode and nose of the spark plug covered with silver residue, hard like it had been sprayed with liquid metal which had hardened. All other plugs look normal. Will have to take it in to the Evinrude dealer but wondering if any of you out there have had anything similar or would care to make an educated guess. Piston? Rings? I'm familiar with the sad history of the 97, 98 Ficht engines - is this one of the failures that they experienced? Have been using OMC XD50 oil, de-carboned with Evinrude Engine Tuner about 25 hours ago. Engine has been running very well. Thanks for any help
 

Faztbullet

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
15,930
Re: 98 Ficht 150 hp semi seized

Injector leaned out or ECU/EMM shut fuel off to that cylinder....
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: 98 Ficht 150 hp semi seized

Or the oil line going to that cyl got plugged or fell off.
 

woody66912

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
690
Re: 98 Ficht 150 hp semi seized

Or the oil line going to that cyl got plugged or fell off.

Or a air leak on the intake manifold. I would also say a 98 with 170 on it, big time ??. emm has been replaced, I would also go out a limb and say the emm was replaced by someone?. and the coefficients are not correct. Have the tech check them. I think you might have been taken on this one, If the co's check out, then it might be something that was brought up before. Good luck.
 

Faztbullet

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
15,930
Re: 98 Ficht 150 hp semi seized

You will have to have EMM checked as a lot of the 1998's where non compensated (no coefficients)....
 

charris

Cadet
Joined
Jul 24, 2012
Messages
8
Re: 98 Ficht 150 hp semi seized

Evinrude dealer says I'm going to need a new powerhead and doesn't think that engine is worth putting the money into it. He says somewhere between $3500 and $7000. Found a good running used powerhead for $1500 delivered. Had a look at the Seloc manual, changing the powerhead out doesn't sound too bad, not something I have ever done before. How big a job is it really, and how difficult to set up the engine afterwards, timing etc. Thanks for any replies
 

Faztbullet

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
15,930
Re: 98 Ficht 150 hp semi seized

Thanks for the reply but what does no coefficients mean?
Refers to injector readings in short. They dealer told you correct as its not worth putting 3-7000 in it.
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: 98 Ficht 150 hp semi seized

Agree + 1 with the above as it's not worth putting the money into it, especially on that mtr.
 
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