Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

Hawaiian · Nov 2, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

So if you do an oil change before you cover your boat for the winter and uncover it 6 months later, is it time for an other oil change? I don't mind spending $25 a year on oil changes for my 4 stroke, it is quick and easy. I'd rather spend an additional $25 a year for a tested and proven motor than risk buying a motor that is new to the market.

walleyehed · Nov 2, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

Forktail, I'm being fun here, but I will bet you a months pay that they mean 100hrs, or 6 months-WHICHEVER COMES FIRST...That is EXACTLY what the OR means. Preventative maintenance is just that-preventing a problem before it happens.....By draining oil every 6 months, you are draining the polutants, as well. Where as in 100hrs., the oil is going through break-down, and it's time to be changed. If you don't put 100hrs. on it in 6 months, it's time to get the corrosive oil out! Common sense.......... When you are done with your boat in the fall/winter, drain and change the oil, and it's ready to run next season-to answer the question of whether it has to be changed if you don't use it.....H*LL NO!!

seahorse5 · Nov 2, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

Forktail, Not being confrontational or anything, I just work on these motors on a daily basis and have to deal with customers, factories, warranties, and "extended warranty" companies. By the way, your owners manual is for a 2002 model motor. What is your complete model number? You might have an older motor than you think.

Forktail · Nov 3, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

"...I just work on these motors on a daily basis and have to deal with customers, factories, warranties, and "extended warranty" companies." Then you, of all people, should know how important maintenance is. I'm sure you've seen what happens to outboards that have had zero maintenance for 3 years, especially in the salt. What makes the E-tech any different? "By the way, your owners manual is for a 2002 model motor. What is your complete model number? You might have an older motor than you think." It doesn't matter what edition owner's manual I have. It says nothing about "whichever comes first". Nothing personal, but I'm glad you don't handle my warranty. wallyhead, I know what you're trying to say, but you're making assumptions. Remember, not all F115's have hour meters. Some are tillers. In the case of a tiller, "whichever comes first" doesn't even apply because there is no way to keep track of time (unless the owner uses a stop watch and log book). "Or" means "or". (6 months) is a reference for those without hour meters. BTW, from time to time I send in oil samples out of my F115's to Blackstone labs. Even after 6 months, the "corrosive" and "pollutant" levels are well within safe limits. I can see an E-tech on the week-end warrior's small ski boat or bass boat. Occassional use for owners who don't know how, or don't like to do maintenance. But I'm having a hard time picturing these "maintenance free" outboards on the back of my guide boats 100 miles out in the gulf in a squall....day in and day out. Seems to be lots of praise for the E-tech...but I don't see anyone actually using one.

SeaDawg · Nov 3, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

No this one may really add fuel to the topic, but I feel that if you live around saltwater, and can't change your boat engine oil, in a 100 HP range motor, you should not have ANY boat or motor. There's too many things that can go wrong, that having any little bit of mechanical ability will greatly help. I'm afraid to go fishing with half of my friends, because of the shape they leave their boat and motor. E-tec would not help them either. This year when I performed my annual fall maintenance (I use my boat all year long),my 15 year old daughter changed my 1996 Mariner (made by Yamaha) 50 HP 4-stroke engine oil, she greased the boat fittings, and she changed the lower unit lube. (I broke the drain plugs loose for her, but she already had the correct wrenches and screwdrivers waiting) At the same time, I checked the valve clearances (they have never needed adjusted, by the way), changed the spark plugs, and changed the fuel/water separator filter, and double checked her work. We were both done in about an hour or so, and I spent the rest of the day "malling" with her, for helping me. I had maybe 40 bucks in all parts and lubes involved (I run synthetic lubes too). And, another 50 bucks or so spent on her for helping me. I like the 4-strokes.............

Forktail · Nov 3, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

I have to agree with everything you said SeaDawg. Plus it seems like you're a cool dad with a great daughter. Way to go!

BillP · Nov 3, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

We really don't know enough about the etec technology to know what "no maintenance" is all about. The "smart guys" say technology doubles every 2-3 yrs so the claims could be real. Remember when points were replaced with electronic ignitions and everyone thought lower maintenance claims were bogus? Car motors used to last about 50k miles before they had oil filters and motor wear decreased drastically when filters were used...etc. Even 5-6 years ago you would have been laughed off the planet with 2 stroke fuel burn claims of the new 2 strokes VS 4 strokes. Maybe the Bomb has something...if they can afford to use the latest technology, materials, etc their motor would kick everyone's butt. bp

Forktail · Nov 4, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

I hope so Bill. I need the best there is.

I just can't understand all the praise here for the E-tech (to a point of complaining about changing oil in a 4-stroke), when we know nothing about it. No history. None seen on the water.

walleyehed · Nov 4, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

Fortail, how do you know "we" know nothing about it (E-TEC)??????? There IS someone amongst the "we" that has seen it run, has been around one for about 20 hrs. worth. Short-time, yes, and as I said before in hinting what BOMBARDIER is capable of, and Merc WILL take a back seat to this one. It's actually been running almost 2 yrs. now-HARD........Keep your eyes peeled...

Forktail · Nov 4, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

One guy...20 hrs...on a prototype? Get real.

Show me one with 3,000 trouble-free hours on it, that's been abused in a commercial salt water environment. Then I'll think about hanging them on my boats. I've never even seen one on a boat yet, let alone seen one at a dealer. But I'm sure they're all over out there running circles around the guys changing oil on their 4-strokers.

walleyehed · Nov 4, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

Why are you stuck on 4-stroke oil changes?????????? The E-TEC they ran at Cedar Bluff was there for 7 days, and I had the opertunity to ask a few questions about it, and they were not giving many answers. I listened, watched, and followed on 2 different days, and if it runs a lifetime as it did those 2 days, it's gonna be a good one. I did ask how long they had been running the engine, but they wouldn't give an hour figure. It's got a sound of it's own, and is going to be interesting to see on the market.

walleyehed · Nov 4, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

BTW, It wasn't a prototype, it had already underwent a couple of changes since the first run. They also said there was about 100 engines running, and that they were happy, "so far".....

Forktail · Nov 4, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

Well, based on this vast experience with the E-tech, I think I'm going to switch back to DI 2-strokes....NOT! It's amazing how some people are so sure about a product that has no history. Maybe they heard it run one day, liked the sound, and decided it was the best thing since sliced bread. Who knows. It would be one thing if it were a new model or something, and we could base our opinions on past experiences with a related product....but the E-tech is apparently a whole new technology! I'm just not willing to bet the farm yet. You're going to have to do better than that walleyehed.

Forktail · Nov 4, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

BTW, anything produced prior to consumer production is a prototype. Why do you think they wouldn't answer your questions! After all this talk, all these comments about how wonderful the E-tech is, and all this experience "being around it", we still know no more than we did months ago. I hope it works out. Until then, the E-tech is going to have to earn it.

rodbolt · Nov 4, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

Hello go back to 97 and read the hype for the FICHT and OPTI-MAX. man those motors were supposed to be the kittens whiskers. one finnehed off OMC and the other blew so much that production was suspended for a time.the prototypes worked ok for the short careful testing period.they were dismal failures in the consumer world. I wish the Marine engine people had to follow the same standards as the auto when it came to servicing and lemon laws. Good luck and give me a set of carbs

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walleyehed · Nov 4, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

This isn't OMC anymore, boys..........

Also, I have no intensions of buying an E-TEC, as I couldn't afford it anyway. I do, however, believe the technology is there to provide a better outboard. Forktail, nothing personal was meant, as it appears you have taken it that way, and in no way did I mean that by "seeing one", or "hearing one", that it meant it was "GOOD". Thank you for correcting me on what a prototype was, as I thought that was only the original design.........

Forktail · Nov 5, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

I hold nothing personal walleyehed.

I'm certainly willing to be optimistic about better outboard technology. But before I can begin praising it, the product needs to earn its reputation. You seem to be skipping that part. And IMO, the E-tech isn't even out of the gates. In fact it appears that only a month ago it received its official emission rating, and programs are still in the works for getting dealers and service techs up to speed. No dealers where I live have one to look at. BTW, can anyone explain the fuel delivery system on the E-tech? What makes it different than say, Bombardier's Orbital injection (that they already use), or other direct injection?

RatFish · Nov 5, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

I'm all for new technology but it really can't hurt to make sure it gets a good "consumer shakeout" and proves itself before you spend your hard earned cash on it. Then again there are people who don't care and would do anything to have the "latest and greatest"... Money is not an issue... Not me, I'd stick with "proven" technology (two stroke or four stroke) for the next year or two. Just MHO.

josip_voyager · Nov 5, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

To Forktail BTW, can anyone explain the fuel delivery system on the E-tech? What makes it different than say, Bombardier's Orbital injection (that they already use), or other direct injection? Basic difference between E-tec and all others direct injected systems (like Yamaha HPDI, Mercury Optimax, Evinrude FICHT and Tohatsu/Nissan TLDI) is that E-tec dispose with electronic regulated system of movement control of injection pistons or pendulum in both directions, while the all other systems (like FICHT) move the pistons with electronic help only in one direction, and with help of one spring go back in opposite direction. This seems to be not big difference now, but with time, with fully electronically regulated injection, all future emission regulation (like EPA or CARB) will be fulfilled. Instead of only one injection of mixture in cylinder, E-tec has several mini-injections, with which it is possible to precisely regulate the combustion and smoke emission. E-tec system has no need for extern battery. Starting the engine is enough to full operation of fuel injection even with manual start if needed. Sparks don't give just one spark, than a lot of them (like a little spark factory in more milliseconds). That guarantee mixture ignition almost 100%. There are several ignition systems on the market, which can the same, but they need battery to do that (to supply the system with enough energy and engine fast enough in rotation bring). I hope it will be understandable enough (technical English is not my native language). All other details (tables, graphs...) you can download from http://www.boote-magazin.de/bto/boote_artikel/show.php3?id=519&nodeid=4&nodeid=64&artikel=long

BillP · Nov 6, 2003

Re: Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

At this point I'm more concerned with dealer support on the E-Tech than "if" it works. When OMC tanked so did the dealer network. Most of those guys are now Yamaha or Merc dealers. I don't want a Merc, Yamaha, Suzuki, etc. mechanic working on my "OMC" or Bombadier motor. Just for the record, my Mariner (Merc) motor goes to my Merc dealer for work and my OMC motors still go to the "OMC" dealer.

Evinrude e-tec or Yamaha 4 Stroke

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