going to look at a 07 225 etec, what all should I check/test?

[SparkieBoat]

A local guy has an 07 225 etec for sale. low hours. claims he just had the powerhead rebuilt. and now the gearcase has gone out. what all should I test/check besides compression?

 

[Faztbullet]

Leakdown,compression,codes and paperwork where it was rebuilt. If it has the "lighting"gearcase its 98.5% not rebuildable. The SEI gearcases work just don't tell them it a Etec, they will last about 2 years....

 

[SparkieBoat]

how can I tell what gearcase it is? also are you for real they do not make a reliable longer lasting gearcase for these things? I guess I would need the OMC program and a special cable to pull the codes.
thanks Fazt

 

[Faztbullet]

The blue one is a lighting the white a magnum.....

 

[SparkieBoat]

so why can you not rebuilt the lighting cases? thats crazy to not be able to.
any thoughts on the etec diagnostic cable and program that is selling for under $100?

 

[daselbee]

Sparkie, I would not buy it until I got a computer hooked up to it.
I bought my 2004 Ficht in 4 pieces. Powerhead being one of the pieces.
I hooked a battery to it, pulled plugs, jumped the starter and did the compression test.
I also hooked up my computer to it, looked for codes, looked at the temp history, and importantly, ran the static tests that the software allows.

Loaded it up, got it home, re-assembled it, went boating.

 

[Faztbullet]

so why can you not rebuilt the lighting cases?

They are designed to run a higher transom setting and get banged pretty hard from the prop surfacing and also the cases are thin. What happens is they torque out of alignment and cause pinion gear failure. Any time you build a V-6 case it should be check with a gearcase alignment tool to see if torqued out of alignment. The lighting gearcase has about a 100-150 hr lifespan on a DI engine.

 

[boobie]

If it was myself I'd stay away from it. JMO.

 

[daselbee]

Gearcase alignment tool? Never heard of it. And I bet my dealer hasn't either.
This is beyond the backyard mechanic realm.

What does thing thing look like?

Gonna check Monday. I bet a case of beer they don't know about it. Any takers?

 

[boobie]

You're on. I've see it in a tool catalog or a service up date. Look in a 2009 or 2010 service manual. They talked about them in the service update books.

 

[Faztbullet]

I have thrown housings away that looked nearly new due to them being out of alignment. If a unit chits a pinion for no reason(impact,low/no oil,contaminated oil) you can bet its warped and you can rebuild it and it will live about 10-15 hours before it pukes again...

 

[Faztbullet]

Next question is how it works.......see below.

 

[SparkieBoat]

If it was myself I'd stay away from it. JMO.

I thought etecs were good motors. Seems like the gear cases sux. I can get the motor for about $3K I figured I could resale it for around $8K with a new gearcase. supposedly the powerhead is brand new rebuild. I never knew about a case alignment tool..just seems like they could make a case that does not warp for an extra $100 or so. go figure. I am about to step up my outboard maintenance business and start working on fuel injected and fourstokes, I have some experience with hooking a yamaha 4 stroke up to my laptop and some knowledge about how to troubleshoot those motors. there is just not much money to be made with carbbed engines anymore.

 

[daselbee]

OK Boobie....you too Fazt.....if my dealership DOES KNOW, I owe you guys a case.

I will be honest. I will go down there and talk it over with the service guys....see what they say...on Monday.

Fazt...Boobie....where is the warpage? What part of the case is warped? Is it bent where the bullet meets the upper part....right in the area just below the
water pickups?

It it twisted? Or is every one different?

 

[SparkieBoat]

any thoughts on this diagnostic cable kit from ebay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PROFESSIONA...ing-/331057006367?hash=item4d1489071f&vxp=mtr

 

[boobie]

Dasel, I can't answer your question as I never had the opportunity to use it. I just knew it was there.

 

[Faztbullet]

They are twisted out of shape....

 

[daselbee]

Well, Okee Dokey.....for sure the Brevard Marine dealership absolutely knew about the gearcase alignment tools.

They brought out the tool catalog, and showed me the ones they had purchased for the different model gearcases.

So....I owe Boobster and Fazt a case o beer. Pm me with your contact info...Payapl account info, or snailmail address....looking forward to paying up.

I gotta have more faith in the locals.

 

[SparkieBoat]

you are a good man dasel.. LOL. Just FYI I ended up buying a small pile of outboards yesterday. No time for that etec right now. I got 2 mid 80s OMC 175s almost complete, 1 87 175 power head minus the heads and starter, a V-4 not sure what it is yet and a 1974 merc 50 4 Cylinder. I never seen a 4 cylinder 50hp before. I bet this thing will move out.