too much technology,or worse?

[starcraft1982]

My cousins 2007 250 proxs just bit it.Bought brand new,maintained per specs,did awesome for first 2 1/2 yrs.This yr,did great early season,had coil pack go out few mos. ago.This past weekend.went out and while moving,the motor now sounds like theres a midget inside the cowl rapping in it w/a sledgehammer.temp guage read 150(always ran at 130).He shut down immediately and came in 2miles on lake erie in 5 footers w/trolling motor.Yes its still under warranty,but what is the deal w/new motors?Theres gobs of 30+yr old motors still purring today.Newer motors are seemingly made"disposable"anymore.Is the technlolgy getting too great for the"dated"design of combustion motors.Or are the motor manufacturers finally over the edge in "cutting cost tactics"?just wanting to hear some opinions on the $15000 plus motors that are lasting like 200hrs anymore.with that said,just try to get my 1988 xr4 away from me!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: too much technology,or worse?

It is hard to condem all newer motors based upon your cousins mishap, and your good fortune. That is two data points out of several million motors manufactured in that timeframe. I don't think your point is statistically significant.

Some motors are excellent and some are dogs, but that is based upon usage, design and materials used, not year manufactured. Remember the early 70's Vega with it's aluminum cylinders that were treated to harden them up? If the motor got too hot, the treating was ruined and the cast iron piston rings made short work of the cylinder walls. That was a bad design, unless you could be sure the motor wouldn't overheat. That technology had a lot of promise. I do not know if it has been used anywhere else, but I think it may show up again.

The Early FICHTs were bad as well. As were some older Johnnys and Mercs.

 

[starcraft1982]

Re: too much technology,or worse?

I understand your reply.Im not basing this on any one particular event.To me,it seems the life span of fuel injected 2 strokes and even newer four strokes is significantly less than a carbed 2 stroke.And wiith that.,I wonder why?Is the technology producing more opportunity for failure or,are manufacturers cutting corners for the bottom line on a spreadsheet?Just curious what others thought.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: too much technology,or worse?

The problem is the ECU's,mapping, and temp's to get a higher EPA rating. The engines run on the "lean side" all the time and thats why they are more finicky with fuel/oil types. The XS is a sort of a "Hot rod" in the 3.0l line and has had a few problems with bad coils (defect when made) on the 07-08 engines..

 

[8hygro]

Re: too much technology,or worse?

Much of the "quality control" has literally been abandoned in todays manufacturing environment. Much of this is from the reliance on automation as well as the attitude from the top of corporate. The bean counters have alot of say. The "real market" simply has little effect on product image...the attorneys and marketing departments get paid the big bucks to keep it that way.

8hygro

 

[chum1]

Re: too much technology,or worse?

Much of the "quality control" has literally been abandoned in todays manufacturing environment. Much of this is from the reliance on automation as well as the attitude from the top of corporate. The bean counters have alot of say. The "real market" simply has little effect on product image...the attorneys and marketing departments get paid the big bucks to keep it that way.

8hygro

This may be partially true and false, if somebody doesnt buy a product its going to disappear, look at omc outdrives, they outright sucked bad and nobody liked them that i know of except for maybe a few $90.00 hr mechanics, in the late 60's and 70's recreational everything was being produced on a massive scale, the dollar went a lot further for a lot of folks and the market was flooded.

Whats the average yearly salary for the general public today... $30?/ $35k a year? Would someone pay 1/2 a years wages on an outboard......fat chance!!

With fewer engines being made along with "BIG GOV"/ attorney/ greedy good guy politician watching out for us forcing more rules = higher cost per unit, more complex mandated EPA systems and big time competition from cheap labor in other countries who thinks quality is not getting water on there head while working and can pour a mold for a wok as fast as a lower end and be happy doing it for a bowl of rice and a box of band aids.

Quality goes out the window when outside sources force ingenuity aside.

 

[8hygro]

Re: too much technology,or worse?

Both our points are "tied-in". In the name of keeping this on topic and to the point I illustrated it quickly. Many do not understand. Look who's making all of what you elude to possible...actually enticing it and who's ROI is benifitting from it. I have worked in a R&D capacity with several japanese oems. Since 1992 things have changed drastically.

8hygro