Would you buy an Evinrude 90hp Outboard 6 years old and never used?

jimg

jimg

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
1,901
Location
Dartmouth
Visit site
I am looking at a small boat that is 6 years old and has been stored unused since new and is powered by an Evinrude 90hp Fight Ram injection outboard engine with power tilt and trim.

It is claimed that it has been in undercover storage all this time and the engine was serviced last year and has only run 2 hours.

What do you think I should be looking for to be sure the engine is not hiding some problems, or should I just run away?

Cheers
Jimg
 
Like most things depends a bit on price ....

Underuse can often be a problem.

If the engine has sat unused for extended periods possible problems arise in internal corrosion, sticking components (unless its been turned over frequently?), fuel deposits / blockages (if not drained correctly) and perished rubber components (impeller?).

Anything is worth a look, if you aren't confident to assess it yourself, do you have any friends that would have a look with you.
 
jimg said:
I am looking at a small boat that is 6 years old and has been stored unused since new and is powered by an Evinrude 90hp Fight Ram injection outboard engine with power tilt and trim.

It is claimed that it has been in undercover storage all this time and the engine was serviced last year and has only run 2 hours.

What do you think I should be looking for to be sure the engine is not hiding some problems, or should I just run away?

Cheers
Jimg
Click to expand...

Only the Swedes would make a boat that never gets used ;)

Could have problems with dried up seals and stuff I suppose.
 
jimg said:
I am looking at a small boat that is 6 years old and has been stored unused since new and is powered by an Evinrude 90hp Fight Ram injection outboard engine with power tilt and trim.

It is claimed that it has been in undercover storage all this time and the engine was serviced last year and has only run 2 hours.

What do you think I should be looking for to be sure the engine is not hiding some problems, or should I just run away?
Click to expand...

I think you mean Ficht not Fight - which may help you googling info about these engines. You need to be aware that the early Ficht direct injection engines had some quite serious (often terminal) issues with them. Other people may have a different version of events, but here is how I understand it:

OMC introduced the Ficht DI range in the late nineties
The Ficht range had some serious engineering issues, which damaged the brand enormously.
OMC fixed the problems.
But the brand damage was so bad OMC went under (how big a part the Ficht problems played in that depends on who you listen to).
Bombardier bought out OMC and resuscitated the Ficht range, the engineering was apparently improved agains and this became the E-Tec range which has proven to be very reliable and robust. This was around 2004 - which makes "your" engine possibly old stock even 6 yrs ago.

Now if your engine really is only 6 yrs old it should be a "fixed" ficht rather than an original. It is still not an Etec though.

You should be aware that the Ficht reputation has damaged the resale values, even of engines which were after the "fix" was introduced. Quite simply people don't want to take the risk. If you are prepared to take the risk - bear in mind that anyone you try to sell it on to may not see it the same way.

I normally consider myself a rational person - but I'd rather have an 6 yr old etec with 100 hrs on it than a 6yr old ficht with 2 hours on it. In fact I'd be naturally suspicious of any engine that was 6 yrs old with only 2hrs on it - did something bad happen? has it just had a new ECU?
 
RIB imposter has made very valid observations and comments
The early Ficht units (it was a 'clever' fuel system) had some right problems
The stigma has lasted until very recently
A 6 year old unit may be one that was sorted.
The other snags could be but not necessarily as Tinckicker pointed out
Dried seals.
This gives probs such as a loss of crancase compression etc.
There may be an issue with stuck or 'sticky' piston rings.

So--- what to do?
Well, it is a gamble.
If you can buy the plot at the right money go for it.
Then use flee bay as a saviour if the engine is duff
It amazes me what peeps pay for stuff on there.

If you can't be bothered walk away!
 
tinkicker0 said:
Only the Swedes would make a boat that never gets used ;)

Could have problems with dried up seals and stuff I suppose.
Click to expand...

Thought I was only worried about the age, did not realise there was a question mark over the engine design!

I guess if I can get it cheap enough I could cost in a decent and recent second hand replacement?

Hmmm....:confused:
 
Evinrude Ficht

Not sure who's selling the boat, but how about getting the serial no. of the engine and asking Mark at Wills Marine about whether this is a "fixed" one or not. He's always been very straight with us over the years. They've been Evinrude dealers for quite a while now.
 
Get the model number of the engine

Ignore the last letter, the previous two will give you the year of manufacture.

I = 1
N = 2
T = 3
R = 4
O = 5
D = 6
U = 7
C = 8
E = 9
S = 0

So a 2004 model will be SR ( followed by a suffix letter which you ignore)

A 2004 model will be a BRP engine and all the old OMC troubles will have been sorted.

In fact I think you will find that a Ficht Ram Injection system is OK

Do a Google Search for Ficht and you will able to read all about the problems with the old OMC system


Assuming you buy the boat and engine read This Item
on the iBoats forums about "Awakening a Sleeping Outboard".


.
 
Last edited:
VicS said:
Get the model number of the engine

Ignore the last letter, the previous two will give you the year of manufacture.

I = 1
N = 2
T = 3
R = 4
O = 5
D = 6
U = 7
C = 8
E = 9
S = 0

So a 2004 model will be SR ( followed by a suffix letter which you ignore)

A 2004 model will be a BRP engine and all the old OMC troubles will have been sorted.

In fact I think you will find that a Ficht Ram Injection system is OK

Do a Google Search for Ficht and you will able to read all about the problems with the old OMC system


Assuming you buy the boat and engine read This Item
on the iBoats forums about "Awakening a Sleeping Outboard".


.
Click to expand...

Who needs Wills Marine!!!???
 
RIB_imposter said:
I normally consider myself a rational person - but I'd rather have an 6 yr old etec with 100 hrs on it than a 6yr old ficht with 2 hours on it.
Click to expand...

I don't know if all the bad E-tecs were sent south of the equator or not, but as discussed previously on another thread, I saw personally and heard of many problems from industry sources, particuarly the early models of this technology.

On the examples known to me, at about 100 hours meant catastrophic failure.
 
Last edited:
I am looking at a small Nordkapp and they all seem to be fitted with Evinrudes.

I am now tending to the slightly newer models that are fitted with an E-tec engine, are you implying that these are a potential problem as well?

Cheers
Jimg
 
I would run a mile, the last thing you need on a boat is an engine you have doubts about.

It's not like a car where you can just pull over onto the hard shoulder !!
 
From what I understand the earlier E-tec engines ran with minimal oil, pretty much right on the edge.

Our local source (tech) found that when the early engines where installed on a power cat, that operates with a fair amount of water-spray, due to the ingestion of moisture and minimal oil for lubrication, problems occurred.

On my last surviving workboat E-tec engine currently (90 hp), there is no doubt they are very frugal with oil consumption, and they do start very easily. The engine has done little work (hours), although I expect it to go the way of the others, so its kept for Sunday driving only.

Word is with the newer models oil consumption, therefore lubrication is higher.

Another point that was raised is the high pressure fuel injection, running at 800 psi, and claims of excessive strain on big end bearings over a long period of time.
The Merc. Optimax runs at 80 psi and uses nearly twice the amount of lube oil.

To be fair though, the same source mentioned Yamaha suffered similar issues
with their HPDI models over time in high houred/commercial applications.

I'm sure most companies have issues early on introducing new technology.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top