What's up with the FICHT Outboards?

[ToonGuy]

Why do people hate these things? I always hear people say they'd never own one, but no one can tell me why???

[Bamaman]

That engine was OMC's entry into the high tech mechanical world. Engineering wasn't up to par, and the engines were troublesome. Unfortunately, the company wasn't successful and closed/liquidated.

Bombardier purchased Johnson/Evinrude's assets and spent considerable time and money developing their ETEC line of EPA compliant 2 stroke outboards. After some beginning problems with ETECs, they seem to have straightened them out. Now, virtually every brand of outboard motor in the U.S. are very good products.

ETEC claims no engine break in's, and very little maintenance the first few years. They're stronger than a 4 stroke in acceleration, and top end speed is maybe 1 or 2 mph higher than 4 strokes. They're good if you're into heavy water sports--tubing and skiing. 4 strokes are much quieter, smoother, and more efficient at normal pontoon boat speeds. Most pontoon boat owners on this forum prefer 4 strokes.

[ToonGuy]

That engine was OMC's entry into the high tech mechanical world. Engineering wasn't up to par, and the engines were troublesome.

This is the info I'm curious about...how were they troublesome? That's the question no one has been able to answer for me. Carb trouble? Oil injection trouble? Major internal issues? Electrical issues? Sure, I would love to have a new E-tech out back, but it's not in my budget. So I need to look to the older used power plant.

[jrolin1]

Major engine failure, injector running lean burning out cylinder, coupled with computer overheating/failure. Supposedly the later years were ok if updated but computer issues still happened. The 115 ficht was not supposed to be as bad as the bigger ones. The bigger ones had some lower unit issues also.

[Just Laxin]

Major engine failure, injector running lean burning out cylinder, coupled with computer overheating/failure. Supposedly the later years were ok if updated but computer issues still happened. The 115 ficht was not supposed to be as bad as the bigger ones. The bigger ones had some lower unit issues also.

Perxactly,,, some of my friends had them and everyone of them had major engine failures.

[RJF]

I had a 2001 90 hp that was an excellent motor. Only problem is it didn't like to troll. Fouled plugs after a few hours of non-stop trolling. Seafoam in the gas helped. Ran very well. Very economical. Very little smoke, even at start-up.
The only problem with the brand was the late 90's six cylinder models. 150 and 175 hp. Many of those powerheads failed. Problems were fixed in 1999 model year. All the four cylinders, and the larger six cylinders had no more problems than any other brand had problems. (All motors can have problems).

I liked mine.

My $.02

[Just Laxin]

I had a 2001 90 hp that was an excellent motor. Only problem is it didn't like to troll. Fouled plugs after a few hours of non-stop trolling. Seafoam in the gas helped. Ran very well. Very economical. Very little smoke, even at start-up.
The only problem with the brand was the late 90's six cylinder models. 150 and 175 hp. Many of those powerheads failed. Problems were fixed in 1999 model year. All the four cylinders, and the larger six cylinders had no more problems than any other brand had problems. (All motors can have problems).

I liked mine.

My $.02

My friends did have the 150's and they had the powerhead failures, one buddies powerhead failed twice. Yeah all motors can have problems but the 150's and 175's had consistent major problems. The 150 and 175 hp Ficht's did have more major problems than any other brand, sorry to say. During around that period I was doing Bass Tournaments from Calif. to Missouri and Texas to Montana and I saw alot of them go down, outside of my friends. Do a search esp. , I believe 1997 and '98 year models.

[ToonGuy]

Real info, thanks! Does any one know off hand when Bombardier took over? The motor my buddy is looking at right now is an 03 135HP.

[jrolin1]

They took over in 2003.