2006 ETEC HO problem

Serial No 5148989
Model No E225DHLSDF
ETEC 225 HO

First a question is about the Engine Identification Report. I noticed it says break-in time 1:53:04. What does this mean? Also what is being broke-in?

I bought the boat used last August from a reputable dealer so I did not pay much attention to the report when they gave it to me other then the RPM ranges and the temperatures.

Currently the boat is back at the dealer for the following problem. I was fishing a week ago in 30 degree air temperature and 48 degree water temperature. I was idling out of a cove and hit a stump. I was not going fast, I only had it in gear and did not have my foot on the hot foot. When I hit the stump it killed the motor. It started right back up and I continued to idle out. I ran to another cove a short distance away and everything was fine. I then started the motor and moved to a cut. Again everything was fine. I fished another 30 to 40 minutes and it started snowing. I started the engine and idled to the channel and took off for the ramp. I was turning left around a bend and the steering felt odd so I trimmed down a little and kept going. Next the motor seemed to rev but the boat was slowing down. I was only running at 45 to 50 and thought I just lost the lower unit. I did not want to stop for fear I would not get it going again so I kept going running it about 25. I noticed a knocking noise, at the dock I left it running while unloading the fish and my partner. I then idled over to the ramp to load it. After I got it loaded I messed with the lower unit and it seemed fine. I waited a few days for it to warm up and hooked it to the garden hose and pulled the hood. I started it up and put it in gear forward and then reverse several times checking the lower unit each time. It seemed fine but I could hear the knocking noise so I started looking at the engine and noticed on the port side there was what looked like used motor oil on the port side spark plugs and wires. The oil was on all 3 and one of the bolts between the plugs had a drip of oil dripping off it. I immediately shut it off and made an appointment to have it looked at. Points i failed to mention above, I checked the prop hub kit and it was fine. I have ran XD 100 oil since i have owned it. I put sea foam and marine stab in the fuel. I don't think the motor was warmed up when I took off. Any idea what this could be? <br /><br />
Modified by Pole Bender at 4:54 PM 4/4/2011


Modified by Pole Bender at 7:14 AM 4/5/2011

Not that anyone read my post or responded but found out today the motor blew. One month out of warranty on new power head. Guess the break-in time was for a new power head. Dealer trying to see if anything can be done to off set the cost. I like the dealer but the repair is unbelievable at $8000. Dam pay a fortune for a newer boat and 6 months later can't use it anymore.

So basiclly your motor blew with only 1 hour 53 mins. on your new powerhead? the break in time is set at 10 hours, by my understanding its using double oil consumption in that time frame. when they install a new powerhead, they can go into the computer and turn on the break in period. was this report you got from the dealer when you brought the boat? if so, how many hours have you put on the motor since purchased? i just had to put a new powerhead on my 07' last year, one month out of the factory warranty, the motor had right around 100 hours when it let go....sorry to hear this again from one Etec owner to another.

Break-in on the big blocks is 2 hours above 2500 rpm - the clock does not keep track below that rpm

Call customer service and explain your problem and your disappointment, 847-689-7090 and have the serial number handy.

Also ask your technician to call the dealer tech hotline and talk to them also.

Good luck.

Find out if it was the same failure as the first one, and if so, that means they did not repair the core problem that causes the engines to fail.

Motor now has 141 hours on, not sure yet on what the break-in time is at now but it is higher then 1:53 now. Would you mind sending me an IM of what your's cost to repair. I am still in shock over the rough amount to repair it. This is my first ETEC and I was really liking it until this happened. I just don't run it hard so I was expecting a long happy relationship until this happened.

I will call customer service tomorrow thank for that information. I will also talk to the technician about calling. Can you tell me how I would find out what happened the first time? I know the dealer took it on a trade for a new boat but do not think they performed the work on it the first time. The boat was a Pro Staff boat that went from Kansas to New York and back to Kansas to be traded on the new boat. I will ask to make sure this correct and see if the dealer knows what happened. Is there any other way to find out and the first repair?

Kind of disheartning reading this as my boat is having the powerhead replaced also. 2008 200HO lost cylinders 1 and 2 according to tech. 101.3 hours showing. Of course it is warranty but troubles me to think that I should expect this every 100 hours? On mine they couldn't tell me why it let go but said they ordered 2 injrctors and a powerhead. Let us know how this turns out.

So far no warranty help but I am holding out hope to move it up an level in the chain of command for another run at Evinrude. I have not yet been able to find out why it blew since the dealer is waiting for the next run at some warranty help. I also have not been able to find out why is blew the first time. I think the only way I am going to find out is to get an attorney to find out for me. I am not sure I am willing to have that expense to find out when it would more then likely be months before I find out while my boat is down.

It is hard not be negative about this but if I can not get any help from Evinrude I will never own another one. I feel the motor has a defect and they are hiding it and this does not sit well with me buy anything from them in the future. I know all motors can have problems but I get the feeling there were some know problems with the 2006 models and they know it.

I will let everyone know the final out come and thanks to those that responded.

Sorry man ,best of luck.
BIG BASS

Well after a great deal of stress and persistence BRP came through today and is covering the parts on my motor. Words can not describe how relieved I am. Thanks to all those that responded.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Pole Bender &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
It is hard not be negative about this but if I can not get any help from Evinrude I will never own another one.
</td></tr></table>


<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Pole Bender &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Well after a great deal of stress and persistence BRP came through today and is covering the parts on my motor. Words can not describe how relieved I am. </td></tr></table>


Now would be a good time to write a letter of thanks and tell Evinrude what a loyal customer you will be from now on.

The customer service department only gets complaints, very very seldom do the hardworking folks there ever get a thank you. Go brighten up their day by an act of kindness in writing.

I agree with you SEAHORSE

I called every person who helped me yesterday and thanked them. I wanted to make sure they knew how much it ment to me. I live in the customer service world and can count on one hand how many people have taken the time to call and thank me for helping them over the last 19 years. I can also name everyone of them, so I understand how much a thank you means.

That was very kind of you to call and thank them, however, a letter gets to the higher up bosses and looks good in a person's personel file, especially during employee review time. Not many people or departments get thanked in a letter so when one comes into the office, it is good news all around. Be sure to mention names if you decide to write a thank you.