Ficht engine seized after dealer service

[FishinIsHeaven]

Had a new lift pump installed in my 2000 115 Ficht engine on July 19th.This was done to cure a rough idle hard smokey start condition.Took it out for our weeks vacation on July 23rd and ran it for 5 minutes idling around the launch and for 10 minutes at 5000 rpm when it lost rpm and shut down.No red lights, no alarms, nothing.Thinking it was a fuel issue (remember new pump just installed) I refired immediately and it idled and ran fine until I got back up on plane.Once on plane it again shut down and when I tried to restart it was obvious by the engine not wanting to spin over it was seized.No alarms sounded and no warning lights came on.This engine has 200 hours on it and until two weeks ago was trouble free with the exception of the fuel pump.
Is it possible when the dealer installed the new pump that something was not hooked back up correctly that would create this problem?If this happened to you what would you do?
I have an appointment with them in the morning but I'm not sure of what they are going to do or say.
The info on the engine tag is:
Model E115FPLSSR
Serial # G 04745079
CE 07/1999
Help!!


Modified by FishinIsHeaven at 12:15 PM 7/28/2005

[RUSTY63]

This is not good, get it to them and see what they find, give them a chance to make it right.


One thing you can check, pull one of the drain plugs on the gearcase...Be Careful there may be pressure in there, if there is you may have cooked a gearcase.

[FishinIsHeaven]

I'll let you know what happens.

[FishinIsHeaven]

No pressure or chunks in gearcase just clean oil.The plug was clean too.

[RUSTY63]

Well that's not good, give the dealer a chance to see what happened.

[Lockjaw]

Like they are going to admit they goofed it up? I would take it to a different dealer for an opinion, and if they say something was done wrong, take it back to the original dealer.

Sorry but unless I know them personally, I have little to no faith they will be honest.

[FishinIsHeaven]

Ran a compression test at the dealer and found #2 cylinder to read 25 lbs and the other 3 right at 120 lbs.There is a pronounced knock at idle which I believe to be rod bearings in #2.All 4 sparkplugs were clean with no aluminum deposits on them.Oil lines appeared to be hooked up correctly but can't say for sure.At this point I think #2 was being washed with fuel through the pulse line because of the bad lift pump.This went on long enough to damage the bore and/or piston to a point where it was a matter of time before it failed.In other words the damage started before the new LP was installed.If I had seen the other 3 cylinders with similar damage I would feel differently.As it stands right now he said he'd cover the labor and I'll foot the bill for the parts only.If it turns out he made an error in assembly he'll pay the whole thing.Once he tears it down maybe something else will come to light but for now parts only seems fair to me.My biggest concern is how reliable is an engine that has only one piston/rod and bearings replaced?Is this the right thing to do or is there a better solution?

[RUSTY63]

That makes since.

Im glad to see the dealer has stepped up and has offered labor, he does not have to, as you posted the damage was most likely already there.

This to me is a sign of a Good dealer willing to help with the problem to keep your business.

There is no problem replacing one piston as it has no affect on the motor, he should replace the ring sets on the other pistons also.

The motor will be just as reliable as it was new, just has a few more hours on it.

Hope this helps.

[FishinIsHeaven]

What would you estimate the parts cost to be?Do you think $500 would cover it or am I dreamin?
Do you replace the rings in sets so all cylinders are equal?
Do the cylinders get a slight hone to "break the glaze".
Does the computer need to be reset to a break in oiling schedule?
Sorry for all the questions but most of my engine experience is with autos not outboards.

[RUSTY63]

Cost, a bit more than that.

Rings come in packs of one set per piston.

Yes.

Yes.

That's OK, hope you don't mind my short answers.

[FishinIsHeaven]

Don't mind

[RUSTY63]

If you need a close number on the parts cost send me an IM.

[FishinIsHeaven]

Update: #2 piston, rod, rings and bearings to be replaced along with #4 piston. New rings all around and boring out #2 and #4 .030 over. No head damage or metal found banging around inside. Crank looks perfect. I estimate $800.00 in parts before were through.

[RUSTY63]

At least it was repairable.

[FishinIsHeaven]

Amen! Beats 4500.00 powerhead.

[ChampioNman]

Good deal glad it worked out for you ! CM

[FishinIsHeaven]

Thanks CM I am too! I'm going nuts not being able to fish...I'm about ready to set hook on my dog.

[FishinIsHeaven]

Picked up the boat today and the total bill was $952.00.
That included $87.00 for filling his Dodge up with $3.00 a gal diesel.
He ran the boat for 3 hours yesterday and ended up replacing the pdp at no charge.
There was a no power no start issue that was a new problem so hopefully that'll cure it.
John Reed at Inland boats in Ellensburg Wa took great care of me on this. I highly recommend him for all your Evinrude needs in our area.
Blake :

[Bassmeister]

[RUSTY63]

Glad you have your boat back and looks like the bill was reasonable.