How are these motors I might go look at a used 1999 Stratos 283 Vindicator with Evinrude 150 Ficht ? What does the ficht stand for ? Thanks
How are these motors I might go look at a used 1999 Stratos 283 Vindicator with Evinrude 150 Ficht ? What does the ficht stand for ? Thanks
From everything I've heard or read about these motors,I wouldn't buy it. They had alot of problems with them. Someone with alot more knowledge on this board can fill you in.
"Stay thirsty my friends"
The ficht is a fuel injected instead of carbed engine. the fichts had alot of bugs that haven't been worked out.
A 99 ficht that is still running is a rarity, so to speak. The early fichts were problem bound. It wouldhave to be almost given to me, so I would price the rig low! Personally I would look for something 02 or later! JMHO
Was the problem just with the FI system , are there no fixes for the problems , is this a dog all the way around ?
I have a 98 150 Ficht and guess I am lucky so far, very little problems and it runs strong. I won't put any money in it though, if anything happens I am buying another motor or a new boat. From what advice I have been given, its pot luck if you get one that will last and they are unreliable, not worth fixing.
My 02. cents
Kbass
I was at my local dealers Wed. and watched him turn a guy down that wanted him to rebuild a 99 FICHT. He said they were not worth rebuilding and if he did rebuild it he could not offer a warranty with it for his labor because he knew before doing it that it would not hold together. Said there was too many problems with those engines. The guy told him he was the second dealer to tell him that so there must be something to it. The guy ended up pricing a new ETEC and is going to go that route.
Are the problems in all 99's or just the 150-175? I have a 225 in the shop right now for piston slap, just waiting to hear back from them.
I don't know for sure, but the dealer I was at Wed. said he wouldn't touch any of the FICHT's that old. I think he meant 99 and older. I know he just rebuilt a 2000 model 225 so I assume its just 99 and older. He had 2 of the older Fichts in the corner of his shop that were blown that he didn't rebuild and just robs parts from them. So you might want to do more investigating on your motor if its blown and going to need a rebuild. It might be the start of a bunch of headaches. Could be better off looking for another engine.
I just got rid of my '99 ficht 150 about two months ago after the powerhead blew for the THIRD time! Multiple other problems over the years also. Beware with this year OMC product as quality control at OMC went out the window in '99 just before the bankruptcy.
JEFF SCHMIDT - NORTH PORT, FL
'13 RANGER Z518 COMANCHE / '13 MERCURY PRO XS 200
Thanks for te advice. This is the first major problem the motor has had and I think it has around 400-450 hours on it. I will just have to wait and see. I still have a few months of extended warranty so that might help.
If your still under warranty don't worry about it. Your actually really lucky for it to be under warranty. They'll have to do what ever it takes to get it right again and if I'm not mistaken if they have to replace your powerhead it is covered by an additional 1 year warranty even if the rest of your warranty runs out. Need to double check that with one of the Rude experts on here but that was what happened to a friend of mine with a 2000 225hp Ficht. Powerhead blew about a month before the warranty was out and it was still covered 11 months after the rest of the warranty ran out. Good thing too because he ended up popping it again. So you just need to take it to the shop and tell them you want it fixed right.
If a power head is replaced under warranty....extended or other wise there is no additional warranty added.....If you have 2 months left and the power head is replaced, you still have 2 months left.
If the power head is from an after market company they may offer a 1 year warranty on the part itself or if the power head is purchased it will come with a 1 year warranty.
Shaft:
Look at my post "High Temperature and Alarm light coming on". I am currently having problems with a 2000 year 200hp FICHT. Over $1400 in bills and problem not fixed. Several mechanics and dealer advise against new powerhead as these motors have all kinds of problems. Still hard to buy new with the high prices. Still searching for an answer to the problem. Just my $.02 worth.
John, did you try the suggestion about the temp sensor pockets in the heads?
Cattail,
Is it possible to replace the powerhead with a newer one, say a 2003? I don't know if it will work or solve any problems. Just a thought.
The plan is to look first at making sure there is no blockage in any of the water jackets near the subject cylinder. If none, we are going to look at the cylinder from the aspect of stuck rings. From there its anybody's guess - re-build or replacement powerhead.
These engines need proper care to keep them clean.
I have ran a 1998 150 Ficht since new and had good luck with it. They run faster than any thing in their class with less fuel and oil. The bad rap they have gotten is from trollers and guys not keeping them clean inside. Carbon is deadly to these engines, If you use engine tuner twice a year, use carbon gaurd and 2+4 in every tank of fuel, they preform as good as any other engine. Just dont idle around all the time and use the chemicals and you should be fine
Triton, I have to agree with the fast. I am running a 150 on a 19' Javelin and I can get 65-68 out of it. Not to many 19 footers can run 65 with a 150 and I am a fata$$. I have been decarboning also but have not used the 2+4.
Kbass
I also have a 1998 150 FICHT on the back of my 21ft Bayliner Trophy WAC that is only used off shore for Spearfishing.
It now has 560 hours on it, and starts and runs perfect, and runs really quiet I listened to all of the good advice given out by Rusty, and use the proper chemicals.
It hauls my 3500lb boat along at arounf 42-44 mph on the GPS and I still get 3 times better gas mileage than the Force 120 that was on there previously.
I will say this though, it will not get any money tipped into it if it does end up puking it's guts all over the Gulf of Mexico, I could then see a shiny new ETEC on the back of the cuddy cabin.
Asking the right questions and following the advice of the experts on this forum will hopefully prolong the life of the motor.
Skippy
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