1999 Evinrude 225 ficht Loss of power.

[shadow123]

I have a 1999 Stratos 290 Fish And Ski Intruder with Evinrude Ficht 225. Model e225fpleed, Serial # sg04717115. I use the boat year round. I went to the lake Friday the motor has loss some RPM'S only 5100 AND the top end speed 48 MPH. I notice this problem last time out so i changed the spark plugs before i went but did not help. The motor is not skipping or running sluggish just loss of power. I use a fule Additive about once a month. Can someone please help tell me what may be wrong and what to check? The boat used to run 58-60 mph. and turn 5500- 5800 rpm's.

[MigAz]

May be time for a compression test. Did you do that?

[bassingaround]

Man, I hate the compression test!

[BfloSmallies]

After compression, you really need the software to see if the motor is throwing any codes, have you decarbed the motor lately and were the plugs indexed properly!

[Danrude]

+1 on the de-carb.

[shadow123]

I had a compression test everything was ok. The motor a couple of week's ago after trolling for 3-4 Hrs. I went to take off and the motor started running rough and stoped running. The motor would turn over but would'nt crank. I had a friend fishing in the area that came to tow me to the boat ramp. On the way to tha ramp i tried to start the motor a few times it would run for about 20 -30 sec. and cut off but it was running rough the whole time.Finally it started running better while he was towing me .I took the tow rope off and gave the motor gas a little at a time it was running rough but did'nt turn off. Once i got to the boat ramp i open the gas all the way the engine seemed to run fine 53mph - 5500rpm's. Could i have an injector problem or fule problem. I changed the fule filter did'nt help.Can someone explain the D -carb.?

[Danrude]

That motor does not like a lot of idling, it will build up a lot of carbon. Your symptoms all sound like you need a good de-carb. You did not say when you last did it.

[shadow123]

I don't know what a de-carb is I have had the boat for 3-Yrs. Had the lower unit changed, but the boat ran great afterwards.How do i do a de-carb? Would'nt the motor run rough if it needed de carb. Last time out it ran smooth but loss of power 48mph. 5100 rpms.I have added a fule additive if that's what you mean. Can you add a De- Carb straight to the fule filter thank's Shadow123


Modified by shadow123 at 7:42 AM 4/12/2009

[BfloSmallies]

One of the main problems with the early FICHT's was people using them for prolonged trolling or long idling periods, it leads to a high amount of carbon to build up and then some engine failures You can do a search on this site for de-carboning and you will numerous results. Yes it will run rough and lose some power with carbon buildup. A fuel additive such as Stabil or Seafoam will help reduce carbon build up. If you can afford it, run Evinrude XD-100 and you will not need a fuel additive.

[ChampioNman]

Pull the airbox off the throttle plates and make sure that they are opening fully. As you look at the linkage you will see a black plastic pin sticking straight up that moves the butterflies. There should be a clear plastic roller covering the pin. This contacts the timing arm if there is a gap there then you won't get full WOT. The best way to decarb is to use BRP engine tuner and with the motor running on cooling muffs spray it down each throttle body. Does the boat stay it the water?

[shadow123]

The boat does'nt stay in the water


Modified by shadow123 at 10:47 AM 4/13/2009

[ChampioNman]

Then check your throttle plates and the roller first. Did you index the plugs when you installed them?

[MigAz]

I'm with these guys. If the motor hasn't been decarb, now is time. With that said, if it's NEVER been decarbed, you may want to ease into it with some initial fuel treatments of Sea Foam, then decarb.

Also, were the Ficht motors affected by the new spark plug specification, i.e. QC10WEP? Which spark plug did you install and did you index them?

One other thing, if you are seeing the a reduction in RPMs and the motor is running smooth, did you by chance nick your prop?

[shadow123]

I checked the throttle plates they are opening all the way. I did notice a little oil on the air cover were it covers the throttle plates is this nomal. The spark plugs i put in were qc12pep. champion. i did'nt index them. Can you explain which direction the injector sprays the plug.

[ChampioNman]

Sure thats easy take a magic marker and draw a line on the ceramic where the gap is. Ideally the mark will be facing the injector if it doesn't move it to another cylinder. The goal is to have the mark 90* or closer to the injector. You can move the plugs around the motor but as stated facing the injector is the best. Gap them a .028 tight.

This link should help you better understand. http://www.boatsetup.com/PlgIndexing.html

[leckbass]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ChampioNman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> The best way to decarb is to use BRP engine tuner and with the motor running on cooling muffs spray it down each throttle body. Does the boat stay it the water? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Wont this make the motor over rev if its out of the water an not in gear?