E-TEC Experience

[Captains Cat]

Thanks Joe/Sea Wolf! I'm the second owner of the boat, have had it 2 years and have put 100+ hours on it in that time. It only had 200 hours on it when I bought it in 2002/3. It had sat idle at a marina for 5+ years when I bought it!

Not really considering replacing the Honda's, just like new stuff! The E-Tecs sound really great so far!

Charlie

[Sea Wolf]

Charlie-

I really have nothing against the Hondas, it's just that I studied all the 75-100 hp 4-strokes for several years before I bought my new Yammi and was disappointed that they seemed to lag so far behind in adopting the newer technology and therefore weren't a viable option.

We're just carrying on some fun / rival discussions between outboard brands here to liven things up a bit!

Nice talking to you!! Joe.

[Chuck B]

Thanks, Sawdust, for the prop info. For anyone interested, here is the link to a technology white paper on E-TEC (in PDF format):

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/IAME44-1_e-tec.pdf

This same Whaler site (continuouswave.com) has a number of threads on E-TEC in their forums, with some interesting information. Like the fact that an owner can hook up a PDA to the motor's electronic engine management module, and get his own complete diagnostic readout. We're entering a new era, I guess.

[C-WEED]

Chuck,

That is one informative website article on the design. I think the engine should be called the "HIGH-TEC" instead of E-TEC. That injector is both simple and effective.

The first thing I thought was: What happens when you start the engine below freezing with moisture in the fuel? That injector is gonna burst. Seems they thought of that and use the vapour seperator that steams off condensation and feeds it in to the intake if needed. Sounds too me like you can redirect the vapour tube, run gasahol and get a little white-lightning on the side

My other concern is how do they monitor the oil injection to prevent a lean condition that burns up th engine? The low-tech (VRO) variable ratio oil injection only had a low oil level alarm for the reservoir. If you develop an air leak to a cylinder the piston burns without warning. My dad has a scorched VRO sitting in his barn now. The high tech oil injection monitors everything. It can run at 1200 RPM all day on what oil is in the crankcase when started! Amazing...


I think Bombardier is Canadian but this thing is basically made in America, right? Even more Amazing!

I want one

[Chuck B]

Chris, yes, Bombardier is a Canadian company, and yes the Evinrude E-TEC's are engineered and built in Wisconsin. Even if folks are wary, that's at least a reason to root for their success.

For those who haven't read the white paper, and may wonder what the answer was to your concern about damage to the engine from too lean a mixture, here is the explanation. I agree, it's pretty amazing:

"Speed Adjusting Failsafe Electronics (S.A.F.E.) is also incorporated to ensure that if an engine life-threatening fault should develop (like overheating or no oil pressure), the rpm is reduced to 1200 maximum, an audible alarm is sounded and a warning light is displayed on the dash. At this speed the engine requires almost no cooling or lubrication system functions. Tests have shown an engine can be run all day at 1200 rpm with only the oil inside the crankcase when it was started. New shutdown modes are also incorporated. If the engine cooling system or EMM temperatures continue to rise, even after activating S.A.F.E, the EMM will shut down the engine before permanent damage is done. Once temperatures have reduced the engine can be restarted."

As for the question about white lightning, those cheesehead engineers in Wisconsin just scratched their heads. Only a southern boy would know about that, they figure.

Chuck

[Sea Wolf]

Chuck-

After reading and digesting the entire tech white paper, I'm impressed.

Love to see the new innovations and willingness to get off the dime and make changes in old designs and existing problems. The capital expenses in all these changes must be considerable. Will even take the service techs some time to get comfortable with the new technology.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Ought to be required reading for all C-Dory owners and especially those in the market for new powerplants.

After a year or so when all of this new information has had a chance to sink in to everyone's mindset and the new E-Tech's have had a chance to prove themselves in the real world, we ought to retake the engine preference survey and see how the numbers have progressed.

We'll be awaiting further information and feedback from new owners.

Welcome to the 21st Century!

Thanks, again, Joe.

[416rigby]

One thing I am very curious about is the typical 2 stroke smoke and smell...are they gone? My wife has shown lots of interest in this engine since we're currently running a 2 stroke Johnson on our boat.

Rick

[Larry H]

Chuck B,

Thanks for posting that link. That is the most complete tech info I have seen on the E-TEC.

[gljjr]

[Sawdust]

Hey guys 'n' Gals,

The only way you can tell it is a 2-stroke is to go back and look. Absolutely NO smell or oil smoke. This rascal is so danged clean Mrs. Dusty would ride in the boat. And she knows all about 2-strokes. And YES - I ask permission for most everything - y'ain't alone in this world, Charlie m'lad.

Duster

[westward]

Would anyone care to share how much the E-Tec 90 costs rigged on a CD22, including steering cables, controls, etc? I'm budgeting for this engine in the future. Thanks for all the great info! Mike on Westward

[416rigby]

I forgot to ask about the noise. Is the E-Tech as loud as a "normal" 2 stroke? I know there are differences in noise level between manufacturers 2 strokes because our 90hp Johnson is way louder than the big 250hp Yamaha Saltwater Series V-6 we had on our old boat...that big beast was extremely quiet, but our Johnson is quite loud.

Rick

[Jacques]

Took my new etec 75 (2005 model year) for a first spin...it went to SAFE mode at 1200 due to no oil !!! oil reservoir was 100% full

Dealer said he had done a trial run and all was oK before delivery

trouble found: says dealer...... bad software version (2004 load) into 2005 model year CPU (EMM) caused the oil sensing to be wacky so the EMM computer went to SAFE mode after 5 minutes out !!!

fix: says dealer ... releoaded proper version of software in E"M"M" computer .....engine ran ok on my 2nd run on the lake...idles rough a bit at 750 rpm but that apparently this will settle after 3 hours run time ...says dealer


NOW.... I read I MUST HAVE a special gauge or tach gauge e/w
L.E.D. display to monitor the EMM computer or else warranty is void..... dealer did not know this although it is written in the user manual !!! This was confirmed by BRP help line

Why is Bombardier nickel and diming us ($230 +taxes) for a monitor essential to warranty coverage

NOW.... dealer says he needs to change all the oil and my spare gallon because of a problem with xd100 oil !!!! now it is called XD100 Extreme
for below 32 farenheight use !!!

this is not what I expected....after reading and "buying"... into all the positive chats on Internet on ETECs !!!! I was an old merc guy from way way way back (17----------55)

After 3 weeks dealer has NOT yet registered engine to my name !!!! at BRP central computer database

[Sawdust]

Seems like you may have dealer problems, not E-Tec. My E-Tec has been 100% out of the box and I really like it.

I'll check with EQ on the upgrades -- but there are lots of E-Tec 90s out up here, and I've never heard of a problem. And I'd be the FIRST to hear

Dusty

[Jacques]

Dusty, thanks for that morale booster .. Yep I think my dealer is being a bit naive or novice.

My 75 is a dead ringer with the 90 except for lower HP rating.

It did run good after the fix... so it is looking up. I am just upset at my
pre-retirement gift to the wife and myself not running like a top..... and having to haul the thing back 65 miles !! and it could have been prevent with good dealer prep. I think he is learniing along with me.

Still can't get a straight answer from him as to why my engine resgistration still is not done for 3 past weeks . Called BRP yesterday and engine still registered to marina shop instead of me. Folks at BRP have been nice and offered to register me if I fax sales contract....but I am pushing the issue with and via the dealer. Time for him to be a bit more professionnal with me for my 20k$


my opinion anyway

I am still a bit annoyed at BRP for that "void warranty blackmail" issue if I do not install the LED dispaly unit. Why can't they price it in with the engine. Were are not dealing with razor blades here ....I expect to buy razor blades with a gilette razor. I did not like being blackmailed (forced into) buying the unit or else no warranty, paid for by not taking the $4 / hp rebate by the way !!!!

Anyway I do like to run a tach vs speedometers so I am buying the thing with the 4 LEDs. BRP could at least sell the things at cost seeing they are mandatory for the paid ($300) extra 4 year year warranty to be maintained