3 Year E-Tec Service Report

C

Comfortably Numb

New member
I just picked up the Comfortably Numb from the local authorized Evinrude dealer (about 40 miles away for me...Cope Marine in O'Fallon, Illinois) after its first 3 year E-Tec service. Did a variety of things, including swapping out the plugs, fuel filter, water pump, inspected a ton of stuff, removed the prop/ cleaned everything up and serviced the shaft, fittings, etc., serviced the lower unit, and went through the whole schabang per the E-Tec service guide.

Parts were $110.76 and labor was $218.50. With $8.69 of tax, the total tab was $337.95. NOTE: This was the first time my C-Dory has seen any dealer during its first three seasons.

So far, the only complaint or concern I have had with the E-Tec is a periodic fume smell (depends, I suppose, on which way the wind is blowing)...this has been discussed before here. For whatever reason, this has not been a big problem for me.

Anyway, I was attracted to the E-Tec for its promise of performance and low maintenance requirements and costs. So far, Evinrude has kept its promise from my perspective. DISCLAIMER: I do not work for Evinrude or Bombardier, or the dealer, etc....just a C-Brat sharing some data.

Merry Christmas, everyone!
 
Thanks, Brent. The engine was originally programmed for, and I have exclusively used, the XD-100 oil.

For whatever it's worth, I also use SeaFoam in every load of fuel, not just when putting her up for the winter.
 
My 2006 e-tec 90 passed the 3 year with flying colors too. 2 months later, the computer blew and I was out $2000 and without c-dory for 4 weeks.
 
Mark, thanks for the report. While I am alittle wary of the E tec I really hope they succeed. I am watching the track record and your report is helpful. I am a long time Honda fan but when it comes time to repower I would look hard at the E tec if it was well proven. I really like the lighter weight and the same features you mention. Tom P.S. By the way, what are your hours?
 
Why is e-tec only doing lower unit oil change every 3 yrs instead of 1yr or 100hrs like the rest of mfg. I wonder if we could go longer on lower unit oil changes ?? I do mine every 100hrs all filters oil and water sep.and look at zincs inside and outside of eng.

I wonder if its like the 3000 mile oil change for cars that most of us used to do I now have a car 2010 camry that requires 10,000 miles between oil changes if you use their 0-20 wt synthetic oil .I have been using synthetic oil for the last 20 yrs or so If it was good enough for United airlines Jet engines i guess its good enough for my little 4and 8 cyl cars
 
jennykatz":3d5cpstx said:
Why is e-tec only doing lower unit oil change every 3 yrs instead of 1yr or 100hrs like the rest of mfg. I wonder if we could go longer on lower unit oil changes ?? I do mine every 100hrs all filters oil and water sep.and look at zincs inside and outside of eng.

I wonder if its like the 3000 mile oil change for cars that most of us used to do I now have a car 2010 camry that requires 10,000 miles between oil changes if you use their 0-20 wt synthetic oil .I have been using synthetic oil for the last 20 yrs or so If it was good enough for United airlines Jet engines i guess its good enough for my little 4and 8 cyl cars
Click to expand...

Jim-

I imagine that the 3 years is stretched out to coincide with the "no service till 300 hours" for the initial service on the E-tech motors, which is one of their selling points.

The lube fluid in the lower end can certainly go 300 hours without need for replacing, providing that there is no water intrusion, but the common practice of doing it every 100 hours provides a more reasonable period to force one to drain it and look for water, since wrapped up fishing line can ruin the rear seal so easily and not be visually detected.

Much the same can be said about the water pump replacement period. Operated in clear, fresh water, a pump impeller can go several hundred hours and come out looking like new, but add some sand, gravel, or murky water, and/or operate the pump dry a time or two, and you'd better be opening the lower end up and checking it out every 100 hours or less, and once it's open, you might as well replace it, etc., etc.,...........!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
My dealer told me that Evinrude had come to the conclusion that most lower unit damage has been caused by owners doing their lower unit oil improperly. As part of the winter storage, you are supposed to remove the prop and check for fishing line that may cause seal damage. I have gone to the same maintenance schedule for my yamaha kicker. Remember to replace your oil plugs when you change the oil. I've had 2 ETECs, a 90 HP on a center console I owned and the 50 HP on my 16 Angler. Only had 1 issue with the 90. There was a software issue that kept causing the oil light to come on. The 50 had a cracked oil tank last summer. Not too bad. That being said, I ran Yamahas all the way back to 1989 with zero problems and an 8 HP kicker on the current boat with more than 2000 hours and no problems. My next re-power will be Yamaha. Happy New Year!!
 
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