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E-TEC Outboards
- Thread starter dredger
- Start date
starcrafttom
Active member
I would want one but have no experince with them. I have heard great things from freinds in my fishing club that have them and some folks here. There have been others here that have had problems with them, something to do with cold water temps. a quick search of the site will provide you with a world of info. I like the idea of less weight and more power, smaller profile, no oil changes and cleaner then most 4 strokes. If honda had not had a great finace plan I would have gotten the E-tec instead. Now I would like to have the new fit honda.
tom&shan
New member
My 19 Angler has the E-Tec 90. We have around 140 hours on the engine, we got the boat in March. There have been some issues reported with cold water. As far as our engine, for the most part it runs very well, however, we have had some problems.
At 100 hours, while crossing Rosario Straite, it started running rough, the RPM racing from 2000 to 5000 without touching the trottle. Took it in to Granite Boatworks (who I highly recommend), and they ended up replacing the sparkplugs - they were carboned up. Computer analysis showed that 21% of the time the engine temperature was only reaching 89 degrees - it supposed to be something like 135 degrees.
I think the problem was how I was using the engine, I now make sure the engine is warmed up when I first go out by running it for a while wide open. I also idle along a lot, so now after about an hour of idleing, I run full throttle for a bit. Since I dont have a kicker, I use the main engine for trolling - now I just make sure I dont start trolling until after I have warmed the engine up. Also - Granite Boatworks recommended a additive for the gas that is supposed to minimize carbon buildup.
Its a great engine for fuel economy.
Tom
At 100 hours, while crossing Rosario Straite, it started running rough, the RPM racing from 2000 to 5000 without touching the trottle. Took it in to Granite Boatworks (who I highly recommend), and they ended up replacing the sparkplugs - they were carboned up. Computer analysis showed that 21% of the time the engine temperature was only reaching 89 degrees - it supposed to be something like 135 degrees.
I think the problem was how I was using the engine, I now make sure the engine is warmed up when I first go out by running it for a while wide open. I also idle along a lot, so now after about an hour of idleing, I run full throttle for a bit. Since I dont have a kicker, I use the main engine for trolling - now I just make sure I dont start trolling until after I have warmed the engine up. Also - Granite Boatworks recommended a additive for the gas that is supposed to minimize carbon buildup.
Its a great engine for fuel economy.
Tom
I have the ETEC-90. Had two problems. One was a throttle return mechanical isssue that showed up after 150 hours. It was minor. The other thing i've learned is that idling or trolling at low RPM can foul the plugs. I change plugs more often than I thought, like once or twice a year.
Otherwise I like it.
Otherwise I like it.
chromer":1pt30miw said:The other thing i've learned is that idling or trolling at low RPM can foul the plugs.
With no experience or opinion on the E-TEC, I have had a close relationship with three different manufacturers of 4 strokes and am extremely pleased with them as I can idle with them for hours with no "loading up" and have had no "running" problems with any of them.
50 HP Honda on 16' C-Dory Cruiser
Twin 50 HP Johnsons (aka Suzuki) on 22' C-Dory Cruiser
225 HP Yamaha on 27' Aluminum Chambered Boat (ABC) which is our Fire/Rescue boat. (We've idled for hours with it while "standing by/patrolling" during recreational events/competitions). When the need arises to go to full throttle after idling for an extended period of time, these 4 strokes do so without hesitation.
I switched from a 90 ETEC to a 90 Honda VTEC this year due to:
a. Low operating temperatures (average over the last year was 86 degrees or so)
b. High oil consumption (20-22 hours per tank)
c. Fouling plugs (after any session of trolling).
The low operating temperature was due to the bypass cooling being open most of the time and this was considered normal by BRP. The high oil consumption was considered to be normal for my operating profile according to BRP. My assessment was if the first two conditions were within normal operating parameters and together contributed to the third condition, I didn't want to live with that.
Tom
a. Low operating temperatures (average over the last year was 86 degrees or so)
b. High oil consumption (20-22 hours per tank)
c. Fouling plugs (after any session of trolling).
The low operating temperature was due to the bypass cooling being open most of the time and this was considered normal by BRP. The high oil consumption was considered to be normal for my operating profile according to BRP. My assessment was if the first two conditions were within normal operating parameters and together contributed to the third condition, I didn't want to live with that.
Tom