ETEC Cold Water Performance

If I understand the way the cooling system works when the motor is first started and when cold, either the thermostat or pressure relief valve will let some water into the block. The thermostat almost has to be on the outlet so I would assume it would be what ultimately controls the low temperature operation. As the engine warms up the thermostat would open to allow more water through. The pressure relief serves two functions. If temperature rises rapidly and the thermostat doesn't open resulting in a buildup of pressure, the pressure relief valve would let more water through the block. In addition at high speed through the water the increasing pressure could also open the pressure relief valve allowing more water into the block. The pressure relief is like a radiator cap releasing under too much pressure, except in this case it is more fail safe in its operation as it introduces more cooling water into the motor where as the radiator cap just let's you know things got too hot.

Makes sense that one or the other is not doing its job. At $7.50 per plug and $30 per gallon for oil, the fix is priceless so to speak.

Rabidfish, your tips on indexing were right on. I went three for three on Saturday. I just had to swap one from the 2 slot the 3 slot and they all got within 90 degrees.
 
If I were to buy a new 2006 Etec, would I benefit from all these troubled experiences. In other words, does Evinrude constantly improve year over year?
 
All these troubled experiences are one - as I see it. I've not heard of another E-Tec 90 with the same problem, and both of mine run great in 40 +/- water. A faulty pressure relief valve could be the culprit. Had the same problem in my Audi - very costly, and much dealer diagnostic time -- just improperly seated, but took a loooooonnnggg time to fix.

Tom, sure hope this one goes away for you!!!!

Dusty
 
chromer,

When I was an Evinrude mechanic, Evinrude did constantly fix or improve problem areas. Usually it was a service bulletin notice, with advise on repair or replacement of parts with newly designed ones.

Problems not needing immediate fixes were redesigned for the next model year.

Evinrude's motor design was an evolution with some all new designs each year and many carry over models with improvements.
 
I have been following this problem from the beginning,here and other websites, as I am going through some of the same issues. But I have noticed it is only with early models, 2004-2005. There is also TWO problems here and tpbrady has them both. The main problem and most common is fixed with a software upgrade. The other problem that tpbrady has seems just like a problem that the E-Tec 225's have with a bad batch of pressure valves. There is a service bulletin on this also. Since he has a 90hp my guess is same problem maybe different reason, ie. bad install.

With my E-Tec I got the no oil alarm on cold mornings and I fouled 3 sets of plugs every 100 hrs. but my oil consumtion was normal. Software upgrade fixed mine.

Just thought I would throw in my 1 cent opinion in case it might help.

C-Fisher
 
C-Fisher

Your reply is worth a lot more than the 1c! Checked with EQ this a.m. and no service bulletins on the E-Tec 90.

Sure wasn't aware of the bad px relief valves on the big guys - but makes sense. I still have the bad valve from my 4 wheel toy and probably should mount it in diamonds! Difficult to spot the defect without a magnifier, but played havoc with the engine.

Hope that changing the valve will solve Tom's problem. IMO something his local dealer should have jumped on, but I'm not his local dealer!!! I did have some plug problems early on but they were soon solved.

30 bucks a gal. sounds expensive, but because I'm in the water all the time -- can't really change the oil and filter on my Honda 90 for much less and the E-Tec is great in that regard.

Dusty
 
Another issue I'd like to see get straightened out. The factory guy says that oil consumption is NOT controlled by temperature. Hmmmmmmm. If not, what does? Not my problem now but sure could be. Dang it, wish I was smarter - these new gadgets really tick (good word, Bill?) me off.

Duster
 
Hey Dusty, The service bulletins I got from my certified E-Tec dealer here in Everett at Bayside Marine, his name is Pete. The 90's was just about the software update.The pressure valve was only issued on the 225's. The oil consumption was explained to me as, the motor goes into an over oil mode when the no oil light comes on as it tries to make up for possible bad flow from thickening cold oil. I believe the software update sets the alarm values at a more reasonable setting. I got a lot more info on this problem on iboats.com in the Evinrude forums. There are a lot more people there with E-Tec's with a small fraction with these problems. As I said most all seem to be those that got the first ones made, like me.
 
Thanks a whole lot. BUT, Tom's oil light is out and he still gets twice as much oil. Oh my!!! Gotta look into this.

I missed the iboat thingie - usually check that and a couple of others, but most of the problems - and very few of those - seem to be with the BIG engines.

Tks again,

Dusty
 
These E-TECS sound great but there may be too many comptuers involved :cry and it may have been made too complicated than necessary. Sorry Dusty! :smileo

The old simple carbureated engines work just fine :lol:

Charlie
 
Just to keep the group updated...

I sent Tom a "baseline" snapshot of a 90 Etec running at cruise and at WOT. I am sure he'll compare my readings to his and post back.

Keep in mind that air temp, barometric pressure, RPMs, and even the prop may make his readings slightly different than mine. Only a dramatic difference in findings would be indicative of a problem.

I tried to post pictures of these forms but it didn't work. I'll try again later as it seems there may be an issue with the site.

Craig
 
Craig,

Just came back from an all-morning shrimp run with my E-Tec 90 -- water temp. in the low 40s - absolute jewel. Great MPG, smooth, all the good stuff. 3.0 gph at 3000 rpm sure gives a good cruise!! There are many of the E-Tecs around here and we exchange info whenever we meet -- the only complaint has been caused by sparkplug orientation.

Dusty
 
Dusty,

Glad to hear yours is running well! I keep hoping I'll get a chance to do a little crabbin' with some of Ya'll soon! Pullin' pots in bad weather actually sounds like more fun than work! ( 'round here, we call guys like me "Hayseed" ) In the meantime, Keep them crab pics comin' !

My experience is much the same, pretty much all good news. I have had one with a "sticking" throttle, but turned out to be a minor issue that we correct before the boats ever leave here. I simply have had no other "issues".

I will say, I don't like the 40, 50, 60 hp as well as I like the 75/90. I think the Mercury 4 stroke 40 - 60hp is smoother at low speeds and works better on the 16 Angler/Cruiser. For 75hp plus, I prefer the Etec.

I like the 90 so well on the 19 Angler, I may keep the boat for myself... ( That is... if Cindy will let me! ) I consider the 19 Angler to be the "16 Angler" for FAT BOYS! :shock:

Craig
 
I finally received my new Cdory the first week of May 2006. It is equipped with twin 50's. They seem to run fine so far. I have had the boat at Whittier for over two weeks and I didnt venture out to far, and stayed in Passage Canal dropping and retrieving shrimp pots.
It included idle time but ran the motors for 12.5 hrs each and filled up the tanks. It took 20 gallons total, so running 25 hours total (both motors)
using less than a gallon a hour seems very good.
With both motors at 5400 rpm I am able to run around 24 knots in calm seas. The boat seems to handle best between 18 and 20 knots. With
one motor down I am able to run 14 knots properly trimmed. The motors
did smoke a little the first few hours but assume that was break in computer controlled. They say "no Break in", but the rep told me the reason for that is that it is done automatically.
I don't care what they say, the Etech motors are not as quiet as my Yamaha
50/35 on my fishrite river boat. They are not as loud as the older 2 strokes, but they are still loud in comparison as far as I am concerned.

I sure do enjoy the twins for docking control. Someone lost a 1/2 inch
rope and one of the engines picked it up and stopped the motor immediately. The second motor made me very happy in that instance.
I was able to move into calm water and cut the rope off the prop. It fired right up and ran perfectly.

Just my two cents worth. I almost passed on the Etech from posts here, but I think I will be happy with them.

With Regards

Mike Anchorage AK
 
I can now report that BRP fixed my motor last Wednesday by replacing a leaking pressure relief valve and gasket. Basically for the last year I was running cold water through the block. The BRP field technician explained that up until 1800 RPM cooling is controlled by the thermostat. No water should be flowing through the pressure valve. Above that rpm, the pressure valve starts releasing water into the cooling jacket as the pressure builds until it is fully open.

Over the last 5 days the motor was running as designed, with no plug fouling at low speed, smooth idling even though cold (water temp about 36) and air temps in the morning in the high 30's. Fuel economy was much improved while going heavy (3 people, 2 kayaks, full fuel, water, beer, food, inflatable, and just about everything else. On Navman fuel economy was 3.5 mpg. On return trip with only 2 people, 2 kayaks, one inflatable and less of everything else was 3.8 mpg. All weekend I burned 25 gallons and covered nearly 90 miles.
 
Tom-

Glad you / they finally folund and corrected the problem!

Sounds like a simple malfunction and fix compared to the various possibilities you folks were going through to find it.

Enjoy your summer!

Joe.
 
Glad to hear the engine is back to normal...

I hope now you get a chance to regain confidence in it and that your service guys have learned something they won't repeat again...

Good Luck!

Craig
 
Tom,

Great news! I'm sure you are extremely glad to have that behind you! Hats off to you and the BRP guys for finally figuring out the problem.
 
tpbrady said:
I can now report that BRP fixed my motor last Wednesday by replacing a leaking pressure relief valve and gasket. Basically for the last year I was running cold water through the block.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear that the motor is running like it should and that the problem was what we discussed back in Feb. of this year. Most engine complaints are very simple fixes that are overlooked or ignored by others.
 
Thanks for everyone's help and comments. The motor ran has run beautifully since the fix. Idle is smooth, starts was a slight turn of the key. We just hung twin 200 ETEC's on a 28 foot Jetcraft. Didn't see the result of the first cruise, but should have a report next week.
 
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