Repower due to fumes??

D

danhebl

New member
We have a 1994 angler that is 22 feet long. We re-powered it about 10 years ago with an E tech 90 HO and 9.9 Suzuki kicker. The problem is that most of our trips are cruising along the shore of Lake superior with a group of people sitting in the back and many times the fumes are overwhelming. So the questions are as follows.

1. When you were sitting near the engine compartment will a four stroke make a big difference in regards to fumes?

2. Is there anything anybody has done to reduce fumes on their E tech? (we use the Evinrude 100 oil)

3. Does the sun shade over the back area create a compartment that collects fumes?

I appreciate advice. I have read many of the posts on here with a variety of opinions on fumes. I think a big difference for us is that many of the people on board are not sitting in the cockpit, so are very close to the engines.


Thanks,

Dan



https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bgnk6iTeK7BpfkuCA
 
I think this is a pretty common problem; I have experienced it on several boats of different types, power, and sizes including my 22. It is of course worse with a two stroke.

In my experience, at certain speeds under certain conditions you tend to get a recirculation effect behind the pilothouse (or windshield or bimini): As in the bed of a pickup truck at speed, or a station wagon with the back hatch open.

The problem can be especially bad if you are moving so slowly that the exhaust is coming out of the upper outlet and not underwater from the prop.

The solution is usually just to go a bit faster, or open a forward hatch to get some air moving through.

Two strokes smell, but if you are experiencing "overwhelming" fumes at all speeds and in all conditions, you may have a more serious problem worth investigating with an E-Tec expert.
 
I agree with trying the kicker--especially if you are going at slow displacement speed. That is a lot of weight aft. The Bimini will increase the "station wagon effect". The 2 strokes do have a "richer" exhaust. The 4 strokes--and that is mostly what I have run over the last 20 years, have minimal exhaust.

Have you had the the Evinrude tuned up? If there are a lot of fumes that seems unusual. My only experience with a newer Evinrude was Fitch technology, and there was not all that much of an exhaust issue.
 
You had mentioned that you are using the XD-100 oil. Is the engine set to run the XD-100 oil or is it set to the TCW-3 setting?

While I typically recommend leaving it set to TCW-3 (XD-50) even when running the XD-100 oil, in this case I would say have a dealer change it.

If you change it, the engine will inject less oil and it will burn cleaner and have less fumes.

While I don't mind the smell of an ETec, they do have some exhaust smell for sure.

I will say that even the best 4 Strokes also have some fumes....
 
Thank you very much for the responses!

The dealer we bought the motor from went out of business so we have to find a new place for maintenance.

A friend with an E tech feels that he cut his symptoms down by 70% using Amsoil HP marine oil. We are going to try switching to that and see if it makes a difference.

We will also run the kicker some and see what the fume situation is with that but it’s only a 9.9 which is underpowered obviously for a tour with six people on board.

We have really loved the ease of winter fogging with the Etec and its reliability but if we can’t get the fumes down we’ll have to try a Four stroke.

I know this is a question with many many answers but can someone point us to a thread or two discussing best HP options for repowering if we go that route?
 
Without knowing for sure if the engine is set to run the lower oil ratio that the XD-100 allows, I would not jump to thinking it is time for a repower.

While the ETec is still giving you good service, I would do what you can to keep it. If you don't have any other issues with running or performance, I would guess there is nothing wrong mechanically.

That all said the Etec 90 HO (V4...the same as a 115) is not the smoothest and quietest Etec ever built and certainly a new modern 4 Stroke does improve on those traits and the smell issue. This particular 90 is also not the lightest motor out there at 390 lbs.

If you chose to go to a 4 stroke I would look at 90 and 115 HP options.

I am biased but would strongly recommend the Mercury in this HP class. They are very good performing motors with a very proven track record with easier maintenance and exceptional weight in this class. In the Mercury the 90 and 115 are the same mechanically and therefore the weight is the same at 360 lbs. They are also offered in a large gearcase version (Command Thrust) that can be nice for some applications.
 
What boat speed, and RPM are you running the engine at when "touring"? The 9.9 should certainly push the C Dory 22 at a hull speed of about 6 mph easily. If it does not--then you need to evaluate the prop. This is where the larger gear case-Command type of increased thrust pays off. A 15 hp would not push the boat any faster than marginally.

It is entirely possible that for a mid to low speed range, that the motor is running too rich? How are the spark plugs looking? I have no experience with the newer 2 stroke Evinrudes, My experience with the smaller 2 stroke Evinrude goes back to about 1950, actually I had a lot of experience with two Evinrudes of about 1936 vintage. Both were about 5hp. One was on my father's 26' fin keel, slight V forward, with hard chine and about the same amount of deadrise aft as a C Dory 22 has. This old motor would push that boat easily at 5 to be 6 knots.

The other motor I found in the back of the boat repair shack at Camp Fox Catalina Island, where I was working--and one of my jobs was maintaining the fleet of wooden boats. I got that old outboard running, and it played a major role in getting a camper who had fallen over 100 feet onto rocks to the medical facilities in Avalon about 5 miles away in mostly open ocean. My dad tried a 9.9 hp Evinrude and it would not push the boat any faster. You would be surprised at how little HP it takes to push a C Now Dory to hull speed. Now if you want to go 8 to 9 knots, that is a different story, and not as easily driven.
 
Wow, those are some intense experiences.

I’m thinking we like to cruise around 10-12kts.

We have never loved the high pitched whine and vibration the 9.9 Suzuki gives off. Always wondered if changing the current 4 blade prop would change that?

The etec is due for a tuneup and likely new plugs so that should be done as well before we make any rash changes.

Boating season is just about done here on Lake Superior so it might be a winter project.

Appreciate the thoughts and advice!
 
I owned a 2006 90hp Etec and loved it. It was on the back of an 18 ft Olympic boat and I had no issues with exhaust fumes. I had previously owned 90 2 stroke Evinrude the was a little on the rich side so when I got the Etec I was amazed at how clean it burned and how little oil it used. I believe I used TCW-3 in it. I was worried that it wasn't using any oil and didn't want to damage the engine so I took it in to the shop to have a certified tech look at it. As I recall they told me to use the XD-100 in the future. Well that was a mistake I should have just run it as it was. From then on it was sucking down that XD-100 like a drunken sailor. I feel that the shop changed it on me and it wasn't in my favor at all.
My only objection to the motor was that at idle it was not a smooth running motor at all, a lot of vibration all the time. But it was a quick motor out of the hole and ran great all the time. So, If it were me I'd try to find the right combination of oil to use with the Etec if its running good. If not Then the 4 stroke motors out there are pretty nice these days. Good luck.
 
I’m thinking we like to cruise around 10-12kts.
Click to expand...

10-12 knots = about 11.5 to 13.8 mph. This is on a plane--usually, but with a lot of cockpit weight--it may still be on the upward curve of the transition to a plane. Not the most efficient speed fuel consumption wise and may be borderline lugging the engine.

We would have to see a photo of the boat or the wake, in that configuration at speed. Also knowing the RPM would be helpful. Has the boat come up "on step" with bow wave breaking midships or aft? --how much trim tab do you use?
 
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