FICHT - The Hull Truth

TROPICALGHANA · 04-08-2008, 06:27 AM

Dear friend,

I could see in your last posts that you are a professional outboard dealer. I wanted to describe you the problem I am facing with my Ficht 175fpxeen 1999 Engine.

I bought it used with only 281 Hours in it.

I shipped it from the USA to Africa and took around four months before it arrived to me. First two days it run perfect, but the 3rd one engine started shaking and check engine alarm came out.

1) We realized the water separator from the fuel system was roted and there was water in the system. We fixed it and sealed it properly.

2) Later the engine could not start properly, so the mechanic decided to change the plugs and service the injectors.

3) Engine started but not for long, after 20 seconds it stopped. Engine continue shaking. We plugged the sowftware and gave us one hard error: throttle sensor and 6 intermitent ignition coils.

We got new sensor and engine started without a problem. However the intermitent ignition coil error still there.

4) We have changed the coils and still have the same problem. It seems the electrical spark coming to the ignition is half of the required after you use the tester on it.

The intermitent errors for the 6 ignition coils become also hard ones some times.

Could you advise me how to proceed?

Thanks

A1 Outboard · 04-08-2008, 07:00 AM

IF the coil error codes were numbers like 81, 82, 83 etc. then the motor probably has anintermittently bad ECU or computer box on it. If that is the case, an Evinrude dealer can exchange it for a factory rebuilt unit or a new one, depending how much you want to spend. The ECU is water cooled so remove the hoses and look through the hole to make sure it is not clogged up with sand or salt. Blow carefully through the hoses to make sure the rest of the plumbing is not clogged up.

There is a company that repairs them for less money and they do a good job. www.dfitechnologies.com

TROPICALGHANA · 04-08-2008, 08:42 AM

Thanks a lot for the information.

I will check the hoses of the ECU as you mention. Also I will like to be in touch with DFI but unfortunely theur webpage is not going on on my PC. Is the adress correct?

Thanks

A1 Outboard · 04-08-2008, 12:41 PM

Their website crashed last week

TROPICALGHANA · 04-10-2008, 02:27 PM

Have you heard if the ECU's for my 1999 175 are not be produced any more by Bombardier? I have contacted Crowley Marine and I understood that from them. First that they can not sell to a final consumer, but also that they are no longer available.

The ECU's was the reason why some Ficht engines exploded some time ago?

A1 Outboard · 04-10-2008, 03:00 PM

As far as I know, BRP is still making ECU's and rebuilding them. Sometimes there is a wait for rebuilt ones until they get enough returns then start up a production line.

The phone number for DFI Technologies is 866-298-1510, their website is still down

TROPICALGHANA · 04-10-2008, 03:21 PM

Somebody online has come to me offering me the ECU for his 175 HP 1999 model. According to him the engine blew up and since then has not touch the engine. According to him he could offer me his ECU + injectors + Pump, coils etc... for 350 $, and also he is willing to give to me, try it and if it works pay him afterwards. I think is good deal, but my question is if the ECU could be the reason of the problem of his engine. Lol...

Marco

A1 Outboard · 04-10-2008, 09:37 PM

His engine blew up, that means the injectors may be no good. The ECU cannot be changed by itself because it is calibrated for each injector. The software might be different and there were different versions of the 1999 motors, that is why parts sometimes need to have the model number to know which ones to order. Stay away fromthose used parts.The ECU won't blow up a motor, but an injector can.

TROPICALGHANA · 05-04-2008, 01:04 PM

dear friend,

the problem was the ECU as you well said. Problem fixed. Thnaks a lot....

Marco