 1994 Evinrude Ocean Pro V-4 115 Manufacturing flaw?
I've had an intermittant combustion chamber water intrusion situation since day one of owning this motor, manifesting itself as a classic "water fouled" condition of the plug electrode on the #4 cyl. I do have an inline fuel/water separator system.
I questioned the dealership with regard who scoped and pressure tested the cyl. way back in 1995 and ensuing years and they reported everything was "perfect" and no action recommended. The motor ran strong for many, many years but during routine plug change outs sometimes the #4 plug would be horribly fouled, other times it looked on par with the others. Obviously when fouled, that plug's cylinder compromised engine performance. New set of plugs and all would be well. No rhyme or reason to it. Everytime I would bring up the situation to the dealership, they put me off. I thought that odd as I had an extended warranty. Why not tear it down and investigate?
Cut to now, fourteen years later, the engine running poorly in the lower power band. The compression of the suspect cylinder is 75# (the other three are 125#) scored cylinder, ring damage et al. The NEW tech of an independant shop has reported that the water intrusion was due to a casting flaw of that era powerhead that has come to his attention with regard to the 1994-1996 and perhaps later V-4 and V-6 power heads before Bombardier bought out OMC.
The new tech states that a "fix" during the course of a rebuild at certain machine shops has been developed to rectify the design/engineering flaw.
So, true to your knowledge? Is this sitution known?
I'm in the classic " between a rock and the hard place" here. The motor is hung on my prized and prided Whaler Montauk 17. I would never part with that boat, but a new ETEC-90 would set me back about 9K. I don't want to go there as I've been looking to add a larger CCWA to the fleet.
If the flaw can be addressed and the motor rebuilt to get another ten seasons out of it for a few grand I would take that course. Right now the motor is obviously not in saleable condition. I think the book on that motor about $1300 in good condition. As is? A good looking mail box?
What really chaps me is; to this possible revelation of a pre-existing point of manufacture condition I'm sure the original dealership was aware of the situation. It would explain a lot. Even torn down, there was nothing really to fix, perhaps why they dragged their feet. Hmmmmmm.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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