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Hey welcome to THT, PLEASE try using the "Search" feature on this site listed above on your screen for your question. There are over 500 pages of info on your subject: "E-Tec motors".
If not your going to hear a broken record, over and over again.....which we all here have heard way to much of.
To answer your question; All newer modern outboard engines of today are well made, regardless of name on the cowl.....we all know that, now you do too....got it.
I have a couple 250's. They're great. I've been trolling a lot lately and am amazed at the small amount of fuel they use trolling all day. If I had the choice again I'd purchase these motors. I have never owned a large 4 stroke but I'm sure I'd like them if I had gone that way instead. My local dealer is cool as hell too.
Not to beat this topic to death again (do a search) but Big R and Potomac have got it right. Pretty much all modern outboards are good, so it usually comes down price and if your dealer is cool as hell!
__________________ 26' Intrepid CC
Twin 200 Yamahas
Actually the only thing that bothers me is the service interval. You can go three years on any brand of new outboard.......will it do it? Yes. Is it good for it? No. Will it make it out of warranty before puking? Yep. You can also go 15k miles on oil changes in your car...you won't see a problem for many miles but it will shorten it's life.
Actually the only thing that bothers me is the service interval. You can go three years on any brand of new outboard.......will it do it? Yes. Is it good for it? No. Will it make it out of warranty before puking? Yep. You can also go 15k miles on oil changes in your car...you won't see a problem for many miles but it will shorten it's life.
Hit the nail on the head!
C'Mon is $15 too much $$$ to change the Lu oil once or even twice a season?
Its 3 years or 300 hours, whichever comes first. I put 300 hours a year on my E-Tecs so I do the service every year. However I don't alwasy put 300 hours on the lower unit oil...but I have and it comes out looking very good for 300 hours.
Yes....any engine can go 3 years or 300 hours on the same lower unit oil and water pump. But the others won't warranty a failure if you do.
That said........twin 2005 E-Tec 250s with over 1400 hours......no problems, no complaint other than the shitty plastic cowl latches and decals that fade in the sun very quick. I have replaced all my cowl latches and decals.
I run a carb Evinrude, so I don't have a dog in this fight, but is it just my imagination or do most of the complaints come from 70 and 90 hp owners? Maybe it's just that is the range of motor I will be looking at if I repower?
I have talked to a couple of 70 hp owners that were unhappy with their motors Then again talked to a couple of 90 hp owners that liked their motors? Seems like most guys like the 200hp and up motors?
I have 2 of them and they are great motors.My zuki is a little quieter than the two e-tecs but they are still quiet. I just wonder if the zuki is on sometimes it is so quiet.
__________________ 2011 18.9 Egret C/K Flats
The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory
Twin 250's.....replaced four strokes with them....very happy....third year now.
As mentioned, pretty much all engines and manufacturer's are good now....BRP pissed off alot of 4 stroke guys with their dvd.....and because of the reputation of the ficht and the optibomb (early versions of both direct injection 2 strokes) they're easy to pick on....then the dvd came out....and it started a type of product war, which in my opinion was really stupid, everyone has their preferences....I prefer DI 2 strokes, but would gladly run a pair of zukes or verados on the right boat.....just make sure whatever you buy used that you have them checked out....If new, no matter what brand, make sure the dealer is reputable and good luck with it......
Actually the only thing that bothers me is the service interval. You can go three years on any brand of new outboard.......will it do it? Yes. Is it good for it? No. Will it make it out of warranty before puking? Yep. You can also go 15k miles on oil changes in your car...you won't see a problem for many miles but it will shorten it's life.
Since you are an expert on gearcase durability, I'd like to know the technical reasons why letting the gearcase oil go 300 hours or 3 years will cause it to have a shorter life. What do you know about the gearcase used on the Evinrude E-TECs or the gear oil that the factory specifies for them? I have three of these gearcases on non-ETECs with the factory specified oil in them that Evinrude says is good for 300 hours or 3 years. So please enlighten me and others as to why Evinrude has it all wrong. Thanks.
Since you are an expert on gearcase durability, I'd like to know the technical reasons why letting the gearcase oil go 300 hours or 3 years will cause it to have a shorter life. What do you know about the gearcase used on the Evinrude E-TECs or the gear oil that the factory specifies for them? I have three of these gearcases on non-ETECs with the factory specified oil in them that Evinrude says is good for 300 hours or 3 years. So please enlighten me and others as to why Evinrude has it all wrong. Thanks.
If you cannot understand the marketing aspect of a 300 hour gear oil change then I have no reply. Keep drinking the Koolaid. And when your gearcase fails in 800 hours and the ones changed every 100 hours are still going at 1500 hours just maybe you'll see the light. Maybe not.
I have twin 250s on my 26' Cape Horn. I love them. Lots of low end torque, great top end. I was pretty pleased with the fuel burn numbers as well. The oil is a little expensive, but you are only burning 100:1 vs. 50 or 60:1 so it balances out. As everyone else said, they are all built well today, you shouldn't have any problems.
__________________ Captain Todd Dempsey
USCG 25 Ton Masters
Great engine, silky smooth gearcase. Great low end torque and hole shot.
Get used to buying expensive oil- about $35./gallon for XD-100. On my 250 I am burning much more than I though I would. I am going to have the programming checked out.
E-tec: Good or bad???? 
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