E-Tec Winterization - The Hull Truth

JALICHTY · 11-20-2005, 06:41 PM

I bought a 2006 225 hp E-Tec this spring and brought it home. Now that it's November, it't time to winterize. However, when I went through the steps, the engine refused to work as the book said it was supposed to. I bought the boat in North Carolina, so it won't do any good to try to get it back to them. Previously, someone on this board gave me the number at BRP to call and see if they can help me. Help!!!!!!!!

fourdfish · 11-20-2005, 07:17 PM

The winterization is actually fairly simple.! However! that being said the trick is to find the FAST idle warmup button on your particular throttle. Since their are several different throttle models out you have to find out where yours is! Mine was in the middle of my throttle assembly and I never needed to use it for 14yrs so I didn't realize it was there. Once you know where it is, there are 3 steps and it takes just a few minutes and the engine computer will shut off the engine when it is finished. The language in the owners manual is weird so if you want me to, I can email you the 3 steps in easy to understand language. The PH# for BRP is 847-689-7090

fourdfish · 11-20-2005, 07:48 PM

JALICHTY- I sent you an email.

mmcannava · 11-21-2005, 01:05 AM

I tried to winterize my 05 225 Etec's using my Teleflex KE4 controls...couldn't make it happen. Got the KE4's into 'idle' mode, then bumped the throttles forward to the first 'stop,' then started the engine.... System Check went through it's paces for 10" or so. Then bumped the throttle back to straight-up neutral...again System Check cycled through it's 'warnings.' Then, for the final step, bumped the throttles back to that first forward stop...nothing. Tried several times (System Check was supposed to have cycled one last time, fogging the engine, and then shutting down).

Calling BRP tomorrow but might have to call Teleflex.... Can't imagine I'm the only Etec owner with the Teleflex controls.

This was with a warm-H2O hose into the flush port, boat on trailer...Soldotna, AK...20 degrees. Brrr.

Whaler27 · 11-21-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

mmcannava - 11/21/2005 1:05 AM

I tried to winterize my 05 225 Etec's using my Teleflex KE4 controls...couldn't make it happen. Got the KE4's into 'idle' mode, then bumped the throttles forward to the first 'stop,' then started the engine.... System Check went through it's paces for 10" or so. Then bumped the throttle back to straight-up neutral...again System Check cycled through it's 'warnings.' Then, for the final step, bumped the throttles back to that first forward stop...nothing. Tried several times (System Check was supposed to have cycled one last time, fogging the engine, and then shutting down).

Calling BRP tomorrow but might have to call Teleflex.... Can't imagine I'm the only Etec owner with the Teleflex controls.

This was with a warm-H2O hose into the flush port, boat on trailer...Soldotna, AK...20 degrees. Brrr.

Instructions I've read say to advance the throttle to the "full warm-up position" and then start the engine. When the lights go out, bring it back down to idle. When the lights go out again, advance the throttle to "Full" in neutral, lights will flash and the motor will go into a fast idle and fog itself.

Is the "first stop" on the KE-4 equivalent to "full warm-up position" or the "Full Neutral" position?

mmcannava · 11-21-2005, 09:38 AM

The Teleflex instructions don't use that language so it's hard to know. From straight-up to the first stop puts the engine in slow-forward (when the controls are not in 'idle' mode)...from straight-up to the first stop there is no increase in RPM's in either mode. Past that there are no more hard 'stops,' just gradual increase in RPM's. I advanced past that stop too...revved the engines up quite a bit...still couldn't get that final 'fogging' step to occur. Is it triggered by RPM's?

Whaler27 · 11-21-2005, 10:16 AM

Doesn't seem that the first stop on the KE- is the equivalent of "full". Can't tell whether you are really in the mode.

Does the KE-4 function when the ignition is off? If not, you might have some difficulty because I think the EMM in the motor maybe looking for a high TPS signal in neutral when it is switched on to signal entry into the winterization mode. If it is looking for this state when the motor is started instead of just the ignition switched on then I would guess you should be able to enter into the W mode.

JALICHTY · 11-21-2005, 10:54 AM

Just talked with the BRP tech rep and he told me a little different than the manual seems to indicate. He said to turn on the key and let the self-check perform. As soon as the self-check is done the first time, he said to start the boat at about 1/2 throttle, approximately 1,200 rpm. After the self-check does it's deal again, immediately put the motor in neutral until the self-check starts again. After the self-check goes out, advance to 1/2 throttle again and the fogging is supposed to start. Unfortunately, I will probably have to wait until later this week to try this out as I don't think doing it after dark will work very well.

crackerasscracker · 11-21-2005, 11:59 AM

I thought you didn't have to winterize it for the first 300 hours..... the magic lower unit oil has warming properties or something......

JALICHTY · 11-21-2005, 01:09 PM

Winterizing is more than changing the lower unit lubrication. It is also fogging the engine and making sure it's drained so it doesn't freeze up over the winter. The 300 hours is for the first required dealer servicing. Fortunately I keep my boat in an insulated garage and don't really have to worry about freezing, heck even the water dishes don't freeze up in the garage.

mmcannava · 11-21-2005, 03:54 PM

Well...Teleflex is closed until the 28th or so. And Al at BRP customer service seems to take offense when I tell him what I'm doing, and how it's exactly as described in my manual...and he explains it differently (at first he said, "Start it in neutral, wait until the lights go off, then advance the throttle"-my question, "If you did it that way...that's just like starting it to head out...how would the engine know to winterize?" He got frustrated and grabbed a manual...and read it exactly as I'd described it...start in fast idle...not just neutral.)

He seemed to indicate though that if the engine sensed at least 1200 RPM's it'd do it's winterization thing...so I'll find that position on the Teleflex and try again.

evernic · 11-21-2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

crackerasscracker - 11/21/2005 10:59 AM

I thought you didn't have to winterize it for the first 300 hours..... the magic lower unit oil has warming properties or something......

KY has that product also

Three Vs · 11-21-2005, 03:59 PM

[quote]JALICHTY - 11/21/2005 12:09 PM

The 300 hours is for the first required dealer servicing.

Sounds like you guys need a dealer for this "fogging"

mmcannava · 11-21-2005, 04:11 PM

It's a simple procedure...for me at least I think it's more of an aftermarket add-on issue with the Teleflex vs. any issue with the engines, which I really like

JALICHTY · 11-21-2005, 04:28 PM

Three Vs, I think the idea from Evinrude was that we would not need a dealer to fog the engine(s). In 17 prior years of winterizing my outboards, I was able to do it all by myself, and I'm an accountant, not somebody who really knows my way around mechanical things. Other owners have reported that it works just find. I thought this would be an easy procedure, I'm just guessing that some switch is not chatching quite right. Plans having changed on Thanksgiving this morning, I will be in town for the holiday and will try it later this week to see how it works. Will report back then.

LI Sound Grunt · 11-21-2005, 04:44 PM

My 4 year love affair with computerized fuel injected outboards ended for similiar reasons....Yes, I'm quite sure they want you to go to the dealer and yes - I had different advice on my Fichts maintenance from the Bomb techs vs. the dealer vs. the manual....

Good Luck they run SO GOOD.... when they run.....

fourdfish · 11-21-2005, 07:06 PM

It may in fact be that the engineers programed the procedure with only BRP controls. Both a friend of mine and myself have done it twice now and it worked as it was supposed to! My dealer said he has not had any problems with it. Hope it works out for you. If not, I think that BRP should pay the dealer to do it for you with the computer since it is still under warrenty.

JALICHTY · 11-21-2005, 11:36 PM

Fourdfish:

I talked to BRP this morning and he said that it probably would be warranteed but I have had such bad experience with the dealer that I hate to go back there, but I will if necessary. This dealer diagnosed the engine as having been stuck in winterizing mode all summer, told me it only took about 10 minutes to find it, said there would be no cost since it didn't take very long and then, a week later I get a bill for $125.00 for troubleshooting. The dealer is a grouchy old man who is mad because I didn't buy a boat from him. I tried to make a little peace by buying a 9.9 4S trolling motor from him and having him install the motor, but that didn't help. Eventually he will get what's coming to him, I hope. In the meantime, I'll just have to put up with it.

JALICHTY · 11-21-2005, 11:38 PM

Fourdfish:

I talked to BRP this morning and he said that it probably would be warranteed but I have had such bad experience with the dealer that I hate to go back there, but I will if necessary. This dealer diagnosed the engine as having been stuck in winterizing mode all summer, told me it only took about 10 minutes to find it, said there would be no cost since it didn't take very long and then, a week later I get a bill for $125.00 for troubleshooting. The dealer is a grouchy old man who is mad because I didn't buy a boat from him. I tried to make a little peace by buying a 9.9 4S trolling motor from him and having him install the motor, but that didn't help. Eventually he will get what's coming to him, I hope. In the meantime, I'll just have to put up with it.

fourdfish · 11-21-2005, 11:48 PM

jal-- Thats unfortunate! You are probably not close to another dealer. Sounds like the guy does not have any competition and not a people person. Down the road you may want to buy the computer program and cable for that engine. By the way, a software update was out for those engines. You need your serial # to find out if it applys to yours, and call to BRP again and ask them.