New Motor

O.K. I do not want to start an arguement about what is the best motor etc. I would just like some feed back in order to make a good decision. I need honest feedback from owners of the motors that I will ask about. I visited with my dealer about possibly trading my 2001 merc four stroke in for a new 90 E-tech next summer. I do not want to pay interest on a toy. I wanted to figure out how I could save to buy the motor without payments. So this is what I found out after telling him of two concerns of E-tech motors that I ran into last May. Both of these guys had big motors and were bought a few years ago. One guy said, “do you want the truth or do you want to know what happend to me”? The second guy also had a big motor and basically said the same thing. The first guy had lower unit problems meaning replacement three times which was handled very well by his dealer. The second guy had a severe problem with his starter system that viabrated and caused block problems. My dealer told me that E-techs have some issues which were confirmed by his head mechanic later. The issues are: lower unit problems, wiring that is so tight that there is a note from Evinrude telling to look for frayed wires that cause problems, starter vibration problems that cause block problems, spark plugs that go out early especially if you troll a lot. I have never had a problem with my merc since I learned not to pump the bulb up tight. I also have two friends that have four stroke Suzukis who have never had a problem after 8 seasons for one and five seasons for another. I’m thinking that maybe I should just keep my merc or go with a Suzuki four stroke if I trade. What do you think without knocking the motors that are not your choice? I own a 90 hp merc and am looking for another 90 or 115 engine. Maybe! Thanks for your input! By the way my dealer sells Merc, E-tech, and Mercs.

as a novice boat owner, all I can offer is my experience with my Suzuki 4-stroke (DF140). It’s on its third year and all I’ve had to do was winterize it. I check the oil before heading out each time. It starts up every time (except that cold day on P4 last February when my battery quit), has run flawlessly, and never given me any grief.

The only ‘repairs’ I’ve needed was to straighten out the prop after running over a sandbar…

I own a 115 Suzy 4-stroke (with a Johnson label on the side, but it’s a 100% ‘zuki motor). Not one problem in 4 years….that’s 4 years of fishing 11 months per year, in addition to tournament fishing and guiding for the past 2. Standard maintenance by the book….couldn’t be happier. When I move into a new boat, this motor will be one thing I will definitely miss.

I dont think there is a motor manufacturer out there that has had 0 issues with any of their motors. Sometimes its poor design, sometimes things are caused by operator error or ignorance… I had one friend in the past blow out a lower unit avoiding a collision with a PWC.. he was cruising about 40 mph and cut the throttle and accidently threw it into reverse in the same move. The lower unit couldnt take it, should we blame the manufacturer for that?

I know there are lots of good motors on the market, and people usually arent too tight lipped about bad experiences with motors… neither are people with “hear-say”. People with good experiences with a product are usually quick to speak out also when asked.

I know people who have had both good and bad experiences with just about every popular motor brand out there. You can get a lemon in any category, no matter who produces it. It often seems many of the problems iron out after being on the market for a couple years.

The only larger HP motors I havent heard many complaints about is yamaha… at the same time, I know of a couple “lemon” kickers out there with re-occuring carb issues.

I would suggest staying with what you have the most confidence in. If you dont like something about your motor.. do the research, make the change and keep your fingers crossed… it may just pay off in the future.

They all make good stuff. If it was a matter of opinion from our friends we would all own one of each truck/boat/motor combination. Heard horror stories from all the manufacturers products but those are the flukes versus the norm.

Speaking from experience my 200 Suzuki 4-stroke has been flawless. Parts are sometimes slow to get if you get any major damage from something like a submerged marker bouy Would love to have the 250 Suzuki on my next boat but will be just as happy with the Yahama 4-stroke, unless they start paying out like the rest of them.

-Richard

I’m one of those guys who finds something I like about almost all of the brands out there. I love the quite smooth running of a Yamaha four stroke. I love the hole shot, the fuel efficiency and growl of an OptiMax. I like the way the Etec trolls down. I also love the dependability of the Suzuki.

With that being said, I think you should decide what you really want out of a new motor. If you want quite and smooth running more than speed or hole shot, a new four stroke is probably in order (Yamaha, Suzuki, Merc all make good four strokes in that general size range). If you want fairly quite with some good speed and hole shot, the Etec might be a good option. If you want speed with the best hole shot, look at the Optimax 115. It’s awesome that we live in a time where we have these kind of options. Good Luck

I have a 2005 e-tec 90 tiller on my 618t. Even though I have only used it 2 seasons, new May 06, I have yet to have any issues with this motor. Only thing needed was a software update, no charge. Didnt know it needed it until mechanic friend told me about it. The motor even fogs itself for winter storage. No oil changes, no maintenance for 3 years, and maintenance is lower unit oil change and fuel filter after 3 years. Also about a hundred pounds lighter than a Suzy. makes it easier to put on a kicker. Ordered new boat, 620T with e-tec power.

I have a 115 4-stroke merc on my boat now and am going to have a 175 Suzuki on the new boat. I had to replace a couple of bearings in the lower unit of my merc because of stray fishing line but other than that I have not had another problem. As far as the Suzuki’s, I have not heard a consistant bad thing about them, I like what I see from what I have been around them and their warranty is good.

I’m curious as to why you were interested in the Etec to begin with. When I looked into powering my new boat, I looked at Yammy, Suzy, Merc, and Etec. I can say that all of them were excellent engines that also had some history of problems. Try the motors out on a similar boat to yours to get a feel for them, then go with the one that your feel most confident will fit your needs and when the problems arise, you will still be happy with your choice. I chose the 115 hp Etec because it shot out of the hole like a rocket and I was wanting to go with an engine less than the 150 max hp to save a few thousand dollars. I’m thrilled with the performance and if I do have problems–I’ll deal with them and I’m confident that BRP will take care of them.

The concerns you expressed regarding E-Tec are valid after chatting with other E-Tec owners.

I own a 90 E-Tec and my best friend a 90 HP Suziki. The lower unit on my E-Tec very slowly lowers itself, and other have experienced the same problem. My understanding is the dealers are replacing the entire lower unit portion.

Aside from that no problems and the E-Tec gets super gas mileage. I also troll a lot and after two years have had no problems with plugs or starting.

As for the 90 HP Suziki my friend has, I am impressed. The Suziki is quieter, and although hard to believe just as fast. For hole shots the Suziki is fine, although we have never done side-by-side comparisions.

If you go with Etec go with the 115 hp as it has more cubic inch thus more torgue.
Thanks, Bill

Bill, if I did it again I would definately go with 115 HP E-Tec. However, I have the 90 HP E-Tec and it has been very dependable, but performance versus the four strokes has been a bit less then advertised.

Thanks for your input! Since my 2001 Merc has had no problems with the carburation issue since I have learned not to pump it tight and since I have been putting Sea Foam in year around I have no more issues with this motor. I think I will keep this motor till it drops and even though it does not troll down like I would like it has been very dependable.

If the motor runs good for you that may be one of the best decisions you ever made.

Good luck!

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Bill, if I did it again I would definately go with 115 HP E-Tec. However, I have the 90 HP E-Tec and it has been very dependable, but performance versus the four strokes has been a bit less then advertised.

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My son Nate ran the 90hp Etec on 2 different boats and it doesn’t have the cubic inch that my Johnson 90 2-stroke does [which is a very strong motor] but it pushed the boats pretty good. I use my kicker motor more than I do do my bigger motor so it will be awhile before I replace my big motor but the Etec 115 hp looks like the one I will probably go with. My boat is rated for a 150 hp but I figure 40+ mph is all I need.
Thanks, Bill