Evinrude E Tek Motors

What’s the story on these? I’m looking at used pontoons and I see these motors are on some pontoons. Found a used one in my price range and the layout and accessories I want but it has a 2007 Evinrude 90 E Tek on it. Are these solid or do I run away?
Be my first pontoon ever so I know nothing about the care and feeding of them. Don’t want to start out with a boat load of somebody else’s problems. I’d like to start out new but they want more than I paid for my first house new!

I would pass or figure in the cost of switching out that motor.

My dad had an etec thinking the quiet, fuel efficient motor was the way to go.. it wasnt, atleast not for him. Couldnt idle down without cutting and it had some automatic setting causing it to overheat intermittently and not start back up. Mechanic said the only way to get it going again was to bring it into a dealership.

After a year or two of tinkering with it, he couldnt sell it fast enough. Maybe the next guy could figure it out. Maybe it was just a dud. Who knows

I know Mike had a terrible experience. I’ve had my 135HO for three years now and love it. But then again it’s a newer model, so I tend to agree that the older ones might be trouble.

Thanks for the input guys. I decided to pass on this particular one. Trying to stay in the $10-13K range and not be 20 years old and the right layout and 4 stroke motor of at least 50hp. Not a easy bill to fill.

Good move ! My brother in law had one and sold it as fast as he could. Problems after problems.

My MIL bought a new ‘toon with a 90 Etec last year (2018). After years of wanting a 4-stroke, I gave her a lot of crap about buying into the Etec sales pitch.

So far, it’s been great, though. Not quite as quiet as a 4-stroke, but it starts right up and runs smoothly. The downside is the cost of oil. Ours is set up for XD100 (from what I understand, the dealer can modify this), which isn’t cheap, and with what she paid for it, I will just stick to what they recommend. It doesn’t use much oil, though.

So, I know there are some horror stories out there, but her friend had one and really liked it, and we’ve been happy so far, too.

Little over 10 years ago that I traded my troubled e tech for a yamaha. This last weekend will looking for a new boat I jumped in one with a much newer e tech on back. From the moment the motor started up there was not a chance I would be running that motor. 2 thoughts that popped in my head was first, ” this is no yamaha”. 2nd ” I bet this is a fantastic motor for guys that have not ran a yamaha”. Still after over 10 years away from e tech I couldn’t do it again.

Mike W wrote:

2 thoughts that popped in my head was first, ” this is no yamaha”. 2nd ” I bet this is a fantastic motor for guys that have not ran a yamaha”.

Everyone has their jadings, and many are justifiable. Had I had your experience, I would not buy another, too. For me, I will never buy another Chevy, but they work well for many people.

I rented one once and was impressed. Probably 4 years ago. Pontoon with either a 40 or 60. I dont remember. Crossin Eyes has a 115 that’s a few years old and it runs perfect. Sounds like a sewing machine at idle.

Friend of mine works at a dealership. His only comment was “they are a ticking time bomb from the moment you turn the key, they will blow up.” I have no personal experience but this might be the reason you see a lot of Pros running them, they don’t keep a boat long enough to be a problem.

Red Eye wrote:

Friend of mine works at a dealership. His only comment was “they are a ticking time bomb from the moment you turn the key, they will blow up.” I have no personal experience but this might be the reason you see a lot of Pros running them, they don’t keep a boat long enough to be a problem.

Hard to believe Evinrude would put out a product like that. What a shame if true. My 1978 15 hp Evi is still going strong.

You are talking a completely different motor there Suzuki. Those old 2 stroke evinrudes where fantastic little motors.

Guess my biggest fear with an E tech would be getting another lemon they could not figure out how to fix. At one point I even talked with Evinrude about buying my E tech back and I would try another one. Was told by them to sell mine to someone I didn’t know.

Mike W wrote:

You are talking a completely different motor there Suzuki. Those old 2 stroke evinrudes where fantastic little motors.

Guess my biggest fear with an E tech would be getting another lemon they could not figure out how to fix. At one point I even talked with Evinrude about buying my E tech back and I would try another one. Was told by them to sell mine to someone I didn’t know.

I believe you Mike. What a shame.

I would guess that they’ve worked the kinks out on the etec G1 motors by now, and that’s certainly been my experience. A family member has a 2014ish 150 etec that has also been flawless. But I’ve heard that the new G2 motors are having issues. Who knows…

For what it’s worth, I would have bought an OptiMax or a Yamaha if they made a 135hp 6 cyl. I think Merc discontinued the 135 opti the year before I bought my etec, which was a bummer. I’m saying this out of ear shot from my etec, but I’m going to knock on wood just in case!

I had 2 that were good motors. 850+ hours couple of issues. One bad injector on the second motor, and the ECM had to be reflashed on the first motor. I liked them. Way better out of the hole than the offshore yamaha, and the verado I have now. They are much quieter than the older 2 strokes, but this new verado is amazing how quiet it is. Big difference E-tec vs verado for sound.