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BRP Ficht Engine Reliability?
Derwd24	#1  Posted on 10/03/07 - 10:18 PM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	I've been looking at used engines and was aware of the issues OMC had with the Ficht engines for the first few years they came out, but was surprised to see a 2003 BRP Evinrude Ficht in my search. Can I assume the BRP engines didn't have the same issues as the original OMC Ficht did? Seems like these ?BRP engines were the pre-Etec, does anyone know what the specific differences are? Thanks for any input, Dave
jlh49	#2  Posted on 10/04/07 - 5:20 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 92 Comments: 1 Joined: 02/25/07	Dave, The thread listed below contains a discussion relative to your questions. Based on the comments, 2003 appears to be the year BRP addressed the previous years' FICHT problems. http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=586607/FICHT Issue Jack Harley 1989 Outrage 22' 2005 Yamaha F150
Derwd24	#3  Posted on 10/04/07 - 7:49 AM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Thanks Jack, that was informative and certainly shed light on the issue as well as the final days of what was going on at OMC as I also read the link to the recall and all that lead up to it. I also did some reading last night after the post about the Yamaha HDPI engines, and it seems the ones of that same era (2003 or so) are well worth considering. Have to do a little more research though as it seems they may need higher capacity batteries for some reason? Thanks again, Dave
Bob Kemmler JR	#4  Posted on 10/04/07 - 7:57 AM
Member Project Albums Posts: 269 Comments: 7 Joined: 10/10/05	According to a few OMC diehards I know, the DFI(Ficht) Motors that were built after the BRP takeover are stronger and better on fuel than the Etecs. On the hunt for a classic 19 or 21 Whaler
Derwd24	#5  Posted on 10/05/07 - 10:57 AM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Yeah, when I read posts by guys who've owned them for years and call them "bullet proof" it sure makes an impression! In looking at used 2 stroke motors, do compression numbers vary from each manufacturer or is there a general rule I can go by? Like everything 110 PSI and above is OK?
myakka	#6  Posted on 10/06/07 - 5:46 PM
Member Posts: 36 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/09/05	Thanks guys Ive been dismissing OMC Fitch powered boats from my search for a new(used but bigger) boat. I thought all Fitch's were time bombs. Thanks for this information. Mike
Joe Kriz	#7  Posted on 10/06/07 - 7:04 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	I think the years to watch out for in both the Johnson & Evinrude Ficht engines were: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Don't quote me on that as I am not positive.
Derwd24	#8  Posted on 10/06/07 - 7:17 PM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Those years seem in agreement with everything I've come across so far Joe. 2001 would be a bit risky but OK if there was confirmation of the proper recall/updates done by a dealer. Was just reading last night that some of the bigger Yamaha HPDI outboards had issues too, so it seems careful research is in order before buying... Edited by Derwd24 on 10/06/07 - 8:24 PM
Whaler27	#9  Posted on 10/06/07 - 7:26 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 32 Comments: 1 Joined: 10/11/06	2002 is the first model year for the BRP built Fichts. I have two 2002s and have owned them since 2003. They have been as trouble free as any other the dozen or so motors I've had including Yamahas. I've only had two problems on one motor, both are what I would call self inflicted. The first was a hot running vapor cooler ultimately caused by running in shallow water where the motor ingested some mud that clogged up the vapor cooler. Was able to fix the problem myself in about 1/2 hour. The other problem I had recently was with a fuel pressure test tee. The shraeder valve in the tee came out. Was fixed by the dealer in the same day! They believe the cause was excess (more than 10 percent) ethanol in the fuel. After 4 full seasons with these motors (400+ hours and probably 4000+ miles), I would not hesitate at all on the purchase of a boat with BRP built Ficht/DI motors.
sraab928	#10  Posted on 10/08/07 - 5:13 AM
Member Project Albums Posts: 1282 Comments: 13 Joined: 12/27/05	I have heard the same - The BRP engines are the ones you want. Avoid pre BRP engines. If you watch Ebay you will see lots of 2001's pop up with dead cylinders - Im sure there is a reason for that. Good luck in your search. Scott Scott 1974 21' Revenge w Mercury 200 ProXS V8
Derwd24	#11  Posted on 10/08/07 - 11:16 AM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Yeah, there was a dealer on E-Bay that had a 2001 that looked to be in great condition and reasonably priced, so I emailed and asked if the recall and updates had been done, but he never got back to me, which I think says a lot. There were no bids BTW which I think also says something. So 2002 on up seems to be the safest bet...