Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by Mtierney on 07/24/13 - 7:12 PM

I am having an issue with my twin 250 Etecs. The starboard engine lags behind the port. I have to significantly pull back the port throttle, especially during a hole shot, to keep the engines in sync. I had it gone through by the dealer and a water pump was blamed last season, but no improvement. The tough part is the computer is giving them no fault codes.

I got one alarm that said "injector issue, contact dealer" on my icommand gauges, but blew the fuse shortly thereafter, and no ode was saved.

It sounds like a lazy injector, but how to prove it?

The dealer is supposed to take it for a sea trial tomorrow.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Matt

Posted by Silentpardner on 08/03/13 - 8:24 PM

Any chance they used a different ratio in the lower unit when they replaced them? I don't even know if that is possible to do, but if one engine takes less throttle than the other, and the props are the same pitch...and both are in good shape...and the motors run perfectly...and the diagnostics program doesn't show fault codes...could a gear ratio be different between the two? Oh, and your whole problem started as soon as you got BOTH lower units repaired after BLOWING ONE? How do you "blow a lower unit"....don't you have to hit something or run them empty on oil...or lose a seal to the water?

Posted by Silentpardner on 08/03/13 - 9:01 PM

QUOTE : "I got one alarm that said "injector issue, contact dealer" on my icommand gauges, but blew the fuse shortly thereafter, and no ode was saved.

OK, I don't know anything about E-Tecs from experience, but it is my understanding that they work the same as my Yamahas, the ECM on the engine SENDS the alarm condition to the guage AFTER it faults in a particular loop. If the ECM sent that message to the guage, the code should be on the ECM unless the dealer cleared it. There should be NO WAY for that code to disappear from the ECM simply due to a fuse blowing. It either did not send the message you saw and that was some really good LSD you had that day, or there is something wrong with the way that ECM is working back there, or there is actually a bad injector on the engine that was under warranty that the dealer did not want to honor for some reason. Doesn't the ECM on the E-Tec control the engine syncing like happens on the Yamahas? I sure hope that those engines are still under warranty, as down here, the ECM for that engine, according to my dealer in Palacios TX, is approximately $1100 before it is installed. Sure hope it isn't that...Is there any truth to the rumor down here on the coast that the ECM on an E-Tec is actually cooled by raw (salt, in our case) water circulation? Could that be why the dealer thought the water pump had something to do with your problem before? Your question is interesting, please post what your dealer tells you...all I got is more questions, sorry:(

Good Luck!

Posted by Mtierney on 08/04/13 - 8:03 PM

The dealer ended up putting a new computer in, because they saw the same issue on a sea trial, with no code saved. They thought the computer was bad, causing all my problems. They also found bad pressures from my fuel pumps, and replaced those. All under warrantee.

I don't know about the cooling of the ECM?

I asked about the gear ratio, they said the lower units either work or don't, no different settings.

They are stumped as well. I did about 30 miles through crappy weather yesterday, and the engines did fine, but the starboard one still lagged the port.

I am getting frustrated, and they had my boat for almost three weeks of our very short season up here, but I want it resolved befor the warrantee runs out in April.

Thanks for the input, keep it coming.

Matt

Posted by Silentpardner on 08/04/13 - 9:09 PM

I asked about the gear ratio, they said the lower units either work or don't, no different settings.

I did not mean "settings". I meant did they change the gear ratio of one of the motors when they did the work? Another way to put that is, "is there more than one gear ratio offered for the motor horsepower you have"...in other words, was there a "high output" model available for your engine horsepower, and did they accidentally use it's bottom end instead of the one you bought originally in one of your motors when rebuilding them?

Posted by Silentpardner on 08/04/13 - 11:24 PM

#12

They use standard cables 1979 and later.

Very odd indeed...
According to the E-Tec website, and I quote...
"New features like RPM Tune and PowerSync give you more control than ever before.

Evinrude ICON is an advanced, intelligent electronic shift and throttle system for Evinrude E-TEC outboard engines.

Beginning with the 2010 model year, ICON systems are factory installed on four Evinrude E-TEC 250 hp and four Evinrude E-TEC 300hp models. ICON controls support from one to five Evinrude E-TEC V6 engines including dual station - flying bridge applications.

For non-ICON factory models, an ICON engine add-on kit is available to fit MY2008 and newer, Evinrude E-TEC 150hp through 300hp models. ICON engine add-on kits include the actuators and all necessary installation components.

The all-new electronic shift and control component on the Evinrude ICON control system features an advanced high-speed network controller that electronically delivers effortless shifting and precise throttle control in a reliable and intuitive package.

Specialized features include gear position indicators, neutral throttle advance, synchronized engine trim, RPM Tune and a unique PowerSync control for multi-engine applications. ICON control systems are designed to help make a more reliable, user-friendly boating experience. Evinrude E-TEC outboards are designed to give you more time on the water."

http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/iconen-US/icon

Perhaps it's time to update those articles... I noticed the one you have on Yamaha controls is also very outdated. I am pretty sure I only noticed all these changes due to my recent motor shopping, but I have noticed there have been a LOT of changes in the way modern engines are controlled in the last few years. As a matter of fact, all the engines from E-Tec in this poster's HP range have been factory rigged with the ICON controls since 2010, and are available from year model 2008.

Edited by Silentpardner on 08/04/13 - 11:49 PM

Posted by Mtierney on 08/09/13 - 6:09 AM

#16

I have the older version of the throttle control. There is a new throttle-by-wire version that is available for 2008 and newer ETECS, but my mechanic advised against them. I have a reading on my guages that shows me throttle percentage, the starboard engine always is needing around 10% more to stay synced. That corresponds to the position on the lever. The sync needle corresponds to my ears hearing them in sync.

I asked about the H.O. lower unit thing, and they said they are totally different appearing. Both lower units were changed at the same time. I don't know enough about cam wear, and will admit I don't even know what a binnacle is. The boat runs fine once on plane in calm seas and trimmed up, but getting to that point takes effort, and again more throttle on the starboard engine. Very frustrating when I took it out in bad weather, and had to work hard to both fight the seas, and deal with the engine inequality.

Thanks again for all the input, at least I know my questions to the dealer are not that stupid.