1999 EVINRUDE 225 FICHT ENGINE????

[bassrippin365]

Just wonderind if anybody has had any luck with this engine?I'm looking at one and the guy says he only has about sixty hours on it.Any help would be greatly appreciated.thank you in advance

[Scott L]

Most replies will tell you to stay away from it, but how many actually owned one?
They had problems with the 150 and some problems with the 225. I can speak from personal experience. My powerhead was replaced at about 30 hrs. Knock on wood...I have not had any more problems except for a small electrical panel that was replaced.

From what I have read and heard, Optimax had their share of problems during this time as well.

When I have spoken to mechanics that service them, they have said they don't have a problem with them.

To answer your question, check for service records and the shop that serviced the motor. Take it to a mechanic of your choice (certified to work on the engine) and pay him to checkout the motor and print off the history of the motor. This is very useful in that it will tell you what error codes have come up on the engine, what RPMs and for how long the it has been operated at. Then the all important question, how much?

Do your homework and good luck.

Scott

[FRANK D. LOZANO]

Hey Bass,

Those motors have some factory campaigns that are important
including computer remapping.

Make sure you do the basics before you purchase, compression, ck lower for water in the gear oil and leaks, etc.

Have it checked out. You should be fine.

[Alan]

I bought my boat in 2001 with a 99 225 ficht. I was was leary about the motor. Had it checked out, and have since put over 400 hrs with no problems. I think most problems were with the 150's.

[R watts]

I bought mine in 2003 (1999 225 ficht) I have put a couple hundred hours on the motor and it has been great. There were two problems that I have had with it. The rectifier/voltage regulator, went out last season unk why but I had it replaced and the Mechanic said sometimes it just happens.

The other problem I have been having with is spun 4 blade renegade props. 2 props so far I have been told by my mechanic that the exhaust in these motors on long runs heats up the hub so much that it melts the bushing. This has only happened with the 4 blade renegade not my three blade raker, never had a problem with that prop. I just received a new prop from renegade and it is their new disign with a brass type hub. I have been running it for several hours and have no problems with it at all. Hope is stays running.

I have had my motor looked at by Antioch marine and I think off hand it was Pete. Great place and very knowledgable about this motor. I don't know where your located but Rich at Belmont boats in San Carlos knows this motor in and out. He has one on his personal boat and has been servicing mine since I bought it.

There is also an injector upgrade that came out for this motor a while back that is around 300-400 bucks and it has something to do with the shims on the injector or something similar.

Anyway do like the others have said and have it checked out but mine has been good to me so far and I think that someone could have problems with just about any motor anytime. Good luck

[Ryan L]

I am truley impresed with frank D's posts. He is simply not another buisness man out to make money on his posts hereon this web site he gives out great info. Even info that could shy you away from the product that he sales. It is great to see this kind of honesty in this period on this web site.

[Cooch]

I've got a 2000 225 and the only problem I've had with it over the 6 years I've owned it, is the computer went out and was causing strange things to happen. Upon getting this replaced and driving home, Pete at Antioch called my cell and said Bombardier had called him to tweek the timing and I needed to bring it back. So I did, and then headed off to ClearLake. During my ride back down to Redbud, the motor coughed and quit at Anderson Island. Not good, popped the number 6 cylinder. Come ta find out, it was due to the advanced timing Bombaidier recommended. They took responsibilty and replaced the entire power head, and I've had no problems with it since. Frank is dead on, there have been some factory campaigns with this motor, Pete at Antioch Marine has been real good with mine in assuring I have these technical updates installed. He specializes in these motor.

I'll echo the thoughts of others, whether it be Frank's place, or Antioch Marine, get that motor into a Bombardier service shop and have em check it out for ya first! It's a fine motor.

[Robert Ratzlaff]

I have a 2000 - 200 I didnt really read word for word the last post here but one problem they have had is the ring pin will come out of the ring and just rip things up I had mine go out just after the two year warinty... if you did buy it see how much they charge to rebuild it if the purchase price is good... I would guess 4000 or less.
Thats what bobs marine charged me i would guess mine went out with 250 hrs or less I know was fishing alot. other then that its a good motor,,,

[bassrippin365]

thanks for all of your responses.I"ve had alot of people tell me not to get that motor but nobody who actually owned one.so i posted this and got some good feedback.again thanks