150 evenrude 2 stroke

[steplift20]

I heard there was a problem with the evenrude engines before Do you know what years they were? I can get a good deal on a 150 2004 evenrude with 400 hours how much is it worth?

[THEFERMANATOR]

The FICHT and FICHT RAM engines are normally to be avoided if built by OMC. By 04 they were all built by BRP, and were much better engines, but I would still be gunshy of one myself. Is the engine in question a FICHT RAM or a carbed motor? Most all of the EVINRUDES were FICHT's while the JOHNSON's were normally carbed engines, but there were some exceptions. Most people put a much higher value on the carb motors over the DFI FICHT injection engines due to all of the problems they've had. If it's the carbed engine, it's a good engine(just thirsty), but I would avoid injected ones.

[steplift20]

So I should stay away? Do you know what years they had the problems with the heads blowing up? I read somewhere they almost went out of business cause of that bad design

[Kracker Jack]

As was stated above the Ficht motors are very touchy high maintenance motors. I have seen 2 ficht motors that are my buddy's detonate already this summer. And one last year on another buddy boat. I don't trust em

[spareparts]

I think the year models that give problems were 1935-2017 and beyond

[steplift20]

I think I will stick with mercurys

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by steplift20

So I should stay away? Do you know what years they had the problems with the heads blowing up? I read somewhere they almost went out of business cause of that bad design

Any of the ficht or ficht ram engines imo should be avoided. Thats the direct fuel injected engines from 97-03. When bombardier took over mid 03 they got better, but I would still avoid one. The etecs don't get as good of milage, but are much more reliable engines, but even they would be WAY down on my list. My opinion has ALWAYS been to avoid a dfi(direct fuel injected) outboard that wasn't under warranty unless you knewhow to work on one, and are prepared to dump some money into one out of the blue aseven basic repairs on them can be expensive. Dfi is nowhere near as user friendly as basic fuel injection is.

[steplift20]

Thanks guys I hope this question will help some one else it sure helped me I will stick with mercurys Thanks

[bgreene]

When Bombardier bought out OMC, they corrected the issues, and the 03's and on were fine.
They got it right again with the launch of the Etec in 05', excellent from the very first year.

Took Mercury years to get the opti max right, and yamaha has had their share of issues -corrosion included. Point being, each have had good and worse motors.

I'm reasonably qualified to comment.......I had an 04' Evinrude 200 ficht - ran great till I sold the boat. I now have the first year Etec, an 05 so 12 years old and still runs perfect. Starts instantly to idle as if fully warm every time, runs strong, easy on fuel.

Good luck with your search - do multiple source research until a clear picture of each motor / year/ reputation becomes clear.

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by steplift20

I heard there was a problem with the evenrude engines before Do you know what years they were? I can get a good deal on a 150 2004 evenrude with 400 hours how much is it worth?

its a 13 year old salt water outboard no matter how many hours it has.
its a 2 stroke in the new age of 4 strokes.
its an evinrude.
It has a bad reputation.

Like a 30 year old boat, it might be worth owning but not worth buying.

It should be so cheap as to not hurt if it takes a crapper...