Ficht is running like a swiss watch-NOW

[Van]

Been having some issues with the ficht 175, shaking and stalling at low idle(trolling).
Talked to the service guys and they agree, change the fuel/water separator and the spark plugs.

So I did both today and found the plugs were in pretty bad condition. I did replace mid last season, but these were shot......

So 6 plugs at the price in the pic .....do the math.....I gotta find another source......72 bucks plus tax.......geeeeeezzzzzzzz.

But shes running smooth and strong.......a solid 40MPH......

[Bigcat]

Sparkplug.com or rockauto.com about $5.00 a plug.

[Van]

Thanks, i did a FROOGLE search and did find some alot cheaper. 5 bucks is real good price.

I'm gonna stock up...

[beamie]

Van,

I not an outboard guy but when I overhear guys talking don't they make an anti carbon spray stuff that your supposed to spray into the intake every so many hours to get all that crap out. I remember Abba telling me about this a year or 2 ago when he got his Bombardier which I thought was one with the ficth system, could be wrong?

[macojoe]

I use Carbon Gaurd, every other tank or when I remember, Works great! Mixes right in the gas tank.

[Bigcat]

I have used nothing but ficht oil,added carbon guard 1 oz to every 8 gallons of gas, decarbod every 100 hours, and the freakin thing still blew up.

[Van]

I've never decarbed during the season, just with the engine tuner at winter storage time. The engine runs great (unless plugs are shot) so i don't think i will start something different.

Yes i have the bombardier ficht, I will talk to ABBA about it, i see him pretty regularly.

V.

[Mr. Sandman]

run them until they blow up then buy another and repeat....the misson statement of outboarders everywhere.

[Fly Rod]

Get my plugs for my Ficht at NAPA auto supply for$5.30 each!!!! Order today and pickup at eight o clock the next morning!!!!!

Beats paying 72 bucks at the Evinrude dealer!!!!

[likwid]

sounds like you're running heavy on the oil (2 stroke i presume)
check your mix

[Van]

Originally Posted by likwid

sounds like you're running heavy on the oil (2 stroke i presume)
check your mix

Computer controlled and injected, so there is no adjustment to make.
I can check comsumption, but so far I think its right on..I'll make sure though.

Thanks Guys,
I'm gonna order two sets (rockauto $4.05) so I always have a set ready to go.

The other issue is I have to install the plugs with the ground strap facing away from the injector (180 degrees). Its like musical chairs with spark plugs to get it right.. A major PIA and they don't all quite line up perfectly....

[Mr. Sandman]

Van,

Don't those plugs have to be "indexed"? That is, the gap must be facing a certain direction on each cyl. On mine you needed to take a felt pen and mark on the white part of the plug were the gap was, then when you tightened them up you needed to make sure the index mark you made was in a certain sector of the head and the torque was within range...if not you had to back it out and put in another plug and try that. Once you got them all right it did make a big difference. I bet there is something like that on yours too.

[zacs]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

Don't those plugs have to be "indexed"? That is, the gap must be facing a certain direction on each cyl. On mine you needed to take a felt pen and mark on the white part of the plug were the gap was.....

BTW- WHAT A PAIN IN THE A--THAT IS. Took me 8 plugs to change 6...


And like others said, I found these plugs for $5/ea at sparkplugs.com. Way better than the $25/ea @ west marine.

Hey Jim, to totally hijack, how fast were you using oil on those bad boys?

Thnx.

Zac\

[Mr. Sandman]

OT, ZAC, I would go thru a few cases of oil each season. (for two motors) I can't recall exactly how much it drank per gallon of fuel. I do remember they both consumed about the same amount though. If you run hard it will drink a lot more oil...If you spend a lot of time trolling it doesn't drink much at all I found. That ficht oil is pretty costly too....My advice is wait till Feb when there is a big sale and buy a seasons worth.

[Van]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

Van,

Don't those plugs have to be "indexed"? something like that on yours too.

Yea thats what I meant. it is a real PIA. SOme ended up about 90 deg. away from the proper spot, but its running fine.

Gonna order new plugs soon.

[Hooper]

Van-

Until these plugs became available everywhere I too was getting raped at my dealer, like $8 - $9 a plug, gimme a break.

At Rock Auto, bought two sets of plugs for less than it would have cost for one set last season. That is my one bitch with the new 'Rude.... they fry plugs like nobody's business....

[likwid]

The sparkplugs the boat stores sell are a ripoff, just crossreference to Champions or Bosch.

[Fly Rod]

My 2003 225hp plugs have to be changed every 50-60hrs. My motor starts on the 1st click of the key till I have about 40-45hrs. on the plugs, then after that 2-3 clicks of the key!!!!

I gap my plugs at .30 and have noticed that when I change them, the gap has exspanded to about .60 gap and that is the cause of the motor taking 3-5 clicks to start!!!!

I'm going to decarb the motor tomorrow using "DEEP CREEP" Sea Foam!!!!

[Fly Rod]

Originally Posted by Bigcat

I have used nothing but ficht oil,added carbon guard 1 oz to every 8 gallons of gas, decarbod every 100 hours, and the freakin thing still blew up.

What year motor???

I know from experience how easy it was to have a Ficht blow!!! Had two powerheads blow on the 2000 year model!!! When still owned by Johny/rude the 1999-2001 had some serious issues with quality control!!!! Hopefully since Bombardier took over the problems were resolved!!!!

Blown powerheads are not always caused by carbon build up!!! One reason could be that it was running lean, not enough oil!!!!

A good mechanic can tell what the cause was by looking at the piston!!!

If anybody is interested click on iboats.com and go to the outboard section of evinrude/ johnson for those of us back yard mechanics!!!!!