Replies

• Billgran Posts: 350 Deckhand

  October 2015 #2

  If the ECU or EMM gets too hot internally on a FICHT engine, the CHECK ENGINE light comes on and the motor slows to 2500 rpm to protect itself, the same as if the motor overheated, had a voltage problem, or an oil pressure issue. An error code is stored into memory so a tech with a laptop (or a knowledgeable owner with the diagnostic software) would know exactly what had happened.
  
  Any experienced dealer is familiar with how the water flow is routed to the VST and the ECU or EMM. In the YouTube video, that is an early production engine that is basically a '99 ECU model and not the true 2000 model which had an EMM and a different routing of the cooling water.
  
  The only time the problem developed was if you ran aground or plowed through the shallows and picked up mud, sand, or shell.

  *****************************************
  
  
  "There is never just one thing wrong with a boat"
  --- Travis McGee
  
  
  ******************************************

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• Itch-2-Fish Posts: 446 Deckhand

  October 2015 #3

  Billgran wrote: »

  The only time the problem developed was if you ran aground or plowed through the shallows and picked up mud, sand, or shell.

  
  I was going to bite my tongue, but after reading another thread about possible EMM overheating... it's been well documented that Evinrude EMMs' cooling passages constantly clog, overheat and need reprogramming throughout their lifespan. Multiple times for many owners.
  
  I tried not to take your reply personal and tried to ignore it, but I don't make it a habit or running aground or plowing through the shallows. I doubt the other owners do the same. None of the other manufacturer's suffer from this on this scale. Maybe it should be air cooled. Or allow for larger water passages or a bypass.
  
  Let's call it for what it is - a bad design flaw and stop blaming the owners. The Ficht may be the most embattled outboard ever. This lack of ownership and responsibility is one of the main reasons I repowered with a Suzuki, or for that matter, anything but an Evinrude.

  German Shepherd Dogs rule! Adopt one today.

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• Billgran Posts: 350 Deckhand

  October 2015 #4

  It is debris causing the overheating, the same sand, mud, and shell that can get into the thermostats and pressure relief valves which cause engine block overheats.
  
  12 years ago Evinrude redesigned the VST for the E-TEC and changed the water cooling flow inside of them to reduce clogs.

  *****************************************
  
  
  "There is never just one thing wrong with a boat"
  --- Travis McGee
  
  
  ******************************************

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• JIMinPB Posts: 1,875 Captain

  February 2018 #5

  @Billgran said:
  It is debris causing the overheating, the same sand, mud, and shell that can get into the thermostats and pressure relief valves which cause engine block overheats.
  

  So then, would adding a screen or filer help the problem? Or increasing the size of the water passages that most often get clogged?

  There are plenty of days when the ocean water has random stuff floating around in it. You don't always need to hit the weed patches or sand bars to pick up debris.

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