150 FICHT Questions

mkgrady

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I have a 2001 150 hp evenrude. The manual I have does not specify the plug part number or the plug gap. The engine came with Champion 955m XC12PEPB.

Is this the correct plug for the engine? What should the gap be? Someone told me the plugs have to be oriented in the right position. Is that true?

Sometimes after a few miles of running at cruising speed I get a check engine light and sonar alert. I just shut it off for a minute and start back up. It will often run another several miles before I get the alert again. Sometimes I can go a mile and more often I can go 20 miles without another alert. It is so random I don't know what to make of it.

The plugs seem to carbon up sooner than I'd expect. I have been sand blasting them and putting them back in. Is this worthwhile?

I have been using TCW-3 Evenrude oil since it was new. I was just told that I need to use Evenrude XD50. Is that true?

Thanks in advance for any responses. Mike
 

boobie

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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

First off NEVER sand blast the plugs. That went out with the Model "T" Ford. If you sand blast them some sand always remains in them and can eat your mtr. Yes you have to "index" the plugs meaning the open end of the plug has to face the injector. If not you will get plug fouling.. As far as your check engine lite you could have some high voltage in your system seeing your sonar also acted up. Check and clean ALL battery connections on both the battery and the mtr and see what happens. The plugs that you have sound right but I"m not 100 % sure. I'd say use the XD-50 oil and gap the plugs at .028 "
 

mkgrady

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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

First off NEVER sand blast the plugs. That went out with the Model "T" Ford. If you sand blast them some sand always remains in them and can eat your mtr. Yes you have to "index" the plugs meaning the open end of the plug has to face the injector. If not you will get plug fouling.. As far as your check engine lite you could have some high voltage in your system seeing your sonar also acted up. Check and clean ALL battery connections on both the battery and the mtr and see what happens. The plugs that you have sound right but I"m not 100 % sure. I'd say use the XD-50 oil and gap the plugs at .028 "

I found some instructions (here on this site) on how to index the plugs.

Don't know what you mean about my sonar. I assume that is a different thread. Sounds like you are saying a bad battery connection can cause cause a high volt condition. I would have thought it would cause a low volt condition???

Thanks for the response.
 

gradytom

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Jul 28, 2008
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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

xd50 and Seafoam or carbon guard to reduce carbon buildup.
Not sure what you mean by sonar alarm, if its an audible alarm from the instrument panel (check engine light related) I would check it to see what code it was giving.
Mine started giving intermittent check engine alarms but was running strong, sent the ECU to DFI Tech for a tuneup and all has been well.
 

boobie

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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

In MKGradys orginial post he said "check engine lite and sonar alert". My question then is what does "sonar alert" mean ?
 

mkgrady

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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

In MKGradys orginial post he said "check engine lite and sonar alert". My question then is what does "sonar alert" mean ?

My appolagies. My fault about the confusion. I forgot that I mentioned that the alarm is sounding with the engine light and that I referred to it as a sonar alert. I did not mean it was related to my depth sounder/finder (sonar). In my business (electrician) the noise is coming from what we call a sonar alert. Since it is not a horn or a bell I was calling it what I am used to.
 

mkgrady

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boobie

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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

Glad we got that straightened out. You still may have some high or low voltage in your system. If it is at all possible take it to an Evinrude dlr, have him put his lap top on it and see what kind of codes come up. With these new mtrs today it is almost impossible to work on them with out a computer. Hope this helps.
 

wilde1j

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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

Glad we got that straightened out. You still may have some high or low voltage in your system. If it is at all possible take it to an Evinrude dlr, have him put his lap top on it and see what kind of codes come up. With these new mtrs today it is almost impossible to work on them with out a computer. Hope this helps.
Agree^^^. If you want to do any fuel or ignition work on a Ficht or E-Tec, it is mandatory that you have the sw, an OEM shop manual AND the knowledge to work on these motors. They ain't your father's motors!
 

mkgrady

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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

Glad we got that straightened out. You still may have some high or low voltage in your system. If it is at all possible take it to an Evinrude dlr, have him put his lap top on it and see what kind of codes come up. With these new mtrs today it is almost impossible to work on them with out a computer. Hope this helps.

I'll take it to the dealer at the end of the season. Any time I take it there I loose 2-4 weeks of boating!

It sounds like once I put in new plugs, index them and start using XD50 oil and carbon guard I may stop getting the engine light/horn. In the mean time I will check my battery cables and battery selector switch.
 

mkgrady

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Jul 21, 2007
Messages
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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

Agree^^^. If you want to do any fuel or ignition work on a Ficht or E-Tec, it is mandatory that you have the sw, an OEM shop manual AND the knowledge to work on these motors. They ain't your father's motors!

I recently tried to buy a shop manual from Evenrude and they were not available. What is an SW? I don't have the knowledge either but I can't help but try some things. I have family in Ocean Pines so don't beat me up too bad!
 

jrs_diesel

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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

SW = software. The diagnostic software needed to talk to the engines ECM.
 

wilde1j

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Re: 150 FICHT Questions

I recently tried to buy a shop manual from Evenrude and they were not available. What is an SW? I don't have the knowledge either but I can't help but try some things. I have family in Ocean Pines so don't beat me up too bad!
Try Ebay for the manual. BRP claims to have documents back to model year 1997 and newer. Have you tried their customer service toll free number?
 
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