DFI or carbureted?

[Mischief Managed]

If one were looking at a early 2000s-vintage 115 to 150 HP Johnson/Evinrude, and longevity, reliability, and low repair cost were a higher priority than fuel consumption, what would be the more desireable induction system?

I'm thinking the carbureted engine would be easier and cheaper to keep running for the next 10 years, but I have no knowledge at all about the DFI engines, other than they seem to have been replaced with Etec.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: DFI or carbureted?

Carbed only the DFI were FICHT, and troublesome.

 

[JB]

Re: DFI or carbureted?

On the other hand, there is some risk that a carbed 2 stroke will be banned from waters you wish to boat.

After BRP started making them the DFI V4s were pretty reliable and even the FICHT V4 engines didn't deserve the terrible reputation that the V6s earned.

Personally, I would agree with TD and go for carbs because they are shade tree servicable and the DFI/FICHT engines are not.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: DFI or carbureted?

The problem engines were the 60 degree OMC Fichts through 1999. Ficht reliability improved immensely when Bombardier took over in year 2000. Despite this dramatic change, it was not enough to save the bad reputation under the old OMC regime in the eyes of customers. The DFI units will get 33% better fuel economy than a carbed engine-if you put a lot of high rpm hours on a boat that can mean some significant savings during the life of the product. Having said that, there are not a lot of skilled Ficht mechanics around. The 60 degree carbed engines (Intruder style) were pretty much bulletproof.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: DFI or carbureted?

And the newer E-Tecs DI motors have been near bulletproof ...