Spark plug issue

[dquack]

I have a 1999 90hp Evinrude (FICHT). The label on the outboard says to use NGK PZFR5F for the spark plugs. When I go through the evinrude website it tells me to use QL78YC Champion Spark Plug for the (*90 / 115 (60? LV)) motor. Currently there are Champion 7712 plugs in there now. I do have issues where some times after normal use I shut the engine down and it will not start right back up. We have to sit for 2-5 minutes and then it will catch and start right up. The plugs are dirty and I am not sure if this issue is being caused by having the wrong plugs in there or not. When I search for spark plugs through other websites I am pushed into the PZFR5F-11 plug. It seems the -11 has a .044 gap and the regular spark plug has a .032 gap. I am lost on which way to go with the plugs. I want to get the right plug in there and not something close. I believe another issue we might have had was the spark plugs were not indexed so maybe that had something to do with it. Not sure. Any advice or help would be appreciated.

 

[jakedaawg]

I am pretty sure there was a service update on that and the pugs were changed to the 7712. Contact your dealer to confirm. I find that plugs dont last long in the Ficht engine. They create starting and running difficulties.

 

[max62]

After doing some reading and before replacing the plugs on my 2001 Ficht Ram 135HP...

I found plenty of recommendations to gap the plugs to the smallest allowed distance. 0.032 or even 0.028.

Can't recall the exact reasoning. These engines produce multiple sparks per cycle. Also as these plugs erode, the gap widens anyways.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Jakedaawg is correct. Factory service bulletin #2360, dated 3/2000 says to use the 7712 plugs on that year V4.