etec 90 proplem...please help

winegums · 03 September 2011, 11:06

hi ... i have an evenrude etec 90...and its started to play up...

a few weeks ago (and now again)...after running for an hour or two...i came off the throttle to map a wreck...but when i started to push the throttle forwards..the engine refused to pick up..and just juddered and would not rev....it was like this for about 10 mins before clearing itself..and i headed in...i called the etec engineer and he could not find a fault logged...and said it was airlock in the fuel system..
ok

so i ran her again...it was ok....but yesterday the fault returned big style...after 2 hours running the ob done the same thing..bulked and would not running or rev out...and smoked a little...it sounded like it was running on two cylinders...so i headed in..at only 5 knots as it would not rev ..i dont know wether it ran back in safe mode or on its fault...
now...what problem could it be..and will it have logged a fault if it was not running in safe mode....andy

kerny · 03 September 2011, 11:09

I'm sure P.D. will be along shortly on this one.

kerny · 03 September 2011, 11:45

You will get some good info and help off this website.

Owners Message Board

BogMonster · 03 September 2011, 11:58

Yep agree ^^^ Etec owners group is the place to ask, there is some serious knowledge on there.

GJ0KYZ · 03 September 2011, 12:48

I am having exactly the same problem with my 225 ETec; it's going into the engineers on Monday.

winegums · 03 September 2011, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

I am having exactly the same problem with my 225 ETec; it's going into the engineers on Monday.

have you an ickling to what it can be..?

an electric prob rather than mechanical..?

GJ0KYZ · 03 September 2011, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by winegums

have you an ickling to what it can be..?

an electric prob rather than mechanical..?

It may be a plug problem (here's hoping, that would be the cheapest to fix) but it may also be a faulty coil or injector. When it sounded like it was running on five rather that six cylinders it was burning much more fuel than normal - 85l per hour at 35kts rather that 64l per hour at 44kts as usual.

Pikey Dave · 03 September 2011, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

I'm sure P.D. will be along shortly on this one.

What do I know? Without anymore details, it does sound like it's in SAFE mode. But then it would throw a code. Failing that it could be allsorts. Possibly the neutral switch sticking.

ee lad, tha can't educate pork

winegums · 03 September 2011, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

What do I know? Without anymore details, it does sound like it's in SAFE mode. But then it would throw a code. Failing that it could be allsorts. Possibly the neutral switch sticking.

ee lad, tha can't educate pork

the fuel tank was venting, it seems to happen when the engine is at running temp...and juddered when running..evening in the safe mode..?...no warning lights or buzzers sounded...

Pikey Dave · 03 September 2011, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by winegums

the fuel tank was venting, it seems to happen when the engine is at running temp...and juddered when running..evening in the safe mode..?...no warning lights or buzzers sounded...

Not quite sure what you mean with "the fuel tank was venting"

I prefer my evenings in the pub

winegums · 03 September 2011, 15:16

the fuel tank air vent was open ..not shut so it could not draw fuel...
everything was ok before i set out...then it would not run..it started up ok when turned off..but would not rev or run past 5-6 knots...push the trottle lever forward and nothing...it would run like its on two cylinders..i dont know what safe mode runs like ...the last time it did it the mechanic,..an evenrude guy said it showed no faults on the system...so i assume it did not run in safe mode last time before it cleared itself..this time it did not clear itself and run like it all the way home from 8 miles out..in a lumping sea

Chris · 03 September 2011, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by winegums

the fuel tank air vent was open ..not shut so it could not draw fuel...
everything was ok before i set out...then it would not run..it started up ok when turned off..but would not rev or run past 5-6 knots...push the trottle lever forward and nothing...it would run like its on two cylinders..i dont know what safe mode runs like ...the last time it did it the mechanic,..an evenrude guy said it showed no faults on the system...so i assume it did not run in safe mode last time before it cleared itself..this time it did not clear itself and run like it all the way home from 8 miles out..in a lumping sea

THere are a number of things it could be.

If it were me first would be check the plugs (dont forget to index them when you put them back and make sure you put the same ones back in the same holes to allow you to do this)

After that then you need someone with laptop software to do tests on the fuel injectors and the ignitions coils.

outboardtech · 04 September 2011, 10:07

Hi, If I were you I would get a tech with the diagnostics to check it out. These engines and all ETECS frequently require software updates to improve starting, fuel, ignition and timing issues. If your engine hasnt got the correct map installed into it , this can cause headaches for the DIY mechanic. Also I have had alot of injector issues on these engines and It wouldnt suprise me if an injector has gone down. Anyway a tech with all the correct diagnostic equipment should pinpoint this down straight away.If i can be of any help let me know.Barry
Winsor Marine Services

winegums · 04 September 2011, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by outboardtech

Hi, If I were you I would get a tech with the diagnostics to check it out. These engines and all ETECS frequently require software updates to improve starting, fuel, ignition and timing issues. If your engine hasnt got the correct map installed into it , this can cause headaches for the DIY mechanic. Also I have had alot of injector issues on these engines and It wouldnt suprise me if an injector has gone down. Anyway a tech with all the correct diagnostic equipment should pinpoint this down straight away.If i can be of any help let me know.Barry
Winsor Marine Services

hi... many thaks..what baffles me is the fact this has happened again...after the service chap..with his diagnostics...said no faults were logged..so its running ok..propley air...now its done it again..and if no faults are logged..what then..?

if he cannot see a fault then..its back to square one....if i warm it up on the berth.it wont get hot enough to do it ...and he wont run out to sea for an hour...in case it breaks down totally..

Chris · 04 September 2011, 11:27

Its not just about checking for fault codes. Not all problems will throw up a fault code which is why the software allows the Tech to perform a number of Static and Dynamic tests....

Sounds like you need to find a new mechanic TBH.

kwil · 04 September 2011, 11:56

Etecs are not meant to rev above 1800-2000 revs in nuetral, if you try they run very rough and uneven, as you are getting no error/fault codes my guess is that the engine thinks it is in nuetral. I am not familiar with the 90 so do not know which sensors it uses for this but the neutral switch in the shift control would be a good place to start. As I think PD has already mentioned.

Keith

Chris · 04 September 2011, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwil

my guess is that the engine thinks it is in nuetral.Keith

YES ! I remember reading about this elsewhere, the neutral switch on the engine can fail, you need to find the switch and bypass it to see if this is the problem...

This would give you the exact problem you are experiencing and would also explin the initial intermittent nature of the problem...

If it is this its an easy fix..

winegums · 04 September 2011, 19:12

so the neutral switch is on the outboard and not in the leverbox..?

Chris · 04 September 2011, 19:16

Certainly the 40,50 & 60 have them and I think they are on the engine...

Not 100% sure on the 90 however...

winegums · 04 September 2011, 19:30

ok thanks.....are they easy to change on the models you mention