Ok probably opening a can of worms here, but here it goes I am in the market for a new boat “carolina skiff” my current boat has a yami on it and abosolutely love it. With that said the skiff I found has an etec 60 H.P. just wanted to get some opinions from the etec owners out there and see how they like these motors. The one issue that is keeping me from making my purchase is that you have to run Evinrude oil which is pretty pricey, along with the direct oil injection. So bring on the good and bad and help with my decision.
They are awesome motors with minimal maintenance requirements, lots of power, less weight and they sip oil. I only use XD100 in mine and have left the setting on TC3 which causes it to use a bit more oil and it still uses very little oil. If you change the setting to XD100 it will use even less oil.
You can go to etecownersgroup.com and give them the serial number and get a history on the motor as well as read up on the pros and cons from a group of eTec owners. Like any site, the ones with problems log on the most so you can see the worst there is to know about the eTecs and some very knowledgable responses answering a ton of questions.
I repowered a 16 foot boat last year from a 70 HP Johnson to a 90 HP Etec and have been very happy with it. Noise and vibration are not as good as a four stroke, but very acceptable as I can hold a normal conversation with a buddy sitting next to me at 4000 rpm with the engine 3 ft behind us.
You can run any TCW3 oil, but need to have the engine set to run 50:1. However, Evinrude recommends using their (more expensive) oil. Specifically the XD50 oil for 50:1 or the XD100 if you want to have the engine set to run 100:1. I personally run XD50 because I do not want to go to 100:1 based on how I run the boat.
I would not let the cost of the oil deter you because you will not be using much of it. An Etec will have twice the fuel economy of a carbed 2-stroke. My average fuel economy running at 4000 rpm (about 24 kts) is over 6 mpg. An average day of fishing is about 3 gallons of gas. Less fuel means less oil.
The direct oil injection is nothing to be worried about as the pump is very reliable. Nothing like the old VRO diaphram pump problems.
Other pros of the Etec are:
The only regular maintenance on the power head is plugs. No belts, oil filters, timing adjustments, etc
You can pull start the engine and have it run even without a battery connected
The engine will fog itself for winterization (Never done it though as I use it all year round)
Cons:
Not many dealers carry the product in the area. I purchased mine from Cape Romain Marine.
The only other engine that I considered was the new F70 Yamaha because the weight was the same as the Johnson. I chose the Etec because rigging stayed the same and I wanted the 20 extra HP. No regrets at all.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
I have a 2009 E-tec 60 on my skiff. I had one issue with the motor just after I bought it used this past October that was fixed under warranty. I had no issue transferring the warranty from the old owner. Seel’s is an authorized service center and did a great job for me. The motor starts right up and is quiet and strong. It pushes my 18’ skiff to about 34 mph. I run the expensive oil on the low oil setting and haven’t gone through even a gallon yet (I fish at least once a week). There is tons of debate on the oil setting on the e-tec owners forum. I haven’t tried to estimate fuel usage but it is much better than my previous motor a 30 Hp Johnson 2-stroke (on a smaller skiff). I also own a Yamaha 150 that has almost 3000 hours on it so I can’t complain much about Yamaha either. All of the modern engines are pretty good and with nearby service centers I wouldn’t worry too much about your decision.
Boat Shed in Georgetown provides excellent service for the eTecs.
My 130 etec is very quiet and just sips oil. For a flats boat that you want to have a shallow draft I think the etec is the only way to go. The lighter the better. For an offshore CC then a 4 stroke is fine.
I plan on living forever, so far so good
Egret 167, Etec 130
Wood Driftboat
Don’t believe all the BS the engine manufacturers spew about buying their oil. You can use any TCW3 rated oil. For many years I have run West Marine and even Wal-Mart oil in my 2 stroke outboards. I had a 86 Merc 75 HP which I only ran the less expensive oils in for the life if the motor, I am still running that motor, it runs great, has maintained near stock compression and has NEVER been overhauled. I can remember the saleman’s voice still in in my head telling me I must always use Merc oil or it would void the warranty and decrease the engine life. Of course, neither was true. I am a mechanical engineer who has studied lubricants for many years and have much work and personal experience with them. Do not listen to the manufacturers hype, the oils with their names on the front of the bottle allows s a VERY high profit margin for them to be levied unto the uninformed. A few years ago I visited a Texaco oil refining and bottling plant, they bottled both OMC and Wal-Mart 2 stoke oils - it all came out the same pipes. The Wal-Mart was just less expensive in the store - but it was the SAME oil!!!
Just my 2 cents.
A Yammy HPDI, Mercury Optimax, and an Evinrude Etec are completely different animals than an '85 Merc 75. They will all run on TCW3, but wouldn’t want to run the engine on the oil that the manufacturer uses in all of its durability tests? All of of the DFI oils are semi or full synthetic oils specifically formulated for these engines. The engines do run noticeably cleaner with these oils. You may be able to compare them to other DFI formulated oils that are marketed, but TCW3 oils.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
Yes hairball, you are correct there is a world of difference between synthetic and dinosaur oil. However that Etec will run just fine on any TWC3 rated oil. Unless you just have money to burn don’t waste your money on the OEM oil. Also, I have had several and currently own two 4 stroke outboards, I use Mobil 1 synthetic and have since 2001. I have never had one oil related problem with any of them, and I am a frequent boater and fisherman. Mobil 1 does not market their oil toward outboard use, but their oil additive package is actually better than many of the 4 stroke outboard marketed oils, at a cheaper cost. The number one thing to make sure of with oil and engines is using the correct weight, and assuring the engine is receiving the oil in the proper amount.
well i’m no expert but my Yamaha 70 HP 2 stroke sips oil. I bought the yamaha oil for the engine and I have refilled my 12 gallon tank twice on my flats boat since I have bought it and i still have half of oil left in my reservoir. So with my calculations, I used my boat about 2-3 times a week running about 5-10 miles to my spots so with all that I think I filled my gas tank every 3 weeks or so. I gonna say that paying for the Yamalube recommended by Yamaha for my engine every 4-6 months is not going to bankrupt me. The Boat mechanic told me this " would you rather save 5-10 bucks on engine oil or pay $5,000-7,000 for a new motor" I saw his point. I’m a new boat owner so I’m gonna take the mechanic’s advice and I always run stabil and ring free with every fill up.
yo
I know someone on this forum was bound to have read the 4-stroke engine oil test published in the March '04 issue of Trailer Boats Magazine. Yamalube actually had one of the lowest ratings. Mobil 1 was first or second and West Marine brand Sierra got a better rating than Yamalube. I know this was awhile ago, so unless Yamaha has improved their oil, it probably isnt the best choice still today. Marketing, hype and fear persuades a lot of people to make choices that may not be the best alternative. Information gleaned from tests and scientific research is ALWAYS better than something written by a manufacturer to sell their product or something displayed in a glossy add in a magazine. However, if a motor is under warranty - then use the OEM brand to avoid a spat with the dealer if that new motor you just paid too much for takes a dive. Out of warranty - then do what you think is best - oftentimes there will be a better and less expensive alternative.
Love my 250 2011 E tec! Use 87 octane ethonol gas and walmart tcw3 have over 200 hrs and no problem I have a freind with a yam 200 4 stroke and he uses more fuel and is louder than my Etec! Hope to re power another boat with a 90 hp E tec next year! Have run 68 miles on 18 gal at 4000, Could not do that with my 225 merc!
quote:
Originally posted by prayot2001The Boat mechanic told me this " would you rather save 5-10 bucks on engine oil or pay $5,000-7,000 for a new motor" I saw his point. I’m a new boat owner so I’m gonna take the mechanic’s advice and I always run stabil and ring free with every fill up.
yo
Lubrication is everything. I rebuild diesel engines for Volvo and I can tell you using quality oil with good oil filters and frequent changes will drastically prolong all the friction surfaces lubricated or cooled with oil. It is very apparent when looking at any roller cam if the oil has been changed infrequently.
I personally use the high dollar XD-100 oil in my Evinrude. Some will say I am wasting money but I can tell its worth it. Let’s just say you suck some junk in your impeller and have a cooling issue. The engine heats up and it needs that added film strength more than ever. These engines are way too expensive to skimp on this stuff. All TCW3 oils are way better than what oil was 10 years ago but I do enjoy the peace of mind I get knowing I am running the best available at the moment.
I know for a fact Volvo oil is relabeled Chevron Delo. It is twice as much when you go and buy it at the dealer as Volvo oil. I have no doubt Mobil 1 is right on par or exceeds Yamaha oil.
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude
so what Mobil 1 oil to get? Read from other sites that other oils will make more smoke and you’ll have to clean your carbs from the build up. I might try and experiment on my own and see any difference.
yo
Etec all the way, 750 hours and counting on a pair of 200’s. Etec xd100 oil and nothing less, tcw3 is trash oil in DI 2 strokes. If you want to save money buy toilet paper in bulk from sams club, dont buy ghetto oil for your Direct injection outboard.
Well I didn’t mean to start a Hatfield and McCoy feud here but was just looking for some honest opinions and as I figured its 6 one way 1/2 dozen the other. With that said I purchased a skiff with a yammi on it I decided against the etec. (NOT Putting down my evinrude Brothers) but I have been happy with my other Yammi. So thanks with all the replies and information and sorry I wasnt able to reply to them sooner but I was on the road picking up the new ride. Thanks and tight lines to all.