Repowered with ETEC

rcwass

New member
Just repowered my 1990 22ft Cruiser with a 2009 90HP Evinrude ETEC. Replacing the original 1990 70HP Johnson. What a HUGE difference. Ran super. Today was my first time out with it and I've traveled this distance with the old motor and used almost twice the gas. That old Johnson really liked gas. These ETEC's are great motors. No break-in.

My Brother-in-law just bought a boat with a new 115HP Yamaha on it. The Yamaha manual called for an hour run at 2000 RPM followed by and hour run at 3000 RPM and a service call after 10 hours. I think that's what he said.

It will be an interesting comparison.
 
Even though ETEC's say no break in is needed, As a former mechanic, I would advise you to keep the RPM's no higher than mid range for the first few runs so that your piston rings have a chance to seat in.

When I break a motor in I like to keep from having a constant throttle setting and keep the motor in its sweet spot as much as possible. On a car this is usually only for about 250 miles. On a boat probably about 15-20 hours. Now, this obviously isn't based in fact just experience from tearing motors apart and seeing the results of cars broken in this way vs those that were just driven without any thought to how they were broken in. I arrived at this scenario by talking/working with an "Old Timer" back in the '80s. In fact for the best break in I would also change the oil half way through the period and only used Non-Detergent oil during the break in.
 
the e-tec was made for not break in and one is not nessasary. Nice thing about 40 years or development, things change for the better, is just hard to re-train folks :wink:
 
Congrats on your new engine. I believe the 90Etec is the best overall choice for the CD22 when choosing a single engine application. It will be interesting to see how the new Honda 90 turns out in service. Mike.
 
Nice to see some other e-tec owners on the board. Looks like next week I will have my 200hp mounted.

There is a dedicated WEB site for e-tec owners that is just taking off. http://www.websitetoolbox.com/mb/barnaclebill
Pretty good forum, found this very neat tidbit
The V-4 and V-6 E-TEC engines have a separate battery charging system (isolator) for a 2nd battery.

All you need to do it install the accessory wiring kit (#5006253) from the engine to the 2nd battery and a common ground cable. That way you have two independent charging systems to keep both batteries charged at the same time, without having switch from one to another.
I like it

Anyone using the I Command gauges? Purchased two 3.5 inch displays and have added sensors for water pressure, fuel and oil tank level, fuel management, GPS, surface water temp, and SOW. May actually finish the install today and do the setup.

stevej
 
Steve,
I have the I Command Guages. Had to add a speedometer guage to get depth from the system. Did not need all the speedo stuff, but did need depth in the shallow waters of Florida.
 
The dealer fitted my 90 HP ETEC with a 13.5 x 15 prop to get a WOT of 4900 RPM. That's what I'm told. They started with a 13.5 x 17 prop but the RPM wasn't right.

Stevej, That link you gave me helped a lot. Thanks.
 
I am seeing one problem. I have a minor vibration at 1200 RPM. I'm told that this is a resonance between the outboard and the transom and it is common amongst some outboard brands and some boats depending on the transom construction and material. The vibration starts and stops as I pass through the 1200 RPM range which sounds like resonance. Smooth as silk at 2000 RPM and up.

My C-Dory is a 1990 22 foot cruiser.

Also, this motor is mounted so it's 1 hole higher then the older motor, not setting all the way on top of the transom. I had cavitation problems with the old motor operating in this HIGH current river going against the tide. I may have to lower this motor all the way.

Any comments!
 
Might look at a movable jack plate that will allow you easy flexibility to fine tune your hieght. That's the route I'm taking. I hope my transom is still strong.

Does anyone know where the most torque is exerted on the transom. Logic seems to be that it would be inward at the bottom of the mount and outward at the top. Would a big old aluminum backer plate help at all with these forces?

Chris
 
Question: Does anyone know where the most torque is exerted on the transom. Logic seems to be that it would be inward at the bottom of the mount and outward at the top.

I think you're right about this!

Question: Would a big old aluminum backer plate help at all with these forces?

Yes, but to rely on it (really two of them, one on the inside and another on the outside) too heavily would be a mistake, of course! I'd make them at least 10-12 inches wider and longer than the motor's clamp size, and out of at least 1/2" hardened aluminum alloy, like T-6061 or better, and certainly not soft ordinary aluminum.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I was told when specifying motors that it was characteristic of the E-Tec to rumble a bit at lower RPM (no smoke; just a slight shaking rumble typical of a 2-stroke) then smooth right out above about 2000 RPM. Sounds like your motor is just fine. I'm writing from sunny Kauai where the wind is blowing from the East, the seas ae slightly choppy, and all the small boats are cats. Mahalo, Mike.
 
I did notice a rise in RPM when I was out last. The rise was when I shifted to nuetral which I would think is normal. I'm putting the boat back in the water this week so I'll watch it closer. Only have 6 hours on it.

I went with the ETEC 90 because in 1990 the Cruiser Transom was rated for 90HP max.

I posted a thread on the ETEC Forum about the tappet sound I'm hearing and the response said it it normal and it's the fuel injectors. This sound isn't loud but I wasn't expecting it. I also mention a vibration at around 1200 RPM and the response was that it was a resonance between the motor and transom. The actual RPM may vary depending on the transom and material. A dealer in Australia puts teflon between the motor and transom to eliminate this and someone else told me they use a sheet on nylon.

This is a good motor and sips gas. MUCH better then my old Johnson.
 
Back
Top