'99 FICHT 200

[dxs217]

Engine ran great all day until...

1hr30min to sunset about a 2mi to the ramp on the intercoastal (nothing around) we stopped to throw in a line. Fished for about 30min then decided to head home. The engine started but sounded rough (vibration, some smoke). turned the engine off immediately. Did a visual check, found nothing. Tried to start again. Rough motor with "check eng" light, then alarm tone sounded and engine quit. Would not start after that. Had to hike through the woods to find way back to boat ramp. Good times, wife and pooch were thrilled... Anyway, had to leave boat overnight but got it back the next day due to help from first big boat we saw.

Anyone see this sort of thing before?

Details: Racor is rusty, could this clog the fuel line? When I turn the key on, I hear the fuel pump working but the primer bulb is not firm. Is this normal for a ficht?

After I got back, I mapped out every trip we have taken since filling the tank up (100gal). It was 178 nautical miles. The fuel gauge displays just under 1/2 full (approx 45gal) but I recently replaced the sender unit. I followed the installation directions verbatim. Is it possible that the gauge is reading incorrectly? If so, what are the consequences of running the tank dry?

Any help is appreciated. I hope I didn't ruin a perfectly good engine by running it out of fuel and relying solely on the gauge and not using a backup source of fuel accountability.

dxs

[seabob4]

dxs,
'99 Ficht.  OMC.  Do some research on THT.  I hope it's a fuel issue, and seeing as it has lasted this long, it should be alright.  Just saying, the OMC Ficht's had their problems...only what caused OMC to go bankrupt!

[Capt. Bob]

I'll play mechanic.

It sounds like a fuel problem to me. Why?
Check Engine light indicates fuel pressure loss in older OMCs, I'm guessing the same for your 99.
Biggest (but not all) problems with the Fichts were in the 150/175hp models but still.
Rusty fuel /water separator, shame on you! While rust on the outside doesn't necessarily indicate/cause clogging, it tells me it's way past its life expectancy. Changing fuel filters twice yearly may be anal but its cheap insurance these days.
Soft primer bulb.

It sounds like something is restricting the fuel. Hopefully it has not made its way into the injection system.

Good luck.

[dxs217]

Mechanic found blown fuse. Replaced fuse and engine ran rough (just like what happened on the water). Downloaded codes from EMM were strange and DFI suspects an overheated EMM. This same thing happened to computer 6 months ago when different mechanic found clogged cooling tube. I suspect the root cause is not the computer but why the cooling tubes are becoming blocked.

Anyone see this before?

[Double Trouble]

Mechanic found blown fuse. Replaced fuse and engine ran rough (just like what happened on the water). Downloaded codes from EMM were strange and DFI suspects an overheated EMM. This same thing happened to computer 6 months ago when different mechanic found clogged cooling tube. I suspect the root cause is not the computer but why the cooling tubes are becoming blocked.

Anyone see this before?

I had an overheat problem last spring cooling tubes were clogged cleaned them out all was well.Now I check them out every month.Cheaper than rebuilding the EMM.

[dxs217]

EMM overheated and got damaged. Caused motor to run rough and blow fuse. Overheating was due to faulty deflector valves which have been replaced. Now I'm told the engine runs too cool at Idle only. Above idle, good to go. Mech can't fix idle cooling problem w/o pulling powerhead again which means more $$$. He said the result of a cooler engine at idle (about 20degrees cooler than it should be) is minimal. Plugs will foul sooner than expected but should still last 70-80 hours...

$2000.0 repair. I should have been a boat mechanic...

[TheKid]

Question:

What was the problem with these FICHT motors?

Sounds like they came up with a fix, what was that?

Inquiring minds want to know?

[Capt. Bob]

The internet serves up as many opinions on this subject as Carter's got pills.

This will get you started....... sorta. :|

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... _61555469/

Google is your friend.
Search FICHT and go from there. More than you'll ever want to know.

[seabob4]

IIRC, one of the biggest problems was the lack of lubrication between the low-rpm stage, where the fuel/oil mixture is stratified (mist), and the higher rpm stage, where the fuel/oil mixture is homogeneous.  The transition point where the fuel pressures changed caused the cylinders to be starved of fuel/oil (lubrication).  A re-design of the piston skirts, as well as a re-design of the oil ports seemed to solve a lot of this problem, if not all...

That's what I was told from a BRP rep many moons ago.  One thing that stands out in my mind was the fact that OMC went bankrupt because of the faults and the warranty claims.  I was at Wellcraft at the time (had just left Hydra-Sports before the bankruptcy, thank god, and come back to WC/AS) when all us electrician/motor guys were called into a meeting, asking what it would take to convert all the pre-built OMC panels to either Merc or Yam...

Back in the good ole days...

[TheKid]

The internet serves up as many opinions on this subject as Carter's got pills.

This will get you started....... sorta. :|

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... _61555469/

Google is your friend.
Search FICHT and go from there. More than you'll ever want to know.

Of course I could Google and did.

I want your opinion CptBob!

Thanks SeaBob! That should tide me over.

There are a lot of these around for cheap. I don't mind wrenching as long as it results in a reliable machine.

Probably still pass on these but you never know what could come my way.

Thanks again.

[Capt. Bob]

I want your opinion CptBob!

Fortunately or otherwise, I've never own one or had any dealings with them so I would not be so cavalier as to offer an opinion based on internet musings. That stated...

From what I read and understand, there is a plethora of reasons as to the misfortune of the 150 and 175 (I believe those were the most trouble prone) and as such, my Port-o-let lawyer opinion is, I would not fool with one either.

Seems you are making a logical choice in your conclusion .

[seabob4]

The internet serves up as many opinions on this subject as Carter's got pills.

This will get you started....... sorta. :|

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... _61555469/

Google is your friend.
Search FICHT and go from there. More than you'll ever want to know.

Of course I could Google and did.

I want your opinion CptBob!

Thanks SeaBob! That should tide me over.

There are a lot of these around for cheap. I don't mind wrenching as long as it results in a reliable machine.

Probably still pass on these but you never know what could come my way.

Thanks again.

Wrenching probably won't solve a problematic ficht.  It's inherrant  in the design, no spinning wrenches will fix that...

It's been said, if they are trouble-free through the 1st 100 hours, they'll be fine.  That's what's been said...

[Double Trouble]

I have a pair of 2000 200HP Ficht engines with 687 hours,bought the boat 4 years ago used the engines as a bargaining chip and $6000 off the asking price.Ifigured on a repower if necessary so far the money is still earning for me so I cant complain.One thing about these engines they run like a Witch from a fire, are very good on fuel and run very clean.Except for one EMM all I have done is normal maint.    

[TheKid]

Thanks Bob^2 and Double Trouble.

and Double Trouble..curious, do the two FICHT's hanging on your transom have anything to do with your name  

[Double Trouble]

Thanks Bob^2 and Double Trouble.

and Double Trouble..curious, do the two FICHT's hanging on your transom have anything to do with your name  

Nope named after my twin grandchildren.