Aquasport Model Rebuilds, Mods, Updates and Refreshes => Express Fisherman/ Walkaround/ Explorer Rebuilds => Explorer Rebuilds => Topic started by: ckumpel on September 18, 2017, 03:03:46 PM
Title: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on September 18, 2017, 03:03:46 PM
Just picked up a 99 215 explorer with 175 evinrude ficht. The whole boat has about 430 hours on it. Motor runs great considering it is a ficht. Did some work on the boat already.
Done to date: -clean, buff, wax -New vhf with antenna -New hds9 chartplotter and transducer -repaired the pitot tube speedometer -stainless gas tank vent -new vinyl upholstery -led hard top light -new parmax 4.0 washdown pump -new kenwood stereo and alpine speakers
plans include all new thruhulls, remove old decals, new rubrail, reupholster cuddy, new eisenglass
picture of it when I bought it
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on September 18, 2017, 03:08:54 PM
more pictures of the work and after it was cleaned and buffed.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on September 18, 2017, 03:09:32 PM
new upholstery
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: RickK on September 18, 2017, 08:06:13 PM
Looking really good :thumleft: Getting her ready for some blood. :8):
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on September 19, 2017, 11:40:01 AM
yes sir, had it out sunday and it ran well. All my gauges went out though, so I think I have a bad ground on them. Looking into it this week.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on September 19, 2017, 12:37:22 PM
Whjat year is the Ficht? I woudln't worry about it. If it has lasted this long you don't have anything to worry about. I personally would only run the Evinrude XD100 in it. At the Minimum the XD50. See if you can find a local dealer who sells it in bulk. I'd also run the Evinrude carbon guard in the fuel. Don't baby the Ficht.. don't idle it for long periods of time. They like to run and run hard. Running them hard will prevent carbon build up. Depending on the year chack and see if all the updates have been done to the motor.
Make sure the bolts securing the aft seat are sealed good. Better yet.. take them out... seal the core with epoxy... then reinstall with 5200 or 4000UV. If water can seep in thru those bolts you'll end up with a soft deck.
What kinda WOT RPMS and speed are you getting?
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on September 19, 2017, 01:00:59 PM
1999, I am running the xd50 and I found local dealer that has it in bulk. I am pretty sure xd50 has carbonguard as an additive. The update has been done. I planned on trolling with it, but then running the hell out of it after trolling. Planned to decarbonize it every 50 hours, probably twice a year. Good suggestion on that aft seat, I will remove the screws and seal with 5200.
Couldn't see WOT RPMS because the ground issue with the gauges but I will see next time I go out. I got about 36 mph on the gps at WOT, but was still figuring out the trim.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on September 19, 2017, 03:49:05 PM
Your gauge issues could be your keyswitch. I've had it happen to me where it can turn off just enough to turn off the gauges yet not enough to ground out the ignition and shut off the engine. Remember your gauges and accessory circuit are part of the engine harness.
BTW if you want a new instrument panel I can CNC cut you one. I made one for my buddies 215.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on September 19, 2017, 09:55:50 PM
Pretty sure that I'd exactly what it was, I checked them out tonight and they worked. I'm going to put all new heat shrink connectors on them anyway to ensure it. Also got the trim gauge working, the sender was crusted up so I had to free it up. Thanks for the help! How much for the dash panel?
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on September 19, 2017, 11:50:49 PM
Yeah the lever on the trim sender gets stuck over time. Just free it up with some penitrating spray and work the lever up and down. Then spray it with something like corrosion X now and then tobprotect it. (I spray my entire motor and powerheads with it)
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on September 20, 2017, 11:00:23 AM
I'll look into the corrosion x, thanks for the tip. Mind sending me a picture of the cnc' d gauge panel? Curious on how it came out and costs. Thank you!
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on September 20, 2017, 04:16:08 PM
here is a night time pic:
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on July 20, 2018, 11:11:24 AM
Cleaned up the boat quite a bit more. Installed a new fishbox pump and bilge float switch. New ignition switch which fixed the gauge issue. Put new lower motor mounts on, spark plugs, fuel filters, t stats. Then i had an issue out on the water and wound up putting a new lift pump on it. It runs good though. 5400 to 5500 rpms WOT. 37 mph.
Cosmetically, i fixed some rot in the bottom edge of the hard top by dremeling out the rot and filling with six10 epoxy. Then i painted the edge with some epoxycoat from pettit. I removed all the old teal decals and installed a new sapphire blue aquasport decal. Still need to do the boot stripe though.
Took my nephews out fluke fishing and caught a few shorts, no keepers.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: Capt. Bob on July 20, 2018, 01:28:36 PM
Looking good. :thumright: Don't be such a stranger.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: RickK on July 20, 2018, 04:32:32 PM
Looks good!! Nice Flounder - bet he'll remember that for a long time.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on July 21, 2018, 11:10:06 AM
You should be able to get 40mph out of her with that Ficht. My buddy has the 210 explorer with a carbed 175 and he can squeeze 40 out of her. We had to move his motor up one mounting hole.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on July 21, 2018, 07:46:20 PM
Ill have to take a look, would be nice to get a couple more mile per hour. I did find out this motor was rebuilt in 2002 and it appears to have all of the updates. A lot of parts on the fuel system appear to be from 2002 and say bombardier. The heads are pinned. So I think it will be a fairly reliable motor knock on wood
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on July 21, 2018, 11:33:10 PM
Motor should hold up just fine. Run good BRP XD50 or even better XD100 oil in it. The pins refer to longer deflector pins placed between the injectors and the spark plugs to prevent carbon build up. Speaking of carbon build up. Be sure to run the snot out of it now and then. Long periods of idle and low power rpms can cause carbon build up in any DFI motor. Running it hard burns it off.
If you have access to a gopro mount it on the stern of the boat. Say on a ladder or lifting eye where it has a good view of the anticavitation plate on your motor. Then go run it. You should be able to see the plate running on top of the water when your up on a plane.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on July 21, 2018, 11:37:17 PM
Found the video we took of my buddies 215 Explorer before we raised his engine up. You can clearly see the cavitation plate is buried under the water while on a plane.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on August 03, 2018, 07:16:48 PM
Thank you! I will check it out. Quick question, i am wanting to do a compression check. What is the best way to keep the ignition from energizing? I know i can ground the plug wires but that seems like a bit of a pain. Can i just disconnect the crank position sensor?
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on August 03, 2018, 09:43:14 PM
Unplugging the crank sensor is exactly how you do it.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on August 04, 2018, 06:40:09 AM
Awesome, thank you!
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on August 04, 2018, 08:28:17 AM
Look into getting the brp diagnostics software and cable. You can get it on ebay. I bought mine from a guy in Croatia or something like that. Very very handy to have.
Make sure you have regular nuts, not wing nuts on your battery terminals and that they are good and tight. Loose battery connections can damage the EMM. Also make sure your key is off, better yet the battery switch is off when unplugging and plugging back in sensors.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on August 04, 2018, 12:12:18 PM
Thank you. Planning on buying a diagnostics cable off ebay. I wanted to get a compression test out of the way first. Compression is good. Im having an issue where it wont rev past 4000 rpms. No check engine lights though. Im checking fuel pressure tomorrow morning because i think the high pressure fuel pump might be the culprit. If not, i will do an injector test once i get the cable. Thanks again for your help.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on August 04, 2018, 06:51:25 PM
I've seen a 250hp Etec that was running with a failed hp fuel pump. Crazy.
Does it just loose power and not go past 4k or is it like hitting a wall?
There is a fuel pressure regulator on the return line in the VST.
The software will allow you diagnose each cylinder for spark and injectors... really cool stuff.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on August 05, 2018, 07:36:05 AM
Its like it loses power. Then intermittently itll kinda pick it back up and act like its going to go then dies again to 4000.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on August 05, 2018, 11:51:44 AM
Any idea where i can hook up to for checking pressure on the high pressure fuel pump? This motor had the recall done where they removed the schrader valve on the return line. Also, do you know if the tank pickup has a strainer on it? I hope not because it looks like its impossible to get to.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on August 05, 2018, 07:06:16 PM
Thinking i can get a brass test tee in here, the top rubber line. Thats the feed off the pump to the fuel rail
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on August 06, 2018, 12:32:24 PM
Usually there was one on the outlet and return side of the high pressure pump where it attaches to the VST.
The boat fuel tank does no have a strainer on it.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on August 21, 2018, 10:01:07 PM
Finally did the fuel pump pressure test. 30 psi with turning the key and letting the pump run. Turns off and the pressure bleeds off through the vst. So it looks like thats working correctly. Im thinking possibly fuel line issue now
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on September 26, 2018, 09:46:35 AM
Ran diagnostics, no recent codes, temps all look good. all injectors fire off and all spark plugs fire off. I haven't done a drop cylinder test yet, but plan to do that next time I get it in the water.
I did also rebuild the steering cylinder and put new white rub rail in. Those aren't helping my motor woes but still fun to do.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on September 26, 2018, 11:31:05 AM
The diagnostic tests with the software are fun. There is two different ways you can do them. Running or not running. Not running you can go thru and test the injectors and listen to them click. Then with it running you can do a "drop test" on not only the ignition on each cylinder but each injector as well. Be sure to open up the window showing the tachometer so you can see the RPM drop. This will also let you see how accurate your tachometer is. Most of them are off a bit.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on September 26, 2018, 03:44:01 PM
can you do the drop cylinder test while running on muffs in the yard?
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: wingtime on September 27, 2018, 12:17:10 PM
can you do the drop cylinder test while running on muffs in the yard?
Absolutely can. Keep an eye on your temperature though. In particular the EMM temps when running on the muffs for long. I switched to the muffs with the Y-splitter that supplies water to BOTH sides. I would get an overheat alarm on my 250 Etec when running on the muffs with a cheap single sided muff. Turns out it was the EMM not getting enough water.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on April 06, 2019, 06:50:43 PM
Painted up the motor, made decals and slapped them on too. Need it to cure so i can do a couple touchups. New motor next year. I did all the diagnostics on the motor and cant find anything wrong. I changed plugs and wires. 2 plugs looked pretty nasty, possibly from when my low pressure fuel pump went out.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on April 29, 2019, 05:35:24 PM
Had a retired lady near us that does upholstery redo the cuddy cushions. I bought material, she charged 30 bucks a cushion.
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: ckumpel on April 26, 2020, 10:13:12 AM
So the motor lost cylinder last summer, which was a bummer. However, scored a new 2019 250 step with 7 years of warranty for a pretty good deal. Also, move the stereo up into the hard top, put new antennas on, added a point 1 gps, add nmea2000 network, just changed out all of my above water throughhulls to stainless, installed new brass splash well drain tubes, and i think that brings me up to speed. Adding a second bilge in the coming weeks, buffing/cleaning it, adding a new voltage gauge and then it goes in a slip. Will post pics
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: Capt. Bob on April 26, 2020, 10:51:08 AM
That hull should fly with that motor. :thumright:
Title: Re: New to me 215 Explorer
Post by: RickK on April 26, 2020, 01:05:25 PM
Add to your to do list - Add seat belts in those helm seats :laugh03:
Edit: Hard to believe that the 215 was rated at 300hp (so was every size above 215) - that must have been the biggest engine made that year.