1998 Johnson 200 FICHT?

[wingtime]

Hello,  I came across a really clean 1998 200hp Johnson oceanrunner at a reasonable price.  It is a model#J175FCXECS I believe this is a FICHT motor.  I have heard these had some issues.  Is this something I should steer clear of?  Or are the problems hyped up?

[wingtime]

[seabob4]

If she has lasted this long, she's probably good.  She may have had the mods performed on her to bring her up to BRP specs.  Most original Fichts die an early age...

[wingtime]

If she has lasted this long, she's probably good.  She may have had the mods performed on her to bring her up to BRP specs.  Most original Fichts die an early age...

That is what I was thinking.  The seller said he would set it up so I can see it run.  Any idea what the compression should run on these?

[seabob4]

Should be around 120.

[slippery73]

Make sure compression is even between cylinders, shouldn't deviate more than 10lbs.

[wingtime]

I've never done a compression check on a fuel injected motor.  I want to make sure I don't fry the electronics.  Should I just crank it by using a remote start switch connected to the solenoid and leave the ignition off?

[love2fish]

Looking at a 97 Johnson FICHT 150- current owner says he's never run it but that it does run, the previous owner said the injectors were going bad... going to look at it tomorrow. Googled injectors and found prices anywhere from 99-350
I dont know anything about these engines... Avoid or worth checking out?

[fitz73222]

Probably the most important item is find out if the factory still supports the critical parts needed to keep her running. Go on to a parts Wedsite; Ishop marine, funtime boats, local dealer and scroll through fuel system; ignition components, seals etc and look for N/A on critical parts. Your prospect is the last of the OMC produced engines and BRP may no longer support it from a parts standpoint. Many engines of 90's are not supported any longer by the OEM's with exceptions of course. If this engine has extremely low hours it may have not had the chance to fail as many others did. Go into this purchase well educated with history of this design. The conclusion made that the "injectors are going bad" may be the tip of the iceburg. This was a complex engine for its time and they had design issues. This is not your grandpa's "Johnson" that can be fixed with a good set of hand tools. Compression check with the throttle butterflies wide open, crank with a remote starter switch, ignition off, try to establish compression on each cylinder with four compression strokes. This will give a true reading of what each cylinder can deliver. Many people just crank the engine until the gage stops climbing and that tells you nothing about the health of the rings and bores. If you can buy it cheap; go for it... But be ready to get into this engine with eyes wide open.

[love2fish]

GREAT info and I appriciate your info Fitz! My engine experience consists of my older Johnson VRO  and whatever car/truck I've had.  Seems like the 97-99 Johnson FICHT's are kind of "work in progress" before Bombardier figured out the bugs. Basically something to avoid.
Thanks!

[Capt. Bob]

Hello,  I came across a really clean 1998 200hp Johnson oceanrunner at a reasonable price.  It is a model#J175FCXECS I believe this is a FICHT motor.  I have heard these had some issues.  Is this something I should steer clear of?  

Is this not a 175 HP motor?

Search 175 Ficht outboard for opinions. Google is your friend.
They were the model (along with the 150) that appears to be most problematic.
I never owned one. Only read about them.

[MarshMarlowe196]

my $0.02-

Only the powers that be know whether this engine will last or fail on you, and you'll probably always worry about it throughout your ownership and operation of the engine.  I had a 150 FICHT sitting in my garage that was running with next to no hours that would have been a nice setup on my boat, and it was FREE.  I opted to spend thousands of dollars on a new Suzuki instead for peace of mind.

I had to almost give away my FICHT engine.

[Capt. Bob]

my $0.02-
I had to almost give away my FICHT engine.

Could have traded it for a used GPS.

No tellin' which way the Karma would have flowed on that one. :o

[MarshMarlowe196]

I think the Karma would have stopped dead in the water, right when that engine might've (already did once before).  Besides, 150HP would have been anemic on your rig(s), unless you just wanted an unreliable kicker  

[wingtime]

Yeah this is a way old thread.  Good info for others to read though.  I ended up getting a sweet 200 Merc 2.5L and I love it.  Turns out this motor was the counter rotating motor of a pair and it's standard rotation mate blew up.  And yes it was a 175 HP not a 200HP so the guy didn't even really know what he had.  I think he bought the boat knowing it had a bad motor and he had a pair of his own motors he was going to replace them with.  He called me a week or so later and said he had it on a stand and running so I could come look at it.  Of course by then I had already bought the Mercury.   I think if one was to buy one of these bombs I hope they get it cheap enough to gamble on it failing.  Until then they can enjoy a economical motor.