E tec 90 hp reviews.

[boomhauer]

Considering repowering with E tec 90 to replace 1988 yammie 115. Trying to save weight. Any good/bad reports on E tec?

[silverking]

I've been running a large block E-TEC for a few years now and have been happy with it. Good mileage, low oil consumption and a very strong hole shot. Light weight as well compared to a four-stroke counterpart.

The 90 hp is a very strong engine. A buddy of mine in Keaton Beach has one on a Dolphin 17 Pro. It pushes that boat along in the upper 30s. Sips the oil. What is the make and model of your boat?

The 115 is the same block as the 90, I believe. Shields Marina in St. Marks is a the local dealer. Evinrude is probably running a sale now, too (maybe with extended warranty, etc.). Ask for Brett Shields at 850-925-6158.

[silverking]

The 90 is 3 cylinder in-line, while the 115 is a V4.

The 20-inch shafts on both weigh 320 pounds for the 90 and 375 for the 115.

Evinrude spring sales event ends Friday 4/15. Re-power customers get a 5 year extended warranty and up to $800 in rigging parts, per the Evinrude site.

[big bend gyrene]

Silverking speaks the truth (not that his speaking the truth was ever in question! )...

I've had a 90 on my 22' Panga Marquesa since 2005 and my Panga isn't bare-boned (has a heavy-duty t-top, trim tabs, jack plate, deep coffin box, etc...). With as many as 3 guys on board she's dependable on pushing the mid-30s. Absolutely sips both gas and oil.

Light weight on the jack plate allows me to fish grass lines and oyster bars and still make a hull shot without the need for deep water.

Only complaint I have is one I think I would run into with most other manufactured engines out today... seems like I overheat a few times each summer trip due to grass getting on my intakes. I can actually hear the motor change pitch most of the time before it heats enough to alarm, but still aggravating because I have to slow down, monkey the wheel back and forth to try and sweep the grass clean, or if really problematic reverse and kick the grass off the intakes.

Buddy with a yammy has the same issue, so again don't know if it's fair to criticize the e-tec design or if I should be cursing the grass... wait one... that's the same grass that hosts so much life so nevermind the cursing!

[silverking]

Silverking speaks the truth (not that his speaking the truth was ever in question! )...

Thanks for clearing that up, BBG. I am a fisherman, however...

[littlejohn]

Can't talk about the 90, but I have been running a 150 for the last 5 years and love it. The best motor I have ever had. No problems and very good on gas and oil.

You can have the dealer set the motor up to run on either of to oils. one is basiclly like all other two cycle oils and the other is make for e-tecs. One cheap one pricy. The motor set up for and running e-tec oil uses a lot less oil than if you run the other, so price wise you come out about the same.

Good depenable motor.

[big bend gyrene]

Silverking speaks the truth (not that his speaking the truth was ever in question! )...

Thanks for clearing that up, BBG. I am a fisherman, however...

Let me clarify -- not that his speaking the truth specifically about the e-tec 90 was ever in question!

[Steve Stinson]

BBG - If you are hearing a change in the pitch of your motor when it overheats, you should have your alarm checked. The reason the pitch is changing is because the motor has heated up enough to change the factory specified clearance between the cylinder walls and pistons. (NOT a good thing.)

Based on my past experience with aluminum blocked boat and hot rod motors, once the pitch of the motor changes, the damage is already underway.

- Steve Stinson

[boomhauer]

Thanks guys... great input. Sounds like a great motor. What does a new one run these days?

[big bend gyrene]

BBG - If you are hearing a change in the pitch of your motor when it overheats, you should have your alarm checked. The reason the pitch is changing is because the motor has heated up enough to change the factory specified clearance between the cylinder walls and pistons. (NOT a good thing.)

Based on my past experience with aluminum blocked boat and hot rod motors, once the pitch of the motor changes, the damage is already underway.

- Steve Stinson

Steve, I hear the change well before she overheats. If I don't stop and kick the grass free she'll overheat and alarm. The alarm works like a charm and it'll have a bit of steam being generated when it alarms/overheats. If I run through a patch of thick grass and even a few blades cover the inputs I can just hear an ever-so-slight pitch change immediately and if I instantly stop and clear the inputs by reversing there's not the least bit of steam, no alarm, or any other evidence of overheating. Should add not a new development, this has been true since day 1 running it in 2005 and again, still running like a top other than when I plow through too-thick grass lines (and no, I'm not doing it intentionally -- try avoiding hitting thick ones as much as possible but some days it's just too thick).

BBG

[Steve Stinson]

10-4. I though you were getting it too hot, but evidently you got it under control. I am running a 60 hp Merc Jet foot, which sucks up floating grass like a giant vacuum cleaner. Other than mid to late Summer, I don't have a lot of problems with it though.

[seatrout99]

My ETEC 90 blew up with 120 hours on it. Stopped oiling and cooked the powerhead. Alarm never sounded. Found a new v4 carbed 90 from Brett down at Shields and went back to old technology.

Have run ETEC 200 HOs on the ST boat with good results. Got 1200+ hours on them and still going strong.