ContinuousWave   Whaler   Moderated Discussion Areas   ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods   Ficht Won't Run    search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author	Topic:   Ficht Won't Run
jcdawg83	posted 05-11-2013 04:38 PM ET (US)      I have a 1999 Evinrude 90-HP Ficht that I tried to take out today. I pumped the [primer] bulb in the fuel line and noticed it felt sort of odd, like there was something in the middle of the bulb. The motor started, ran for about 20-seconds, then cut off, started again, ran for about 15-20 seconds, and cut off again. I pumped the [primer] bulb again and the engine ran for maybe a minute and a half and cut off. Fuel [primer] bulb feels like it is not really getting good pressure and, now, won't really pump up. I'm not getting any fuel leaking out of the cowling and I have made sure the tank is vented to avoid creating suction. Could this be as simple as a bad bulb in the fuel line? Motor ran great a couple of months ago. I don't use any ethanol fuel, so I don't think it would be the fuel line.
EaglesPDX	posted 05-11-2013 05:10 PM ET (US)          Cheap to change the bulb and find out.
Peter	posted 05-11-2013 07:01 PM ET (US)             Make sure the arrows on the bulb are pointing up when you are squeezing it. If it is an after market (not OEM) bulb, chances are it needs replacement. The after market bulbs aren't worth buying.
pcrussell50	posted 05-11-2013 08:34 PM ET (US)             FIL has a great running 2000 FICHT 225hp. But it was not great running at all when he bought it. It would run for a while, then die, and either not start at all again, or only after a long wait. For that reason, he got it for super cheap. Turned out the ECU is water cooled and some part of the cooling water circuit was blocked or partially blocked. He and hIs buddy, a professional marine mechanic chased it for a while, then figured it out and it has run flawlessly ever since. That was about 3 years ago. I've been out with them fishing in the Sea of Cortez... all day trips, hours and hours of trolling in warm water, 30-50 miles from shore and not a single hiccup trolling the FICHT or motoring in and out. Caught lots of dorado and my first ever marlin too. I suspect that FICHTs are great motors with a bad reputation, and thus a good on the used market. I vaguely remember reading somewhere else, maybe here, that the ECU water cooling system in FICHTs is prone to getting clogged and that it pays to make sure it's not. -Peter
jcdawg83	posted 05-12-2013 11:26 AM ET (US)          PC Russell; I think you may have hit on the problem. I fished a wire up the P tube this morning and cleared out some debris. The motor started and ran fine after that. I haven't had a chance to run the motor in regular use, but it idled and fast idled perfectly. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks.
contender	posted 05-12-2013 11:36 AM ET (US)             Dawg, Listen to Peter Never, Never used an aftermarket Fuel Bulb or Water Pump, they are crap and do not last.
jimh	posted 05-13-2013 09:18 AM ET (US)             What is the "P tube"?
Powergroove803	posted 05-14-2013 12:24 PM ET (US)             Thanks for the info, I have a 1998 FICHT 150 and it runs great despite all the negatives I read before purchasing the boat and motor combo. Theres alot of finicky things about this motor(spark plug alignment, etc) but it sat unused, not cranked for almost 7 years and it runs like a champ for me after a small tune-up when I bought it, but even before the tune-up it cranked right up and ran without a hitch for an hour. trash in the p-valve will certainly be on my radar.
crabby	posted 05-14-2013 10:33 PM ET (US)             P tube likely refers to the Pee tube aka pisser tube aka the water pump telltale stream.

Hop to: ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General AreaContinuousWave: Whaler MarketplaceContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/ModsContinuousWave: Whaler PerformanceContinuousWave: Cetacea CommentsContinuousWave: Small Boat ElectricalContinuousWave: Trips and RendezvousContinuousWave: Post-Classic Whalers