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Author Topic:   Thoughts on 1999 Ficht 175 engines

PSW posted 09-09-2003 12:11 AM ET (US)
Any thoughts on the reliability of the 175 ficht engine made in 1999. I know the 1998's have a bad rap and 00's seem to be better, but what are the 1999's like.
Also can updates be made that later models incorporated.
Thanks in advance,
PSW
JBCornwell posted 09-09-2003 07:32 AM ET (US)
A powderkeg with a short fuse, as built by OMC.
There is an update/upgrade package that Bombardier came up with that is reputed to make them fairly reliable.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
Sal DiMercurio posted 09-09-2003 12:07 PM ET (US)
Those were the engines that had the major problems.
I'd stay away from the 98s & 99s.
Sal
BarryGreen posted 09-09-2003 02:06 PM ET (US)
I have a '99 175 Ficht on my 20' OR with T-top. I ran it the first year as it came from the factory, and it was fine but did produce a lot of carbon that mucked up the waterline as well as the lower unit. In addition, when the engine made the transition from laminar flow to stratified flow as rpms ramped up, it would hesitate for a second or two. Gave me a funny feeling every time that happened. No other functional problems at all.
As soon as the '00 Ficht upgrade came out my dealer installed it. The retrofit is a big deal (new pinned heads, new programming, different plugs, etc., etc.), and I'd make sure that the dealer who does it has done it before. However, the run-rich carbon and hesitation issues went completely away.
In a nutshell - I love the engine. It starts like my car, just leave the throttle at idle and crank it over about two revolutions. Idles quietly at about 750 rpm. Very easy on gas and oil, plenty of power, never loads up or fouls. Great hole shots, and 40+ mph WOT on GPS. Plugs are expensive, but if you change them every other year it's no big deal. I've got about 130 hours on it now, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else, including a heavier 4-stroke.
Just my experience and opinion.
Barry
Sal DiMercurio posted 09-10-2003 11:34 AM ET (US)
Barry, the up grade is not a big deal to install at all.
The plugs need to be changed every 7 hours which in my case is 3 times a year, not every other year.
Rule of thumb is, when you decarb the engine [ supposed to be every fifty hours ], change the lower unit grease & the plugs.
You can get the plugs...QC12PEP ....from Napa auto supply for $4.something but they usually need to be ordered, the code they have to look for is....[ my key board wont print the letter five so I must write it ] ..."9 five 9 M" , or they won't find it.
Sal
Sal DiMercurio posted 09-10-2003 03:29 PM ET (US)
Thats seventy five hours, not 7,....my keyboard wont print the # five.
By the end of that time, the gap on those plugs will go from .28 to .44 so gotta check em & make sure you index them or it wont run right.
Sal
JohnJ80 posted 09-10-2003 03:47 PM ET (US)
DFI technology engines are great. I am very impressed with my 2003 FICHT. I looked at them all (brands) too.
I have a friend who has the 1999 175HP. He did the upgrade but the powerhead failed. Since the motor was purchased from OMC and since Bombardier bought the assets of the company, not the liabilities, he got stuck for a new powerhead. Bombardier was pretty good about it though and sold it to him below dealer cost.
So, before i bought one of these i would make sure who built it and who the warranty is through (if there still is one). 1999 was the problem year, if I recall. I think if they work and are upgraded and they have some hours on them then they will be all right. If nothing else, just make sure you get it for the right price.
I would have no problem with the Bombardier motors. The FICHT technology is great and they are wonderful motors.
J.

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Author	Topic: Thoughts on 1999 Ficht 175 engines
PSW	posted 09-09-2003 12:11 AM ET (US) Any thoughts on the reliability of the 175 ficht engine made in 1999. I know the 1998's have a bad rap and 00's seem to be better, but what are the 1999's like. Also can updates be made that later models incorporated. Thanks in advance, PSW
JBCornwell	posted 09-09-2003 07:32 AM ET (US) A powderkeg with a short fuse, as built by OMC. There is an update/upgrade package that Bombardier came up with that is reputed to make them fairly reliable. Red sky at night. . . JB
Sal DiMercurio	posted 09-09-2003 12:07 PM ET (US) Those were the engines that had the major problems. I'd stay away from the 98s & 99s. Sal
BarryGreen	posted 09-09-2003 02:06 PM ET (US) I have a '99 175 Ficht on my 20' OR with T-top. I ran it the first year as it came from the factory, and it was fine but did produce a lot of carbon that mucked up the waterline as well as the lower unit. In addition, when the engine made the transition from laminar flow to stratified flow as rpms ramped up, it would hesitate for a second or two. Gave me a funny feeling every time that happened. No other functional problems at all. As soon as the '00 Ficht upgrade came out my dealer installed it. The retrofit is a big deal (new pinned heads, new programming, different plugs, etc., etc.), and I'd make sure that the dealer who does it has done it before. However, the run-rich carbon and hesitation issues went completely away. In a nutshell - I love the engine. It starts like my car, just leave the throttle at idle and crank it over about two revolutions. Idles quietly at about 750 rpm. Very easy on gas and oil, plenty of power, never loads up or fouls. Great hole shots, and 40+ mph WOT on GPS. Plugs are expensive, but if you change them every other year it's no big deal. I've got about 130 hours on it now, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else, including a heavier 4-stroke. Just my experience and opinion. Barry
Sal DiMercurio	posted 09-10-2003 11:34 AM ET (US) Barry, the up grade is not a big deal to install at all. The plugs need to be changed every 7 hours which in my case is 3 times a year, not every other year. Rule of thumb is, when you decarb the engine [ supposed to be every fifty hours ], change the lower unit grease & the plugs. You can get the plugs...QC12PEP ....from Napa auto supply for $4.something but they usually need to be ordered, the code they have to look for is....[ my key board wont print the letter five so I must write it ] ..."9 five 9 M" , or they won't find it. Sal
Sal DiMercurio	posted 09-10-2003 03:29 PM ET (US) Thats seventy five hours, not 7,....my keyboard wont print the # five. By the end of that time, the gap on those plugs will go from .28 to .44 so gotta check em & make sure you index them or it wont run right. Sal
JohnJ80	posted 09-10-2003 03:47 PM ET (US) DFI technology engines are great. I am very impressed with my 2003 FICHT. I looked at them all (brands) too. I have a friend who has the 1999 175HP. He did the upgrade but the powerhead failed. Since the motor was purchased from OMC and since Bombardier bought the assets of the company, not the liabilities, he got stuck for a new powerhead. Bombardier was pretty good about it though and sold it to him below dealer cost. So, before i bought one of these i would make sure who built it and who the warranty is through (if there still is one). 1999 was the problem year, if I recall. I think if they work and are upgraded and they have some hours on them then they will be all right. If nothing else, just make sure you get it for the right price. I would have no problem with the Bombardier motors. The FICHT technology is great and they are wonderful motors. J.