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Author Topic:   Evinrude Oceanpro Problems?

john417 posted 02-08-2005 04:54 PM ET (US)
I am considering buying a 1995 17' Dauntless with a 1995 Evinrude 115hp Oceanpro. A friend of mine said he heard Evinrude had big problems with the Oceanpro some years back. Anybody know anything about it?
Jerry Townsend posted 02-08-2005 05:15 PM ET (US)
I have a '96 115 OceanReady - and have had excellent service from it - no problems what-so-ever. In fact, I have not heard of any problems with this engine from others on this website - wonder where is your friend getting his information? ---- Jerry/Idaho
3whaler posted 02-08-2005 06:58 PM ET (US)
The 60 degree v4s, that are carbed, from OMC are pretty good engines.
john417 posted 02-08-2005 09:07 PM ET (US)
Thanks to you both for your replies. He's not sure where he heard it but he's been arond the water boating and fishing his whole life.
Jerry Townsend posted 02-08-2005 11:48 PM ET (US)
I slipped a cog - these are OceanRunners - not OceanReady as I mentioned before. ----- Jerry/Idaho
Chuck Tribolet posted 02-09-2005 12:29 AM ET (US)
I've got a 90 HP non-OceanPro Evinrude. It's been in salt
water most every weekend for sevenyears. The only problem
I've had was some water in the lower unit lube. Freshwater,
from a really high pressure flush. And kelp on the cooling
intakes a couple of times, which the warning system alerted
just fine.
What are the differences betwen the OceanPros and the non.

Chuck
Peter posted 02-09-2005 08:38 AM ET (US)
Chuck, if I recall correctly, at one point in time they used more stainless steel components than in the case of the non Ocean series.
Sal DiMercurio posted 02-09-2005 11:31 AM ET (US)
I believe your buddy is mistaken-ing [ new word ] the 95 carbed version with the 96 injected versions known as the FICHT.
96 was the 1st year for FICHT.
To the best of my knowledge, those engines [ 95 & earlier ] were bullet proof.
The ocean pro is just the name for the saltwater series of that engine.
The difference between the pro & non pro is the pro has most all the bolts s/s compared to non s/s in the non pro.
Sal
BillB posted 02-09-2005 12:26 PM ET (US)
I have a '96 carbed Oceanrunner...Damn near bulletproof. the only time it's been down was due to some fishing line breaking the prop shaft seal!
Sal, I could be wrong but I think the '97 model year was when they introduced the Fichts.
From a boats.com 1997 review of the years new outboard models:

quote:
The big news from OMC, parent corporation of Evinrude and Johnson, is the perfection of its proprietary Ficht Fuel Injection (FFI) system. For those unfamiliar with the technology, FFI is remarkable for the way it hammer-pulses gasoline into the combustion chamber. This ingenious method vaporizes liquid fuel into microscopic droplets that are more completely consumed by fire. It follows that this more complete combustion pays big dividends by way of greater horsepower generated per gallon of fuel, as well as reduced exhaust emissions and extended range. Because the Evinrude and Johnson Ficht motors precisely control the timing and volume of the fuel injected into the combustion chamber, throttle response is razor sharp. True to the nature of all EFI motors, once you lock in a throttle setting, the power head holds that rpm rock steady. Initially offered in a 150-horsepower version, the entire lineup of Johnson and Evinrude motors, beginning at 20 hp, will eventually be converted to FFI.

Sure sounded good at the time!
Bill
Jerry Townsend posted 02-09-2005 12:50 PM ET (US)
Sal - the '96 Johnson brochure states that all engines above about 30 hp are loop charged and carbureted. In '96, the ocean series were the OceanRunner - the OceanPro were, as I recall, prior models - but I am not sure. I am not sure when they started the fuel injected engines.
Some of the differences: - the OceanRunner has a heavy duty stainless prop shaft, stainless steering arm and pivot shaft, stainless self flushing thermostat - in general, changes directed toward reducing and eliminating corrosion. In that same anti-corrosion light - there are also changes in the paint (preparation, formulations and application). ----- Jerry/Idaho
hauptjm posted 02-09-2005 01:21 PM ET (US)
I've got the 150 hp version of that same engine, same year. It runs and performs without a hitch. I know quite a few fishing guides here in Louisiana that have commented to me that it is their all-time favorite powerplant. Simple and reliable: the mantra of someone who pays the bills with their boat.
john417 posted 02-09-2005 04:59 PM ET (US)
I'd like to thank everyone who replied to this. This was my first time using the forum and its really great. Don't want to get soapy but I feel like I found family. Thanks again.
john417 posted 02-09-2005 09:55 PM ET (US)
I found this link in a string about Johnson Ocenrunners. I think this is what my buddy was talking about. Interesting stuff about OMC VRO
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html
Sal DiMercurio posted 02-10-2005 12:28 AM ET (US)
I'm almost certain the FICHT was made in 96.
Either it was made in 96 for year 97 or the Johnson FICHT was in 96.
They did make Johnson FICHTs for a year.
Seahorse will know if he reads this post.
Sal
seahorse posted 02-10-2005 12:54 AM ET (US)
The 1997 FICHT came out in the fall of '96. It was only a 20" 150hp motor for that year.
Morro Bay Whaler posted 02-13-2005 06:08 PM ET (US)
I had a 1994 115 OceanPro. It ran well and was easy to work on. Very simple design. After about 5 years I started having problems with the thermostats, replacing them every 6 months. My only complaint was poor gas mileage. The motor is still running on the boat, with a new owner, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Joe Kriz posted 02-13-2005 06:22 PM ET (US)
A friend of mine has a 1996 Johsnon 115hp Oceanrunner.
1996 was the first year for the "System Check" for Johnson and the Johnson was not Ficht in 1996 for the 115 hp for sure.
His engine is not a FICHT as it still has the carbs. Great engine and is very economical as compared to the older models.
I am not positive, but didn't Johnson use the name "Oceanrunner" and Evinrude used the name "Oceanpro" ? That's how I remember it. I could be wrong for some later years.
Joe Kriz posted 02-13-2005 06:26 PM ET (US)
I just looked in a 2001 catalog and they do list the Johnson as an "Oceanpro".
I don't know what year they changed from Oceanrunner to Oceanpro.
My friends as I said before, is a 1996 Johnson Oceanrunner so somewhere between 1996 and 2001, they changed the name.
offshore27 posted 02-13-2005 07:58 PM ET (US)
i have a pair of 150 oceanrunners. they are bullet proof
Reel Tight posted 08-12-2005 12:03 PM ET (US)

I am going to look and hopefully trailer back a 1999 Seaswirl with the Johnson Ocean Pro 150 on her this weekend.
Anyone out there have this outboard and are they having good reliability with it. I believe it is a 1999 model year.
project13 posted 08-12-2005 12:39 PM ET (US)
john417,
There were actually problems with these engines. I had twin 150 1994 evindude ocean pros (same block) on my old 26 mako. I got a plastic bag wrapped on the lower unit and it caused the engine to over heat. Soon after than the engine croaked.
It was under extended warranty at the time and I was told that the engine had a "manufacturer's defect" and would not be covered. I was speechless.
After doing a lot of research I found out that OMC had a bad run of blocks where the aluminium did not cure properly and it created a "weld" like affect where there was actually a seam in the block. After the overheat this seam became porous and the pistons were sucking water from the water jacket through the seam.
If you ask a mechanic at a place that is or was an OMC dealer they will know about this.
It was a relatively small number of blocks and there may be a way to find out based on serial # if the engine in question is affected by this.
john417 posted 08-15-2005 10:37 AM ET (US)
WOW its been awhile since my original post. Thanks for the response. I did buy the boat and the engine has been performing just fine. Having a great summer with it.
keywest posted 07-23-2007 06:48 PM ET (US)
i have a 1996 115 hp v-4 johnson ocean runner model number J115SLEDA i need carb rebuild kit and don't know what kit to get because somehow that model number doesn't exist even though it is very clear on my motor and i have had 3 other people read it to anyone have any advice
keywest posted 07-23-2007 07:01 PM ET (US)
[Duplicate article removed. Thread closed.--jimh]

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Author	Topic: Evinrude Oceanpro Problems?
john417	posted 02-08-2005 04:54 PM ET (US) I am considering buying a 1995 17' Dauntless with a 1995 Evinrude 115hp Oceanpro. A friend of mine said he heard Evinrude had big problems with the Oceanpro some years back. Anybody know anything about it?
Jerry Townsend	posted 02-08-2005 05:15 PM ET (US) I have a '96 115 OceanReady - and have had excellent service from it - no problems what-so-ever. In fact, I have not heard of any problems with this engine from others on this website - wonder where is your friend getting his information? ---- Jerry/Idaho
3whaler	posted 02-08-2005 06:58 PM ET (US) The 60 degree v4s, that are carbed, from OMC are pretty good engines.
john417	posted 02-08-2005 09:07 PM ET (US) Thanks to you both for your replies. He's not sure where he heard it but he's been arond the water boating and fishing his whole life.
Jerry Townsend	posted 02-08-2005 11:48 PM ET (US) I slipped a cog - these are OceanRunners - not OceanReady as I mentioned before. ----- Jerry/Idaho
Chuck Tribolet	posted 02-09-2005 12:29 AM ET (US) I've got a 90 HP non-OceanPro Evinrude. It's been in salt water most every weekend for sevenyears. The only problem I've had was some water in the lower unit lube. Freshwater, from a really high pressure flush. And kelp on the cooling intakes a couple of times, which the warning system alerted just fine. What are the differences betwen the OceanPros and the non. Chuck
Peter	posted 02-09-2005 08:38 AM ET (US) Chuck, if I recall correctly, at one point in time they used more stainless steel components than in the case of the non Ocean series.
Sal DiMercurio	posted 02-09-2005 11:31 AM ET (US) I believe your buddy is mistaken-ing [ new word ] the 95 carbed version with the 96 injected versions known as the FICHT. 96 was the 1st year for FICHT. To the best of my knowledge, those engines [ 95 & earlier ] were bullet proof. The ocean pro is just the name for the saltwater series of that engine. The difference between the pro & non pro is the pro has most all the bolts s/s compared to non s/s in the non pro. Sal
BillB	posted 02-09-2005 12:26 PM ET (US) I have a '96 carbed Oceanrunner...Damn near bulletproof. the only time it's been down was due to some fishing line breaking the prop shaft seal! Sal, I could be wrong but I think the '97 model year was when they introduced the Fichts. From a boats.com 1997 review of the years new outboard models: quote: The big news from OMC, parent corporation of Evinrude and Johnson, is the perfection of its proprietary Ficht Fuel Injection (FFI) system. For those unfamiliar with the technology, FFI is remarkable for the way it hammer-pulses gasoline into the combustion chamber. This ingenious method vaporizes liquid fuel into microscopic droplets that are more completely consumed by fire. It follows that this more complete combustion pays big dividends by way of greater horsepower generated per gallon of fuel, as well as reduced exhaust emissions and extended range. Because the Evinrude and Johnson Ficht motors precisely control the timing and volume of the fuel injected into the combustion chamber, throttle response is razor sharp. True to the nature of all EFI motors, once you lock in a throttle setting, the power head holds that rpm rock steady. Initially offered in a 150-horsepower version, the entire lineup of Johnson and Evinrude motors, beginning at 20 hp, will eventually be converted to FFI. Sure sounded good at the time! Bill
Jerry Townsend	posted 02-09-2005 12:50 PM ET (US) Sal - the '96 Johnson brochure states that all engines above about 30 hp are loop charged and carbureted. In '96, the ocean series were the OceanRunner - the OceanPro were, as I recall, prior models - but I am not sure. I am not sure when they started the fuel injected engines. Some of the differences: - the OceanRunner has a heavy duty stainless prop shaft, stainless steering arm and pivot shaft, stainless self flushing thermostat - in general, changes directed toward reducing and eliminating corrosion. In that same anti-corrosion light - there are also changes in the paint (preparation, formulations and application). ----- Jerry/Idaho
hauptjm	posted 02-09-2005 01:21 PM ET (US) I've got the 150 hp version of that same engine, same year. It runs and performs without a hitch. I know quite a few fishing guides here in Louisiana that have commented to me that it is their all-time favorite powerplant. Simple and reliable: the mantra of someone who pays the bills with their boat.
john417	posted 02-09-2005 04:59 PM ET (US) I'd like to thank everyone who replied to this. This was my first time using the forum and its really great. Don't want to get soapy but I feel like I found family. Thanks again.
john417	posted 02-09-2005 09:55 PM ET (US) I found this link in a string about Johnson Ocenrunners. I think this is what my buddy was talking about. Interesting stuff about OMC VRO http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VRO.html
Sal DiMercurio	posted 02-10-2005 12:28 AM ET (US) I'm almost certain the FICHT was made in 96. Either it was made in 96 for year 97 or the Johnson FICHT was in 96. They did make Johnson FICHTs for a year. Seahorse will know if he reads this post. Sal
seahorse	posted 02-10-2005 12:54 AM ET (US) The 1997 FICHT came out in the fall of '96. It was only a 20" 150hp motor for that year.
Morro Bay Whaler	posted 02-13-2005 06:08 PM ET (US) I had a 1994 115 OceanPro. It ran well and was easy to work on. Very simple design. After about 5 years I started having problems with the thermostats, replacing them every 6 months. My only complaint was poor gas mileage. The motor is still running on the boat, with a new owner, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Joe Kriz	posted 02-13-2005 06:22 PM ET (US) A friend of mine has a 1996 Johsnon 115hp Oceanrunner. 1996 was the first year for the "System Check" for Johnson and the Johnson was not Ficht in 1996 for the 115 hp for sure. His engine is not a FICHT as it still has the carbs. Great engine and is very economical as compared to the older models. I am not positive, but didn't Johnson use the name "Oceanrunner" and Evinrude used the name "Oceanpro" ? That's how I remember it. I could be wrong for some later years.
Joe Kriz	posted 02-13-2005 06:26 PM ET (US) I just looked in a 2001 catalog and they do list the Johnson as an "Oceanpro". I don't know what year they changed from Oceanrunner to Oceanpro. My friends as I said before, is a 1996 Johnson Oceanrunner so somewhere between 1996 and 2001, they changed the name.
offshore27	posted 02-13-2005 07:58 PM ET (US) i have a pair of 150 oceanrunners. they are bullet proof
Reel Tight	posted 08-12-2005 12:03 PM ET (US) I am going to look and hopefully trailer back a 1999 Seaswirl with the Johnson Ocean Pro 150 on her this weekend. Anyone out there have this outboard and are they having good reliability with it. I believe it is a 1999 model year.
project13	posted 08-12-2005 12:39 PM ET (US) john417, There were actually problems with these engines. I had twin 150 1994 evindude ocean pros (same block) on my old 26 mako. I got a plastic bag wrapped on the lower unit and it caused the engine to over heat. Soon after than the engine croaked. It was under extended warranty at the time and I was told that the engine had a "manufacturer's defect" and would not be covered. I was speechless. After doing a lot of research I found out that OMC had a bad run of blocks where the aluminium did not cure properly and it created a "weld" like affect where there was actually a seam in the block. After the overheat this seam became porous and the pistons were sucking water from the water jacket through the seam. If you ask a mechanic at a place that is or was an OMC dealer they will know about this. It was a relatively small number of blocks and there may be a way to find out based on serial # if the engine in question is affected by this.
john417	posted 08-15-2005 10:37 AM ET (US) WOW its been awhile since my original post. Thanks for the response. I did buy the boat and the engine has been performing just fine. Having a great summer with it.
keywest	posted 07-23-2007 06:48 PM ET (US) i have a 1996 115 hp v-4 johnson ocean runner model number J115SLEDA i need carb rebuild kit and don't know what kit to get because somehow that model number doesn't exist even though it is very clear on my motor and i have had 3 other people read it to anyone have any advice
keywest	posted 07-23-2007 07:01 PM ET (US) [Duplicate article removed. Thread closed.--jimh]