posted 01-18-2012 03:52 PM ET (US)            

BTW, what size motor do I need for the 19 Outrage?

Here's what we have on file for 1997-99 150hp models:

1998 OMC Johnson 150hp FICHT OB installed on 1990 Grady-White
Gulfstream 232:
02/03/99 Engine shuts down constantly, computer module says there's
water in fuel but other engine runs okay on same fuel. Engine sometimes
stops without alarm sounding. Owner wants OMC technical rep to inspect.

1998 twin OMC Johnson 150hp FICHT outboards (m/n J150 FSXEC s/n
04367263 & m/n J150 FCXEC s/n 04376483); Grady-White Tigercat:
02/22/99 Second time boat was used the stbd engine lost power &
overheat alarm sounded. Back at the dock they restarted engine & it died.
The pt engine smoked, ran rough & died. Neither engine could be
restarted. 3/26: Owner says OMC called: they will replace cylinder heads
& extend warranty for 1 yr but they haven't committed this in writing,
eventually, OMC replaced engines.

1997 Key West 2020 WA (KWEDW111H798); OMC Johnson Ficht 150hp
outboard (s/n 04335955):
07/19/99 Engine has numerous problems, similar to other Ficht
complaints we have on file. Owner’s lost all confidence in engine.

1999 Mako 19' 192; OMC 150hp Ficht OB engine (m/n E 150 FPX EE, s/
n 04549564):
10/12/99 One week after owner purchased boat, powerhead was
replaced. After numerous delays new powerhead was installed & didn't go
well, linkages & hoses didn't connect properly, shortly afterwards it was
discovered that manufacturer sent the wrong head, eventually replaced
w/ the correct one but engine is hard to start & seems to be having
combustion problems between 1600 and 2000 rpm. Owner wants
replacement engine. 2/22: Owner says OMC called: they are unwilling to
replace eng, want to try to repair again and will extend warranty.

1997 OMC Johnson 150hp Ficht:
11/08/99 Has had to return engine for repairs many times due to fouled
spark plugs. At 140 hrs the head blew & replacement head was also bad.
New fuel system & software upgrades have been added but engine still
doesn't work properly, engine skips or breaks down between 1800-3800
rpm.

1998 OMC 150hp Ficht outboard (m/n E150-FSLEC s/n 04483881):
11/19/99 Engine has knocked & pinged since new. Owner's been through
many upgrades, sometimes w/ slight improvement: new fuel injectors,
spark plugs, new cylinder heads, remapped computer, ECU. Problems
include excessive fuel consumption, engine runs rough, difficult to start,
smoking. Engine has ~100 hrs use. OMC replaced powerhead.

1998 OMC 150hp Johnson Ficht outboard (J150FSLEC s/n 04504045):

12/03/99 Problems since engine was new: he's changed spark plugs
many times, powerhead has been replaced several times, many other
adjustments & repair attempts. Engine skips from idle to 3000rpm. 12/
28: Manufacturer sent us copy of letter to owner: powerhead has been
replaced & eng is running properly.

1997 twin OMC 150hp J150 Ficht outboards FSXEC (#04443416/98-
J150 FCXEC #04483806):
03/15/00 Purchased World Cat 12/98. One month from purchase date
starboard engine blew piston. A new powerhead was sent for
replacement. Three weeks later starboard engine blew again and port
engine used too much oil and gas. OMC agreed to replace both engines
with 2000 engines in August 1999 and a two year extended warranty was
promised. November 1999 both oil injections pumps had to be replaced.
1/00 there was gas leak from starboard engine. Two weeks later same
thing happened to port engine.

1998 twin OMC Johnson 150hp Ficht outboards (m/n J150FSXEC, s/nos
04376575 & 04400910):
05/22/00 All of the usual Ficht problems since engines were new. Latest
break-down involves failure of starboard oil pump. Owner wants
replacement engines. OMC wants to sea trial/test engines. Dealer has
arranged for trailer to move boat to inspection on 9/19. 11/30: Owner
reports that tech rep decided against testing engine, based on owner's
experiences he recommended a new engine. However, OMC HQ said they
would only make repairs.

1997 Javelin-400TDC, OMC 150hp Ficht:
06/13/00 During initial break-in sounded like there was a marble was
rolling around inside the engine. Dealer remapped the electrical system &
this was corrected but rpm fluctuated up & down when started. Difficult
starting. 1/00 engine lost power & stalled out, ran very rough, makes
metallic sound at idle at 100hrs. Powerhead was retooled, boat out of
service for 2 1/2 mos. Then oil warning light came on & oil pump went
bad (after 12 hrs on new powerhead) Powerhead had to be replaced at 13
hrs. 10/13 Rec'd call from owner: engine broke down again. Manufacturer
is giving a new 2001 engine.

1998 OMC 150hp Ficht outboard (m/n E150iXEU s/n 04364919);
Seaswirl 2100 WA (BRCH072C1798):
07/21/00 From the time customer took delivery, the engine has a
noticeable miss. At 25 hour check, the dealer made some modifications.
Problems still existed, dealer went out of business. OMC said they would
install another modification (#5). Engine now has 180 hours, he's
concerned about the amount of downtime he's experienced and wants a
replacement engine. Strong gas fumes. At trolling speeds, engine spews
gas fumes & a lot of exhaust. Repair attempts unsuccessful, owner's lost
confidence in engine. OMC rep sea trialed boat, agreed that engine
misses between 1800-2700 rpm, also strong gasoline smell remains.
Manufacturer extended warranty additional 6 months, went bankrupt a
few weeks later.

1999 Boston Whaler Dauntless 18 (BWCAM131A999); OMC Johnson
150hp Ficht (s/n G04400931):
01/28/02 10/00 engine stalled. Inspection indicated #4 cylinder went
out, oil pump failure was fixed under warranty. 12/01 it sent out again
after 37 hrs. Diagnosis was high pressure in oil pump again. But now
engine is out of warranty (because of OMC bankruptcy & owner says
Bombardier won't cover his engine). Owner has to decide between paying
a $6000 repair bill or buying a new engine. Already has put a $1000
deposit on a $12G Yamaha engine (dealer's going to give him $750 for
trade-in.

1998 twin OMC 150hp Johnson Ficht outboards; Pro-Line WA:
07/26/02 Powerhead blew in 1998, replaced under warranty. Failed again
2001, at which point owner had to pay for repairs. After replacement
powerhead was broken in, it failed after 14-1/2 hrs.