ETEC 25HP Update

[GamblerHydra]

I just wanted to pass along my real world experiences about this little motor. I am a merc racing guy 100% , and prior merc 2 stroke guy on the small engines but wanted to try out a rude again. I needed one for my river skiff.

This motor runs like a scolded dog. However, I have had some litle nick picking issues, that I just never had on a merc out of the box.

I probably have roughly 8 hours on it. The first issue I had at roughly 6 hours. The top starter bolt had backed completely out , so I could not use the push button start it was not getting in gear. I had no idea that was the problem but when i took it in the mechanic took the cowl off and found it right away. Thank god I had a rope start too, becuase i had to use it form a day before I took it to the mechanic and I was 10 hours from home.

At roughly 7 hours I could no longer manually tilt the engine into shallow draft. After no ability to tilt the engine into shallow draft and taking a chunk out of my skeg getting my dad off the river to the hosipital ( he got a hook in his hand . I had to make a long drive thru a few shoals with no shallow draft.) I took to the mechanic and the spring was alreadly stretched. So shortened the spring and back in business until a new one could be ordered.

No after my long drive home I discover brown oil dripping out around my prop. It is not lower unit oil , but the XD100 . I am hoping just unburned engine oil dripping from the exhaust. However what scares me is that I have read quite a few reports of the oil resovoirs cracking, or getting cracks. I will keep a eye on it , but it looks like I might be making my third trip back to a mechanic.

I love the engine, it is strong as a bull, but I bought into the no maintenence for 3 years marketing, and that is just not working out for me. I love the engine though and the way it runs. However, I can't help but second guess myself on the purchase over merc.

Not to bash envinrude motors, I grew up on them and had a few myself. However, these issues I am seeing now is why I switched to Merc 10 years ago. I had had little issues with merc too, but never this early in ownership like i always had with the evinrude motors. I have usually been able to get by the first 75-100 hours on mercs with no issues, and limited maintence.

I will keep everyone posted as i plan to run it alot the next few months. I am keeping a open mind.

[Senderofan]

Sorry to hear of your less than happy experiences with your new motor. I'm not sure if Merc. still makes a two stroke 25 hp...at least I can't find one listed on their site. I think the four strokes...like a 25 Merc. would be a pretty solid motor...but I think you're going to get a little more performance out of your e-tec. I'm sure you hate bringing your rig back to the dealer...but I think they should fix things until you're satisfied. I switched my main motor out from an XR6 Merc. to an e-tec about 18 months ago...I haven't had a lick of trouble and haven't regretted it....The e-tec, for me, is much easier to start, doesn't smoke, is an absolute torque monster and gets a lot better fuel economy versus the carb'd classic Merc I had....which had extremely low hours and was maintained yearly. I still have my Merc. 15 hp kicker....it's a beast to get running...but once warmed up, it's a sweet little motor.

Hopefully the dealer can make things right for you.....and you'll be more satisfied with your decision to buy the e-tec. My dealer and his service is what clinched the deal on my re-power.

Good Luck...Hope to see you post how things turn out for you and your new motor....hope it all turns out well!

Wayne

[Merc Fanatic]

Mercury does make two strokes but thanks to our governments desire to protect us from ourselves, they are not available here. Below is a link the Merc's Latin America site. I guess their air does not go beyond their borders.

http://www.mercurymarinelatinamerica...roke_table.htm