If an E-TEC is having plug troubles, then the dealer is not checking the motor over like he should. Most likely there are thermostats or a pressure relief valve that is not working correctly and the motor is not getting up to operational temperature. There is a bulletin on how to check this. Call BRP customer service if this continues.<br /><br />Mercury Verado sparkplugs are about $17 apiece.
No one should by saying "no maintenance". The advertising says "no DEALER REQUIRED maintenance" for 300hr/3yr in normal recreational use. Meaning you do not have to tow your boat to the dealer several times a year.<br /><br />The motor still needs maintenance as described in the owners manual such as winterizing that can easily be done by the owner. Adding a fuel stabilizer to the gas to prevent stale fuel. And annual greasing of the motor if used in saltwater. That's about it, pretty easy, huh?<br /><br />Who is saying no maintenance?
i would think it implies no maintenance is required and if there is any they sure dont talk about it<br /><br /><br /> * NO SCHEDULED DEALER MAINTENANCE FOR 3 YEARS.<br /> * ZERO BREAK-IN PERIOD<br /> * NO COSTLY OIL CHANGES<br /> * USES UP TO 30-75% LESS OIL THAN COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGIES<br /><br />EASY TO OWN AND OPERATE Evinrude E-TEC outboards require no scheduled dealer maintenance - that's right, zero - for the first three years or 300 hours of normal recreational use. Not even gearcase lube. You'll never have to change the oil or the oil filter, which can cost several hundred dollars each year for other technologies.<br /><br />I do think it is a great motor BUT when they say things like the fuel system is sealed so you will never have to worry about fuel going bad it makes you wonder who there trying to doubble talk<br /> http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/E-Tec/Video/20_EasyToOwn.htm <br /><br />tommays
I really can't comment on your comprehension... but my comprehension says the no dealer maintenance deal does't say to ignore everything for 300hrs/3yrs. Some people want to read it as saying do nothing for 300/3 but I don't. When a car handbook says change oil every 5k miles do people really believe it means never check the oil between changes, etc? As Seahorse already mentioned, the owner's manual lists standard maintenance checks like any other motor.<br /><br />Maintenance has always been overly hyped up by dealers to sell service. It's natural that the Bomb is getting on their nerves with the no dealer maintenance advertising. This eTec maintenance deal is just being blown way out of reality.
<br /><br />But, lets bring this all back down a notch. I like E-tech. It's just as good as any other DFI outboard technology on the market. In most cases it's better. I would be happy to own one in some sizes. In other sizes...You couldn't give me one. I take that back. Yes, you could give me one. In fact, please do. I like features, marketing plans and pricing for many different models across all brands. But that doesn't mean I like everything about one brand. I can like E-Tech technology and dislike a marketing scheme that they hype. I like Suzuki's marketing plan, but their big V-6's leave me cold. Their new 300 might even change my mind on that. Yamaha and Honda are universally loved by all. And they are priced like an uptown call girl. Expensive and pretty...With the same equipment as the ten dollar...You get the point. Mercury, well, that's the only brand that I have a problem liking. I do like some models and I don't trust some other models. And of course my favorites Tohatsu/Nissan. Great outboards hidden behind a odd marketing plan that often seems to hide rather than promote them. Breaks my heart it does.<br /><br />In the end, it's about perception. If you think something is better, then for you, maybe it is. If you think something is carp(LOL), then you should shy away from it. I like DFI, so DFI is better than 4-stroke. If I liked 4-stroke, then it would be better. We all have our ideas about what makes one brand better than another. Sometimes we might even be right 
