FICHT 225...Puzzled?

[GeneralVuesJavelin]

I have a 2000 225hp FICHT that had recently went out of commission. Due to what you ask? Me too...

Here's what happened...(get some popcorn)...One day, I go out to the river, drop the boat in and try to start it. Keep in mind, i've had the boat for 2 yrs now with no problems other than a lower unit going out, but no powerhead issues. It usually starts on the first crank too. Before the latter happened my motor would sometimes rev past 5500 RPM when WOT, which is unusual. I replace the plugs and hope it fix that but it didn't. Anyhow, I try and start it but it gives a weak crank, but nothing. It didn't turn over at all. I try a few times before I take off the engine cover to see if I can't spot the culprit while cranking. First crank with the cover off and "POP"! The cap that covers the starter flies off and into the river! DAMN! Okay, well I try just one more time...I turn the key and see the starter and flywheel chipping away at each other. Okay I quit...I load up and go home to check it out of the water. Come to find that my flywheel is missing a tooth. But would this cause the starter cap to fly off and the motor not to turn over?

Has anyone experienced this or know how this could've happened? Any help is welcomed and aprreciated. Thanks!

 

[seahorse5]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

the high revving when you first started it was from probably a torn fuel pump diaphragm that allowed fuel into the cylinders. Chances are a rod broke and locked up the motor. When the starter tried to engage the "frozen" motor, the starter drive housing broke from the starter motor torque going nowhere.

I'll be you will find the motor won't turn over by hand or will only turn part way.

When was the last time the motor was professionally serviced completely as required annually or every 100 hours, whichever is first?

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

Sounds like the starter solenoid is going away. I don't think the missing tooth in the flywheel will be an issue. Fix the starter and try it first before you repair/replace the flywheel. Heck I'm missing some teeth, and I still function!

 

[jonesg]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

Its cheaper to rotate the engine manually to see if it will still rotate without stoppage.

 

[GeneralVuesJavelin]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

Okay, I'll try hand turning it. Should the flywheel spin full cycles without any resistance? I hope its only the starter and nothing else. Its pretty cold out here in MN, but I'll try anything right now. Thanks and if anyone else has info please don't hold back.

 

[GeneralVuesJavelin]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

the high revving when you first started it was from probably a torn fuel pump diaphragm that allowed fuel into the cylinders. Chances are a rod broke and locked up the motor. When the starter tried to engage the "frozen" motor, the starter drive housing broke from the starter motor torque going nowhere.

I'll be you will find the motor won't turn over by hand or will only turn part way.

When was the last time the motor was professionally serviced completely as required annually or every 100 hours, whichever is first?

Man, this sounds scary.... Well I did winterize it last year with the whole nine. That was the last time. Replaced the spark plugs mid-summer and swapped out the LU beginning of spring. I can't fog the cylinders this year because of this problem, but I did the rest to winterize.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

Did you try to turn the flywheel? There will be resistance from the cylinder's compression, but you should be able to turn a full revolution. If you can't, winterizing was a waste of time most likely.

 

[GeneralVuesJavelin]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

Did you try to turn the flywheel? There will be resistance from the cylinder's compression, but you should be able to turn a full revolution. If you can't, winterizing was a waste of time most likely.

Not yet. So, if it doesn't turn then there's a problem in the powerhead?

 

[AlTn]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

or the lower unit

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

You should be able to rotate the flywheel (clockwise) without much effort, however, if you were to remove the plugs, it should turn easy. Keep us posted, this is interesting!

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

+1 on checking the lower unit. Something could have let loose in there.
Or it threw a rod.

 

[GeneralVuesJavelin]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

You should be able to rotate the flywheel (clockwise) without much effort, however, if you were to remove the plugs, it should turn easy. Keep us posted, this is interesting!

Will do...Its 0 below outside this weekend, so I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to do it but I do have a heated garage. However, the boat doesn't completely fit in the garage.

Ugghhh Man these symptoms just dont sound good at all. I do have a 3 year no question asked warranty on the lower unit, so hopefully it is that and not the powerhead.

Will keep this thread updated though. Thanks to everyone again.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

Oh it a SEI lower... good luck and hope you kept the box!

 

[GeneralVuesJavelin]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

Oh it a SEI lower... good luck and hope you kept the box!

Yes it is...That bad huh? Couldn't find any hard facts about the quality of it, which is the reason I purchased it.

 

[GeneralVuesJavelin]

Re: FICHT 225...Puzzled?

HA!!! Good news! Hoping it was the starter that crapped out.....Purchased a used oem starter, replaced it yesterday, fired it up.......and voila! Vrooom Vrooom. I'm ready for fishing season! Wooohoooo! Thanks to all that tried to help.

Next thing to do before dropping it in the water is to check compression. Just in case.