"new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

[g_reaper3]

I am looking at buying a brand new boat that is a model year 2001 with brand new twin 2001 150hp ficht engines. I have the following questions:<br /><br />1. Is the 2001 ficht a problem? There are a lot of posts on fichts late 90s through 2000 but not 2001. <br /><br />2. Is buying outboards that have been sitting on a boat unused for 3 years a problem?<br /><br />3. Will I get a warranty on the outboards? The dealer claims yes.<br /><br />4. What other advice do you have?

 

[DJ]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

Are they branded Bombardier or OMC? If Bomardier, you're probably fine.<br /><br />You'll have to trust the dealer on the warranty.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

If it is a new 2001, it is OMC built and Bombardier will cover the warranty for 2 years. OMC gave that one all the improvements and they have a good reputation.

 

[jegervais]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

I've got a 2001 Ficht 150 - It's been trouble free. All I do is normal annual maintenance.<br /><br />-John

 

[g_reaper3]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

Additional information:<br /><br />The motors were actually manufactured in July 2000 and August 2000 (stamped on engine tag). Also, I called Bombardier and they said that they would not warranty the engines. <br /><br />Any thoughts on year 2000 ficht 150s? I do a lot of trolling at around 1000-1200 rpm's. I have heard that these engines foul up a lot.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

I think the fact that Bombardier won't back them speaks for itself.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

In other words your buying used motors with 0 hours on them. Good deal if youre paying a used motor price. Bad if ya gotta pay new prices.<br /><br />What did the dealer say when you told him he was wrong about the warranty?

 

[seahorse5]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

What are the model numbers on the motors? That will tell what year they are. <br /><br />The serial numbers can tell if the motors are brand new 2001 models or if they were special "program" motors that did not come with a warranty picked up by Bombardier.

 

[BillP]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

What was the last year of the bad ones? Or said differently, what is the first year of the good ones?

 

[g_reaper3]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

The model #'s are E150FCXSIF. One was built in 8/2000 and the other one was built 7/2000 per the OMC tags on the motors. Serial #'s are G04901520 and G04909498. One is counterrotating. From what I have read online, it seems as if the 2000 model year corrected a lot of the problems. I noticed that even today's 150 Evinrudes are ficht DFI's.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

There was a year when OMC was going thru the bankruptcy that they used whatever parts they could find to put motors together. Parts that might've been rejected as questionable were used anyhow. I wish I knew exactly when that was, but those are the ones Bombardier wants to stay clear of warrantying. But Over all, Fichts are good motors. As with any new product introduction, the early ones had problems that needed ironing out. It didn't take long for that to happen.<br /><br />It is possible that those are simply beyond the age threshhold that Bombardier chose to cut off warranty coverage. Merc does the same thing. If those motors aren't those that were pieced together, then they should be good motors. But lack of warranty coverage makes them worth a lot less than if they were covered. Probably less than half.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

I would never buy a motor that the company would not honor the Warranty. Move on to another... Would you buy a new car that had no Warranty??

 

[g_reaper3]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

When I spoke with Bombardier it is exactly what WillyBWright indicated. They are only warrantying motors back to a certain date which doesnt include 2000. I dont think this would be different than a car. Would a 2000 Chevy truck come with a warranty if i tried to buy it today (actually given the struggles the domestic auto companies have selling cars, it probably would). Effectively I am treating this as buying used engines which is actually how they are priced. What I am trying to figure out is will they be okay or not. My brother for example has a 99 150 hp ficht and it has run great since when he first got it new. Yet you hear all these horror stories.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

Find out the prices for all the upgrade kits.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

Those motors are 2001 models, and the G04909498 is a counter rotating model. The serial numbers are "flagged" and say to contact customer service, so these may be promotional motors or dealer demo versions that do not have a standard warranty. What exactly did Bombardier say to you why the motors are not covered?<br /><br />When Bombardier bought up OMC, they covered the 2000 and 2001 models, except for promotional and demo motors.

 

[g_reaper3]

Re: "new" 2001 fichts 150 hp

Seahorse - Bombardier said that they would no longer cover motors built prior to a certain date which was July 02 I believe. Potentially the person I talked to on the phone at Bombardier was incorrect. We never even discussed serial #'s. I probably should contact the customer service #. Is that just the number on their website or some sort of special number? Thanks for your help by the way.