Spark Plug Confusion

[Fishalot]

I need an expert opinion on which spark plug to use for a 1999 Evinrude 225 Ficht. I recently purchase a replacement set from a reputable dealer and they sold me XC12PEPB's, which were different from the OE's, which were QC12PEP's. The dealer insisted that the XC's replaced the QC's. I called OMC or rather Bombardiar? and their technical help said that the QC's should be used. Does anyone know for certain which plugs are best suited for the 1999 225 Ficht? <br /><br />fishalot

 

[CAPTBLACKSMARINE]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

I DO NOT KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD , BUT I WILL CHECK TOMORROW WHEN I GO TO WORK ,AND IF NO ONE HAS LET YOU KNOW BY THEN I WILL RESPOND WITH THE CORRECT INFO .BUT I DO THINK IT IS THE QC'S AND NOT THE XC'S BUT I AM NOT SURE . OMC/BOMB DID PRINT A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS AND IT IS TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE ONLY PLACE TO FIND OUT FOR SURE WHICH PLUGS GO IN IT.

 

[CAPTBLACKSMARINE]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

I DO NOT KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD , BUT I WILL CHECK TOMORROW WHEN I GO TO WORK ,AND IF NO ONE HAS LET YOU KNOW BY THEN I WILL RESPOND WITH THE CORRECT INFO .BUT I DO THINK IT IS THE QC'S AND NOT THE XC'S BUT I AM NOT SURE . OMC/BOMB DID PRINT A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS AND IT IS TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE ONLY PLACE TO FIND OUT FOR SURE WHICH PLUGS GO IN IT.

 

[CAPTBLACKSMARINE]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

FISHALOT, YOU MAY ALREADY KNOW THIS BUT JUST IN CASE ,WHEN YOU CAHNGE THE PLUGS IN YOUR FICHT THE PLUGS NEED TO BE INDEXED AND CAN CAUSE RUNNING PROBLEMS IF THEY ARE NOT INDEXED PROPERLY.

 

[Fishalot]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

Captblacksmarine, Thanks for your help. I know indexing is very critical. If you could check the most recent bulletins is would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />fishalot

 

[Franki]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

If you don't mind my asking... what is indexing? is that setting the gap??<br /><br />never heard that term,, is that an Americanism?<br /><br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[Trent]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

No, Indexing is setting the position of the electrode in the cylinder. THese engines had problems with sparkplugs in the early models. They found out that if you index the sparkplugs to the correct position in respect to the fuel nozzles it would cure the problem.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

All the big block, 3.0L and 3.3L, FICHTS use the QC12PEP. That is indicated on your silver EPA sticker near the serial number, in the OMC Parts and Accessories Book, in service bulletins, and on the Microfische parts breakdown.<br /><br />The 60 degree block FICHTS, 175 down to 75hp, use the XC12PEP plugs, depending on the year.

 

[CAPTBLACKSMARINE]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

THE FICHT SPARK PLUG INFO IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM ONE OF TWO PLACE'S AND THAT IS SERVICE BULLETIN # 2360 AND ALSO THE ECI LABEL ON SOME MODELS ,BUT THE ECI LABEL INFO IS NOT CORRECT ON ALL MODELS. FOR ANY FICHT MOTORS OLDER THAN 2000 YOU NEED TO REFER TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN TO BE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT INFO.THE BULLETIN READS AS FOLLOWS . V-4 1998-1999 OMC PART # 5001111 CHAMPION # 7712 GAP AT .030........................... V-4 2000 OMC PART # 5001211 CHAMPION # XC12PEPB GAP AT .030....................... 60 DEGREE V-6 1997-1999 ALL WITH OUT PINNED HEADS OMC PART # 5001111 CHAMPION # 7712GAP AT .030................................... 60 DEGREE V-6 1997-1999 ALL WITH PINNED HEADS OMC PART # 5001211 CHAMPION # XC12PEPB GAP AT .030................................ 60 DEGREE V-6 2000 OMC PART # 5001211 CHAMPION # XC12PEPB GAP AT .030............. 90 DEGREE V-6 1999-2000 OMC PART # 5001866 CAHMPION # QC12PEP GAP AT .030.............. NOTE: IF THE ENGINE HAS HAD A LATER MODEL POWERHEAD INSTALLED PLEASE USE THE CORRECT PLUG FOR YOUR SPECIFIC POWERHEAD............ CHAMPION 7712 = ALL WITHOUT PIN STYLE CYLINDER HEAD EXCEPT 90 DEGREE V-6......... CHAMPION XC12PEPB = ALL WITH PIN STYLE CYLINDER HEAD............................... CHAMPION QC12PEP = ALL 90 DEGREE V-6........ THIS INFO IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE EVIN/JOHN PARTS AND ACCESORIES BOOK (BUT ALL OTHERS ARE AND IS WHERE YOU SHOULD GET ANY OTHER PLUG INFO) IF YOU LOOK IN THE BOOK IT TELLS YOU TO REFER TO BULLETIN # 2360 . WHICH IS WHERE THE ABOVE INFO CAME FROM .

 

[Franki]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

Thanks for that, I just learned something..<br /><br />does that mean that the plugs have a mark of some sort that you have to match to a mark on the head?<br /><br />Guess I don't have to worry about that, my Johnsons plugs have no earth lead, so indexing would make no difference.<br /><br />Thanks for the explanation.<br /><br />kindest regards<br /><br />Frank

 

[novacane]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

yes your unearthed plug is unshoulded (no blocked spark) you can grind some of the ground eletrode back witch will create a simalier affect unshourding the plugs is whey easier the indexing with both it place <br />you cant miss

 

[Trent]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

No, Sparkplugs dont have a mark you have to make one.All Ficht engines require indexing. The open end of the J-Gap is oriented towards the fuel injector. 3:00 on the port bank and 9:00 on the starboard bank. This provides smooth idle and acceleration off idle. It has nothing to do with pistion burning. It helps prevent pre-mature plug fouling. Gap plugs to .028 the spec calls for .030

 

[Fishalot]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

Thanks to all for the spark plug specks, especially Captblacksmarine I appreciate you looking up the bulletin for me.<br /><br />I ask my local dealer for a copy of what they were looking at and they faxed me a copy of a technical service notice dated Oct. 99 that referenced only part number 5001211, which is for 60 degree V6's. Funny thing is that they still insist that the XC's should be used in a 99 225 Ficht.I ask the parts manager to look up the referenced bulletin but he responded by saying that I was the most argumentative customer he has ever had and I really didn't even press the issue, amagine that?? I'll get a refund and take my business elsewhere.<br /><br />Thanks again!! <br /><br />fishalot

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

The XC12 plug was recommended when the first 200-225 FICHTS came out in the summer of 1998. Shortly thereafter, the factory changed to the QC12PEP for a better tolerance for fouling. The info was distributed in the annual service seminars, the service schools, and by the factory reps.

 

[klausnted]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

My son has a v-4 125 1999 ficht engine.I see the 7712 as standard plug. He had them replaced about 10 hours running time ago, i pulled one to check them because of some loss of power after an hour's run. It was somwhat fouled not wet though. Has someone ever tried the xc plug as it seems to be a hotter plug? Or is the 7712 a must on this engine. Thanks for your reply.

 

[jermsdogs]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

the xcs replaced only the 150 hp and smaller stay with the qc for now auto lite is now producing a platinum that matches up with the qc, dont ever listen to a marine service manager they are the sole reason omc had so many problems with the early fichts from recomending xd 30 and 100 instead of the xd 50 oil to not indexing plugs. omc and bombardier both deserve a lot of credit for warranting engines that it was obvious the marine techs didn;t follow thier specs,

I need an expert opinion on which spark plug to use for a 1999 Evinrude 225 Ficht. I recently purchase a replacement set from a reputable dealer and they sold me XC12PEPB's, which were different from the OE's, which were QC12PEP's. The dealer insisted that the XC's replaced the QC's. I called OMC or rather Bombardiar? and their technical help said that the QC's should be used. Does anyone know for certain which plugs are best suited for the 1999 225 Ficht? <br /><br />fishalot

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

My son has a v-4 125 1999 ficht engine.I see the 7712 as standard plug. He had them replaced about 10 hours running time ago, i pulled one to check them because of some loss of power after an hour's run. It was somwhat fouled not wet though. Has someone ever tried the xc plug as it seems to be a hotter plug? Or is the 7712 a must on this engine. Thanks for your reply.

It's not wise to experiment with plugs on Ficht and E-Tec motors. Stick with the recommended plug, unless you know you're smarter than the BRP engineers and willing to live with the consequences.

 

[elark7]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

OMC put out a bulletin in March of 2000. In that bulletin they addressed spark plugs and which ones to use in the FICHT motors. For 60 degree 1998 to 99 V4 90 and 115 HP use the 7712, 60 degree 2000 and newer V4 75, 90 and 115 Hp use XC12PEPB, 60 degree 1997-99 V6 150 and 175 without pinned cylinder heads use the 7712, 60 degree 1997-99 V6 150 and 175 with the pinned cylinder heads use the XC12PEPB, 60 degree 2000 and newer V6 135, 150 and 175 use the XC12PEPB, 90 degree 1999 and newer V6 200, 225 and 250 use the QC12PEP. This is taken right out of the bulletin. Make sure that you index the plugs when replaced.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Spark Plug Confusion

Y'all are responding to a post from 2002 - almost 9 years ago !!!!!!!