Hi Larry B. and fellow reel timers. We blew 4 powerheads on a twin evinrude 225 installation last season. a frien of mine blew 3 power heads on a 175 evinrude.
The last powerhead going in 10 hours on double oil.
I took the following from another list that is discussing this problem:
I've been eagerly awaiting Powerboat Reports revisit of the Optimax and Ficht competition, and it came in the mail today. They
focused on the 225s:
Optimax: "we haven't encountered any reports of premature engine failures with these engines; apparently Mercury hasn't
either, and as a consequence, has restricted upgrades to detail refinements, such as rubber mounting fuel and air rails to reduce
vibration, and redesign of the oil-injection system."
Ficht: "Evinrude, on the other hand, seems to have encountered some significant reliability problems with their earlier models of
Ficht engines.... the recently introduced Ficht 225 incorporates a number of design modifications aimed at eliminating these
problems...such as an integrated ignition/induction ECU, all new fuel pump (with double capacity), higher inlet and suction
capabilities to reduce fuel starvation, higher outlet pressure to help suppress unwanted vaporization of fuel, and four times the
cooling area of the V-6 150 HP models. The ECU is now water-cooled, 12 volt system is boosted to 40 volts for driving the
injectors, ECU software modified to permit individual cylinder control of fuel and spark timing, and entire cooling system and oil
distribution system redesigned for better cooling and greater reliability. Even the spark plugs have been redesigned - now with
double platinum pads."
I don't know about you, but I don't intend to buy a new engine from a company that does its research on the buyer rather than
in the lab.