09 Alumacraft Trophy 185 speed loss 175 etech

[Mick Broughton]

Last year my boat would hit 47-48 mph on my gps really did not seem to matter what condition.This year I can only get 41 to 43 mph in perfect condition's.Took it back to the dealer and they can't find anything wrong.My buddy was out with me today and he commented it seem's like it was faster also just by the ride.Any idea's?

[Robert M]

RPM the same? Prop OK? I would check the plugs first to see how its burning.Did you fog the cylinders last fall?That can gum up plugs.

[T Mac]

ummm... you didn't gain a bunch of weight...did ya? (J/K)

[eye-hunter]

LOL @ T Mac! HA! :funnypost:

I'd closely inspect your prop.

[fishhunter195]

are you using the same quality of fuel or is it old fuel???

oil fouled plugs might be an issue as well...

can't see the motor tiring out that much in one seson...

[Mick Broughton]

I think it is the plug's they are a little black.It will be covered under warranty just getting this dealer to do it.Alll ready talked to Evinrude and I am under my 3yr-300 hr no maitence.**** plug's are $13.00 a piece.I'm cheap.:cry:

[REW]

Mick,
To help to avoid fouling plugs, in the future - if that is your problem,
you might remove the plugs when your fog and restart your engine.
i.e. remove the plugs, fog the motor, add a spoon full of oil to each cylinder, and turn over the engine to spread the oil to the cylinders in the fall before storage.

Now, hand install the plugs, to seal the holes for storage.

When you remove the boat from storage, and before starting the engine, remove the plugs. Spin the engine over. Blow all of the fogging oit out of the cylinders through the plug holes. Spray some starting fluid into each plug hole, and then spin the engine over again, without having the plugs in the holes. The starting fluid works as a solvent to finish flushing the oil out of the cylinders. Now, insert the plugs and tighten them correctly.
Start the engine and go fishing. You will not have any fogging oil to burn out of your engine and foul the plugs along the way.

Good luck
REW

[Kdawg1966]

Mick,
To help to avoid fouling plugs, in the future - if that is your problem,
you might remove the plugs when your fog and restart your engine.
i.e. remove the plugs, fog the motor, add a spoon full of oil to each cylinder, and turn over the engine to spread the oil to the cylinders in the fall before storage.

Now, hand install the plugs, to seal the holes for storage.

Good luck
REW

kinda defeats the purpose of having a self-winterizing system...

[Mick Broughton]

Dealer is going to warranty the plug's.Going to try this first.I followed the factory winterizing process.

[jtam]

Looking at buying a Trophy 185...how do you like it?

[Mick Broughton]

Really like the boat.I had a Lund pro-v before this.The etech motor was just awsome last season not sure what is going on.I do wish it had a little more storage.So I can go slower.:mad:

[Flip Silverlake]

Mick,
To help to avoid fouling plugs, in the future - if that is your problem,
you might remove the plugs when your fog and restart your engine.
i.e. remove the plugs, fog the motor, add a spoon full of oil to each cylinder, and turn over the engine to spread the oil to the cylinders in the fall before storage.

Now, hand install the plugs, to seal the holes for storage.

When you remove the boat from storage, and before starting the engine, remove the plugs. Spin the engine over. Blow all of the fogging oit out of the cylinders through the plug holes. Spray some starting fluid into each plug hole, and then spin the engine over again, without having the plugs in the holes. The starting fluid works as a solvent to finish flushing the oil out of the cylinders. Now, insert the plugs and tighten them correctly.
Start the engine and go fishing. You will not have any fogging oil to burn out of your engine and foul the plugs along the way.

Good luck
REW

There is no need to go through this plug pulling and oil dumping due to the fact E-Tec's will winterize themselves. Doing the above is both a waste of time and money.

[Flip Silverlake]

Check the prop for a slipped hub or have your dealer check the plugs. You never stated what the RPM's of the engine are now and before the drop in speed. Also are you using up last years gas?

[Mick Broughton]

Already used up last year's gas.Rpm's are down .It does not run bad just a noticeable difference from last year and has a rough spot coming off idle.Thought the same thing about the prop slipping but you can't put the motor in gear not running to check.

[REW]

Flip,
You indicate that the e-tecs winterize themselves.
What do the engines do to winterize themselves?
REW

[Mick Broughton]

There is a procees you go through with the throttle wich give's it more oil and then shut's off on it's own.

[Blackmacs]

Mercury has a feature where you can manipulate the throttle three times, flap your arms and cluck like a chicken or something similar and that will put the outboard back into break in mode. I wonder if the winterization is somewhat similar and you just need to run it a bit to get all the oil burned off.

[teamod]

Remember that when you do ever take out your plugs on that E-tec that they have to be indexed (sp) or it will not run correctly!! So, this might save you more than a few $$, it might save you a lot of hassle!

[Mick Broughton]

Remember that when you do ever take out your plugs on that E-tec that they have to be indexed (sp) or it will not run correctly!! So, this might save you more than a few $$, it might save you a lot of hassle!All ready new that but thank's.It's been run plenty after the winterization.Don't know how to explain what is going other than it was a different animal last yr.

[teamod]

Have you had it scanned on the computer at the dealer? It will give you any faults if it has flagged any! These are just like a vehicle and will throw a code! Just wondering?

[Mick Broughton]

Yes had it scanned and nothing come's up.That's what is wierd.Plug's are supposed to be in Thurs and prefishing on Fri for tournament Sat-Sun.Hope the plug's take care of it.

[teamod]

Good luck and let us know if that's what worked! Thanks

[Flip Silverlake]

Flip,
You indicate that the e-tecs winterize themselves.
What do the engines do to winterize themselves?
REW

The computer provides extra oil through the crankshaft lube system and also the cylinder system. E-Tec's have had this system since they were introduced.

[Mick Broughton]

New plug's did nothing.Boat has gone through a ton of fuel.Dropping it back off Mon.

[walleyewall]

is the fuel filter bad, plugs good or not, trim working:cheers: