E-TEC 150 wierd behaviour. Any ideas??

[Jon Tallis]

Can anyone offer any suggestions about some very weird behaviour from my fairly new-to-me 2011 ETEC 150. It's got 300 hrs on the clock and just had a full service inc new fuel pump and 2 new injectors.

The engine has done a really weird thing when coming home and being flushed after it’s last 2 outings. Home is about 20 mins from the slipway so engine is probably just still warm at this point. On both occasions my son has been using the boat. The below has never happened when I've been using it, only my son and the only thing he does differently to me is he turns the main isolator off when towing - I don't bother

• Starts, runs for a fraction of a second and stops with a loud pop (bit like a backfire)
• Won’t re-start for several hours (will crank but won’t fire)
• On trying it several hours later, it starts but idle is initially very slow and lumpy with an unusually loud exhaust note
• Over first 3-4 minutes of running, the idle picks up, smooths out and the exhaust note returns to normal
• Then it’s fine for 10 minute run on muffs, stops and starts fine

Did this for the first time 3 weeks ago (fine for the 3 trips before that in my ownership post it's service)
The engine runs as sweet as a nut on the water and starts first time on the slip.
No faults showing on I-Command gauge but haven't plugged the diagnostics in yet.

Has anyone else experienced this before? What was the cause?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Jon Tallis

Can anyone offer any suggestions about some very weird behaviour from my fairly new-to-me 2011 ETEC 150. It's got 300 hrs on the clock and just had a full service inc new fuel pump and 2 new injectors.



The engine has done a really weird thing when coming home and being flushed after it’s last 2 outings. Home is about 20 mins from the slipway so engine is probably just still warm at this point. On both occasions my son has been using the boat. The below has never happened when I've been using it, only my son and the only thing he does differently to me is he turns the main isolator off when towing - I don't bother



•Starts, runs for a fraction of a second and stops with a loud pop (bit like a backfire)

•Won’t re-start for several hours (will crank but won’t fire)

•On trying it several hours later, it starts but idle is initially very slow and lumpy with an unusually loud exhaust note

•Over first 3-4 minutes of running, the idle picks up, smooths out and the exhaust note returns to normal

•Then it’s fine for 10 minute run on muffs, stops and starts fine



Did this for the first time 3 weeks ago (fine for the 3 trips before that in my ownership post it's service)

The engine runs as sweet as a nut on the water and starts first time on the slip.

No faults showing on I-Command gauge but haven't plugged the diagnostics in yet.



Has anyone else experienced this before? What was the cause?

Could be the exhaust actuator. IIRC is on the Stbd side half way down the leg. It’s an electro/mechanical actuator that opens a flap in the exhaust at a certain RPM & lengthens the exhaust passage. It can stick in the open/closed position. You can manually activate it with the diagnostic software & see it moving.
On a side note NEVER EVER open or close a battery isolator with the engine running. You’ll damage the (very expensive) EMM.
Caveat, it’s been a few years since I owned an Etec, so some of the details could be flaky, I’m working from a fading memory.

[Jon Tallis]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Could be the exhaust actuator. IIRC is on the Stbd side half way down the leg. It’s an electro/mechanical actuator that opens a flap in the exhaust at a certain RPM & lengthens the exhaust passage. It can stick in the open/closed position. You can manually activate it with the diagnostic software & see it moving.
On a side note NEVER EVER open or close a battery isolator with the engine running. You’ll damage the (very expensive) EMM.
Caveat, it’s been a few years since I owned an Etec, so some of the details could be flaky, I’m working from a fading memory.

Thanks PD. I'll have a look at that. Aware of the isolator but never hurts to remind - that would be an expensive mistake!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Jon Tallis

Thanks PD. I'll have a look at that. Aware of the isolator but never hurts to remind - that would be an expensive mistake!

Come to think of it, it might only be the 115hp that has the exhaust actuator. Not 100% sure

[Pikey Dave]

When were the plugs last changed?

[Jon Tallis]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

When were the plugs last changed?

Service, less than 15hrs ago

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Jon Tallis

Service, less than 15hrs ago

Has this only started since the service?

[Jon Tallis]

I had the engine fully serviced as soon as I bought it. Didn't use it before it was serviced. Used it 5 times since, perfect first 3 times out, did this on next two

[Northern Pike]

60 HP Etec also has an exhaust valve. Best resource for Etec help is here:

https://www.etecownersgroup.com

[Jon Tallis]

Thanks NP, that's a useful site I wasn't aware of.
As update the problem seems to be related to how "tilted" the engine is when towed. It seems to not like being on full tilt. I suspect a problem with the VST float valve but have tested it and can't find a problem. (VST is new).
We seem to be able to work round the problem keeping the engine just sufficiently tilted to clear the number board when on the trailer. It means I can't use the tilt stop but that's another problem.
Thanks for the pointer.
J

[Northern Pike]

You'll find that site very helpful; hopefully it will lead to a solution. In the meantime, you could use a spacer to fill the gap in your tilt stop. Good luck. Let us know how you make out.