What is Evinrude E-TEC?
Evinrude E-TEC includes both new technologies and improvements to existing technologies. We've built these technologies onto existing and proven - durable, reliable platforms. For example, our 2-cylinder 40 through 60 horsepower Evinrude E-TEC outboards are built on the mid-section and gear case of the 55 horsepower Commercial series outboards. In fact, the Commercial outboards are the basis for the outboards the U.S. Navy Seal Teams and U.S. Marine Corps Recon Teams rely upon during their assigned missions. The 3-cylinder 75/90 horsepower Evinrude E-TEC outboards are built on the mid-section and gear case of the 60 degree V4.
What does E-TEC stand for?
E-TEC is not an acronym, it doesn't stand for anything. E-TEC is the name we have chosen to apply to this new technology.
Is Evinrude E-TEC a 2-Stroke or a 4-Stroke technology?
Evinrude E-TEC is the best of both technologies. It provides the quiet, efficiency and cleanliness many customers associate with the 4-stroke outboards, combined with the torque, throttle response, quick acceleration and raw power associated with the 2-stroke outboard. The technology is considered 2-Stroke, Direct Injection. Evinrude E-TEC in fact, has cleaner exhaust emissions than a 4-stroke, it produces 5 to 10 times less Carbon Monoxide (CO) while idling or trolling.
What is the new technology used on Evinrude E-TEC outboards?
Evinrude E-TEC uses several new technologies. The most obvious, when looking at an Evinrude E-TEC outboard, is the fuel injector. It is not a solenoid type injector, like the Evinrude DI models Bombardier began producing for the 2002 model year. This injector design requires less operating current to activate, meaning we are able to use smaller electronics which operate at cooler temperatures. Cooler running electronics equates to durability. The injector has fewer parts and requires fewer tight tolerances, which lowers manufacturing costs.
What about the not so obvious technology?
What's not obvious about Evinrude E-TEC is what's inside the engine block. Evinrude E-TEC incorporates pistons made from a new alloy, which was developed by NASA. This alloy has proven to be 2 to 3 times stronger at operating temperature than the aluminum alloys pistons are traditionally made with. The pistons used in the 40 through 60 and the 75/90 are what's known as "full-skirt" pistons. The internal design of the block (the intake, exhaust and transfer ports) doesn't require machining "port windows" into the piston. This combined with the new alloy, increase the piston strength and durability.
What else have you done to the internal engine components?
We still use the time-proven method of lost-foam casting our engine blocks, which are then CNC machined for accuracy. Chrome faced piston rings, Boron-Nitride Honed bores, micro-ground crankshafts and large over-sized bearings contribute to the low-friction design. The connecting rods are taken from the 60 degree engine family.
What about the rest of it? There has to be more than just a new fuel injector and engine block, right?
As stated earlier, there are improvements too. Just as the electronics in our home & office PC's have advanced and become smaller packages, so have the electronics (microprocessor) in our engine management system. The improvements Bombardier initiated to the Engine Management Module (EMM) beginning with 2002 production, such as a 30% thicker pc board and increased cooling for components, have been designed into the EMM for the Evinrude E-TEC outboards. Additionally, our Engineering Team has incorporated diagnostic LED's into the housing, allowing basic troubleshooting to be performed without diagnostic software. A flexible casing and 60% smaller size complete the package and provide a clean, state of the art, under-hood appearance.
What have you done to make the engine so quiet?
Our Engineers designed a new air intake system for these engines. The intake system serves to quiet engine noise. An idle air by-pass tube supplies air to the crankcase at low rpm. There are no holes machined into the throttle plates, therefore no whistle sound at idle. Innovative baffling in the air silencer box cancels resonant noises. Unlike other manufacturers' outboards, there's no distinctive "pucka-pucka-pucka" sound of an air compressor, or any belt whine, or any cam chain noise - we don't use them.
How much do the E-TEC outboards weigh?
The 40/50/60 models are available only in a 20 inch shaft version which weighs 240 pounds. The 75/90 models are available in both a 20 inch shaft version which weighs 320 pounds and a 25 inch shaft version which weighs 335 pounds. The 200 through 250 models are available in a 20 inch shaft version which weighs 516 pounds, a 25 inch shaft version which weighs 524 pounds and a 30 inch shaft version which weighs 530 pounds.
What about battery charging?
On 40 through 90 models, the system will supply 3 to 5 amps at idle speed and can provide up to 25 amps at higher rpm. On the V6 models, the system provides 10 amps at idle and up to 50 amps at higher rpm.
Do I need a battery to run a rope start Evinrude E-TEC outboard?
No. A battery is not required to run the rope start models. However, if you have electrical accessories you want to operate and would like to take advantage of the charging system, the capability is already there. In the event of a battery failure with an electric start model, the engine can be rope started and run without the battery.
Earlier I read this engine uses an electric fuel pump. It also has an EMM, which is basically a computer. How is such an electrically dependant motor able to start and run without a battery?
Simply put, just like any rope start motor, it generates its own electricity. To make a comparison, lets discuss the electrical system of a carbureted 25 horsepower 2-stroke for a moment. The basic system design has been around for over 25 years. Underneath its flywheel is a single charge coil, which produces the voltage to operate the ignition system. There's also a very small stator to provide electrical power for AC Lighting or optional battery charging and, there's a sensor coil which provides the ignition timing. Since Evinrude E-TEC doesn't need a charge coil or a sensor coil (because these functions are controlled by the EMM), a full-diameter stator which uses more windings compared to the 25 model above, is employed. Powerful rare earth magnets are used on the flywheel and, by adapting our patented switching stator technology, the stator is able to generate more current at lower rpm. The voltage required to turn on and "boot up" the EMM is delivered in a few milli-seconds. By integrating pulse width modulation technology (which has been used on electric trolling motors for decades), we are able to power up the electric fuel pump and not put an excessive demand on the electrical system while starting the motor. The EMM and fuel pump power up take place in the first third of a revolution of the flywheel. The EMM then determines crankshaft position via a sensor which "reads" the flywheel encoder vanes - all of this occurs within the first complete flywheel revolution. This leaves plenty of rope to pull and provides ample voltage to subsequently fire the injectors and ignition and get the engine running.
I read elsewhere on your web site Evinrude E-TEC engines can run up to 50 hours without needing to add oil to the reservoir. How do you define that 50 hour run period?
This is based on ICOMIA studies which have found the average recreational user runs their engine 50 hours per year and, for each hour of run time, they run their engine:
· 24 minutes @ idle
· 15 minutes @ 40% throttle
· 9 minutes @ 60% throttle
· 8.5 minutes @ 80% throttle
· 3.5 minutes @ full throttle
Therefore, if you idle or troll more than this, you may use less oil, or, if you run full throttle more than this, you may use more oil.
What propellers do you offer for the Evinrude E-TEC outboards?
The Evinrude E-TEC outboards accept our existing line of propellers. We offer a multitude of different props in both aluminum and stainless steel. The stainless prop line includes the 3-blade SST 2 (painted), the 3-blade Viper (polished), the hi-performance Raker (polished) and the 4-blade Cyclone (polished) and Renegade Bass (polished).
How does the Auto-Winterization feature work?
When the Auto-Winterization feature is activated, the EMM rapidly cycles the oil injector to "fogs" the engine. When the winterize cycle is complete (about 1 minute), it will automatically shut the engine off. Once the engine has turned off, turn off the key switch (if equipped), remove the engine from the water or from the flushing device and allow the water to drain from the engine. Your Evinrude E-TEC is ready to be placed into storage. The only additional item we recommend is to remove the propeller and inspect the propshaft and seal to ensure there is no fishing line wrapped around it.