Evinrude Etec G2 Hydraulic Leak

bobhuberman · March 19, 2022, 09:26:50 AM

This is actually an update to the tilt problem I had during winterization. Last fall the engine after being moved to the horizontal continued overnight to move downward until the skeg touched the ground. Took the boat to an Evinrude dealer to remove what he said was air in hydraulic lines. Two days later I put the boat in the water for the first time this season. There was oil on the water from my running engine. I figured it was from having oil in my cylinders as part of winterization. Three hours later after fishing and moving several times the engine tilt didn't want to fully move upward. I was able to get the boat on to the trailer and out of the water OK. Then I made a mistake. I lowered the engine to drain water and couldn't get the engine back up. While trying to raise the engine a stream of hydraulic fluid (pink?) flowed down from the engine. I could envision the skeg hitting the highway at 70 mph going home. Luckily, a man with a bass boat and a couple of teens drove up. The four of us were able to lift the engine and get it on the built-in support. My rig is back at the Evinrude dealer (almost two weeks now) who contacted the factory. He talked about just replacing a seal or the whole "middle" unit. He said it would take a long time to fix if the "middle" unit has to be replaced. The work should under warranty. It doesn't look like I'm going to be using my boat for a long while. Anyone had a similar problem?

Mike Cork · March 22, 2022, 08:24:30 AM

Not a similar issue but just wanted to say sorry your having to deal with this with the weather warming. Hopefully it's just a seal that can be replaced and not a cracked unit. Keep us posted.

bobhuberman · March 22, 2022, 03:18:43 PM

Thanks. I'll talk to them tomorrow. Weather is turning nice and would really love to get back on the water.

bobhuberman · March 30, 2022, 04:37:01 PM

According to the mechanic a seal needs to be replaced. He has no idea why it failed. Now he's waiting for parts. Evinrude should still have some hydraulic seals left in stock. Hoping I get my rig back this week but it's been slow every time I've taken the boat in so who knows? Hate to miss spring fishing.

bobhuberman · April 08, 2022, 06:09:23 PM

Over a month in for repairs. The last thing I heard was some component in the hydraulic tilt assembly has a crack and they are waiting for a part to arrive. But, now it's back to no one answering the phone and no call backs to the messages I leave. It doesn't appear that Evinrude really cares about all the people they left in the cold with their abrupt stopping of outboard motor production. I have no idea when I'll be back on the water again.

Mike Cork · April 12, 2022, 09:50:35 AM

I don't know if there is any truth to it, but I heard from another angler that just bought a boat with an evirude on it that Mercury was going to help with warranty repair? I'd keep beating on the number, even go to the store. It's going to come to a point that parts are simply not available, so the squeaky wheel is going to get the few parts that are left.

I hate that you're in this position.

D.W. Verts · April 12, 2022, 10:05:14 PM

I think that there are laws in place for these kind of issues, or at least there was when OMC went bankrupt in 2000. A call to the BBB might speed things up? This is a terrible time of year to be without a boat. Maybe the worst time. No, DEFINITELY the worst time. Good luck!

Dale

bobhuberman · April 14, 2022, 10:03:44 AM

Not being able to fish now hurts but just talked to the people fixing the boat. The part has finally showed up. It will be repaired next week (fingers crossed!).

bobhuberman · April 21, 2022, 11:57:35 AM

4/21. Parts are in but now the mechanic is in the hospital. I guess I need to find a new outlet. Maybe knitting!

Mike Cork · April 25, 2022, 12:39:57 PM

Man that is just terrible luck. I hope he's okay. My mechanic went in the hospital and didn't make it. Rest his sole, he was a motor's best friend (at least mine).

Sorry you're having such trouble. Do you have farm ponds close by?

bobhuberman · May 01, 2022, 08:15:13 AM

I think I'll be getting my boat back in the next couple of weeks. Tech can't do the work but will be on hand to assist whoever does the actual work. My main concern now is the gasoline put in last November. I put in fuel stabilizer but still the gas has been in the tank a long time. There's some small lakes or ponds in some of the local parks but fishing there is more for brim than bass.

Oldfart9999 · May 01, 2022, 12:04:52 PM

If you used the correct amount of stabilizer you'll be alright.
Rodney

bobhuberman · June 04, 2022, 07:50:56 PM

My E-tec tilt problem is finally fixed under warranty. Only took three months. Now the hydraulic steering isn't working. When I first discovered that turning the steering wheel didn't more the engine the Evinrude mechanic said it was air in the lines. He lowered the engine and after many turns of the wheel the engine moved. Today I put the boat on the water. At idle and low speed, I was able to turn the boat but as soon as I tried to go on plane, I found I had to fight to get the boat to turn. Really scary and dangerous. I tried the several times and finally put the boat back on the trailer. It probably is air in the lines or maybe not enough hydraulic fluid. I'm taking it in to my regular mechanic rather than the Evinrude dealer. It will cost me, but the boat won't sit for weeks or months. I'm too old to start messing around trying to buy another boat and engine but it is tempting. It's only my kid's inheritance after all.

Mike Cork · June 06, 2022, 09:58:25 AM

Glad to hear the trim is fixed. Hopefully the steering is quick. A bleed is simple but finding how the air got into the lines isn't always cheap. Steering fluid is leaking somewhere, maybe at the cylinders and some good ole fashioned Vaseline can get you back in the game after adding some fluid and bleeding the air.

bobhuberman · June 07, 2022, 07:34:29 AM

Trim is fixed, BUT now the steering is not working. Had the boat out on the river to check out the tilt and when at speed turning the wheel didn't turn the boat. Scary! Boat at my regular mechanic (Not Evinrude). He bled air out of the lines but now the wheel keeps turning after the motor is at full turn. I don't think that is normal. I believe when engine is fully turned the steering
wheel can't be turned further. He's checking with a different Evinrude dealer to see what's normal. I hate to go back on the market looking for another boat (w/o an Evinrude) plus have to sell mine which until it's fixed, I really can't do. I may have to take up quilting.

Mike Cork · June 07, 2022, 09:03:28 AM

That's not normal, Steering can get difficult at full trim and WOT but that's the reason they invented hydraulic steering. Hopefully your local mechanic will get it figured out. Sounds like your trim/tilt unit may not have been filled/bled completely, preventing the trim part of it from working properly.

bobhuberman · June 07, 2022, 04:27:13 PM

Boat is back with the Evinrude dealer. Steering may be due to a faulty or unconnected sensor. Also, heard that there had been a recall for a steering problem. Dealer will be checking out the steering, hopefully, soon.

7/7 Boat going back to dealer tomorrow. Everything looked good yesterday when I picked up the boat but today on the water lose steering when going up on plane. erratic movement when out of the water. Sometimes can't move the motor unless power on or engine running. Dealer is going to contact factory to see about replacing the whole steering unit.

bobhuberman · August 02, 2022, 08:25:29 AM

Waiting to hear from the Evinrude tech about taking the boat out for a test run this week. He used an Evinrude computer to find the problem and fix it. I haven't fished in four months. I hope this time it will finally be fixed and back to normal.

Capt. BassinLou · August 02, 2022, 08:31:05 AM

Quote from: bobhuberman on August 02, 2022, 08:25:29 AM
Waiting to hear from the Evinrude tech about taking the boat out for a test run this week. He used an Evinrude computer to find the problem and fix it. I haven't fished in four months. I hope this time it will finally be fixed and back to normal.

Good luck, hopefully they resolve your issue soon!! 4 months is looong time.

Mike Cork · August 02, 2022, 08:35:56 AM

Good Luck! I sure hope this tech got it fixed permanently for you. 4 months is a very long time when waiting on a boat. It's enough to make me start flipping tool boxes in a mans shop...

I was there once 20 years ago and it wasn't pretty and a very bad idea that got me into a lot of trouble and had to find a new repair shop

Your patients are remarkable and I hope Karma pays you back with amazing fishing trips in the near future.

bobhuberman · August 09, 2022, 02:03:11 PM

Thanks. Still no resolution of the problem. Tech thinks the hydraulics in the engine are good. They are now looking at the SeaStar unit in the steering component forward. Evinrude dealer is scratching his head too. I suggested that Evinrude replace the whole motor like with a Yamaha. I sure hope the problem is fixed by September. I've only fished twice and caught four bass this year.

Mike Cork · August 12, 2022, 10:17:38 AM

Wow, at some point I reckon you need to get with your bank and see if there is some kind of lemon law in your state. Not being able to use your boat for it's intended purpose for a year? That's like buying a new car but it's sitting at the dealer because they can't figure it out, just give me a different car...

bobhuberman · August 24, 2022, 11:32:20 AM

The engine and hydraulics worked fine for three years. Last Friday I picked the boat up and took it to a different Evinrude dealer. I was told by my regular mechanic that he couldn't work on it as it requires some special tools that Evinrude dealers have. I'm hoping the I'll have a working boat again by September with the fixed under warranty or not. Seven months is a long time to get a boat fixed.

Mike Cork · August 24, 2022, 03:21:52 PM

Special tools? What are they trying to change?

bobhuberman · August 25, 2022, 08:55:19 AM

According to my mechanic it's the hydraulics which are under pressure and need some kind of special tools or measuring devices. Maybe he just didn't want to mess with it and that's his excuse. Anyway, I hope this other dealer can fix the problem whatever it is. I have no idea how long it will take this time. Been there a week so far.