Re: Dare I…ask an Etec question here?

[johnyrude200]

I installed the impeller myself and bought a spare, and now have a ‘quick teardown’ kit in the boat. It obviously put the kibosh on an otherwise good weekend, and the prospect of dolling out $500+ for SeaTow (like AAA of the big waterbodies) I’d rather just get somewhere on land and spend the 45 minutes doing the job myself…while enjoying a beverage or two and conversations with passer-by-ers.

I have actually gone to a format with all personal motors (and for customers who opt to have me upgrade their used refurbished motor) to add a tach/hour meter. They cost $10 from china and last about 3 years before the internal battery dies. They are waterproof too, so now I know exactly how many hours are on the motor. I install it on the inside of the motor so you don’t even know it’s there. With the older motors (10+ years old), I tell customers to change out gear lube every 25 hours and at the end of the season, and show them how if interested. I mean, for 5 minutes and $2, it may be overkill, but I would think that all but eliminates unnecessary wear and tear. And of course I pressure test all my gearcases before they leave my sight to somebody else’s ownership.

I put 103 hours on my Etec in just over 2 months last season (first new motor, or anything gas-powered, in my life for that matter). Without that tach/hour meter it’s leaving it to chance and I just rather avoid costly repairs of course.

On this topic…I have acquired a bunch of the newer style mid 2000’s 25hp johnson gearcases. I was wondering if these are basically the same as the newer Etec 30’s (I have a 30hp Etec). There are some things that are different from a quick observation, but I’m wondering if I have gearcase failure in my Etec, how much of the 25hp gearcases might be swappable (I am putting my money on the gears themselves…Forward/Reverse/Clutch Dog). Not too worried about seals with something that is only 1 year old.

Thanks guys,

Joel