Originally Posted by
scottar
Evinrude make their engine software and their service manuals readily available for public purchase (or if you hunt long enough it can be found online). I run a computer on my boat full time for navigation and also have the engine permanently connected for diagnostics - it's not difficult. Frequenting the owners group there are plenty of "home mechanics" that take on things like injector replacement themselves - you just need the injector co-efficient to enter in - that's where the good dealer relationship comes into it. Mercury not so much - asked at the recent Brissy show as I am considering the new V6 200 and was told "no" on the software. Plenty of older E-Tec's still around but there have been continuous improvements over the years - change to a different injector at one stage, different mid sections to allow for exhaust tuning valve lubrication, different mid section adaptor plates (may only be V6) etc. I believe they can be rebuilt but it's not something I have looked into - check the owners group. Opti's have had a reputation for compressor issues (they use compressed air in their fuel atomisation process) although just like anything these days, the failure happened to a mate of a mate's uncle's cousin's neighbour's cat's dog's motor on the internet so it must be true. Such is the legacy of E-bombs and Opti-pops. For every user with issues their is always the guy who has done thousands of hours without issue.