Owners of 1999 and 2000 Evinrude outboard engines that have FICHT technology in the 200- and 225-horsepower categories should not use their engines, according to the new owners of the Outboard Marine Corp.

Bombardier, Inc., which acquired the bankrupt OMC this winter for $55 million, sent a letter to Evinrude dealers explaining that "these units may suffer fuel leaks that could potentially result in fire or explosion." The recall involves nearly 12,000 OMC-made outboards.

Bombardier will absorb all the costs of the recall, according to the letter signed by Roch Lambert, Bombardier vice president and general manager. …