2003 seadoo 4tec sc has white smoke and lack of power

[takrawchamp]

Hello, I have a 2003 seadoo 4tec SC got about 117 hrs on it. Always ran great until recently it lacked power, it produce alot of white smoke coming from the rear where the jet pump and where you put your hose to wash out the exhuast. oil went low and it takes forever to pick up speed. It feels like something is stuck in the propeller but there is nothing there. It starts up no problem Idol no problem either. Anyone has any idea what is causing the white smoke? Headgasket? Piston Rings? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[ski-d00]

Sounds like it has too much oil in it, that normally is what causes the white smoke. So why did the oil go low? And how much did you put in after that? Have you checked your sc?

Could be a lot of things. Need a little more info to go on. like exactly how it started and what you've done so far.

 

[takrawchamp]

Hello ski doo, When I changed the oil I put exactly 3 quarts of oil, which made the oil level exactly in the center of the dip stick where it measures. I started the motor and checked it several time before I took it out. I failed to mention though that when I changed my battery the wire that goes to the oil pressure sensor fell off. I took it for one spin around 5 mins and I got a P1202 code. I plugged it back in and the code went away. took it another round and that's when I started losing power. Thought I had something stuck in the propeller but when I took it out of the water there was nothing there. that's when I notice the white smoke when I started the motor. Checked the oil level and it went down a quart. took it home put in my left over oil from the oil change and still a gang of smoke coming out of the rear. motor idols fine, and the motor sounds normal. I am going to try changing the oil again and putting the real bombardier brand in there this time. I truely believe its the stupid oil that I put in there that the stupid dealership recomended. I know its really stupid of me but I believed them to save a little money. Its a Honda brand oil for motorcycle. its called GN something. I forgot. but yeah thanks for the respond I will let you know as soon as I change it out to see what happens. by the way my sc is stock and I never looked at it because it was never a problem. I read different forums and they say you have to change the kit after 100 hrs because the washer gets worn. I hope for the best, hope its just the oil because I do not want to spend thousands of dollars fixing this thing. Thanks ski doo

 

[devonte007]

The white smoke is normal on these machines and most boats. The hot exhaust gas is cooled by injecting water into the exhaust system which naturally produces steam or the 'white smoke' you see. This should only be coming out of the exhaust port at the back of the ski near the jet pump, but NOT from the jet pump itself. When you run it out of the water and see this smoke do you have the hose hooked up and turn one? If not, the exhaust system can heat up very quickly and vaporize any remaining water in the system which could come out as steam from the flush port around the jet pump. This is not good and you should not run it out of water without the hose hooked up, you will fry the machine in no time.

As for the oil disappearing, I have no idea. It is going somewhere and cannot be burned off that fast from worn cylinders or rings. If it was a bad head gasket, more likely that the oil level would increase and be contaminated with coolant rather than the other way around. Check your compression if you suspect a bad head gasket or cylinder problems. As long as you are using the correct oil weight recommended by seadoo, it cannot be the oil's fault.

You said the ski takes forever to pick up speed. What exactly is happening? Does the motor rev up to full and the boat goes nowhere, or does the engine struggle to reach full rpm? If the motor revs up but no go, then you have a problem with the jet pump or something else in the propulsion system. If the motor struggles to reach full rpm, then it is an engine running problem and likely your SC. Speaking of which, if you have the original SC washers (ceramic ones) get them out now. You are way overdue and they may have already exploded which may explain your engine troubles.

Good luck and let us know how the diagnosis goes...

 

[takrawchamp]

Yes, white smoke is normal, but when it comes out like im burning some wood I think there is a problem. LOL! I will definitely update you guys on this one. Thanks alot guys.

 

[Michael211_2000]

Pull the jetpump off and check the impeller for any foreign debris stuck in it... neither burnt engine oil nor water vapor will smell like wood, only wood smells like wood! LOL!

I presume you've looked inside the jetpump from under the hull and thru the exhaust nozzle, but there can still be something stuck in the pump you can't see everything without pulling the pump off (it's about a 30 minute job, and no rocket-science by any means).

You need to get your supercharger rebuilt it's not just the washer's that need replacing it's the bearings and seals that wear out! This isn't an item you want to skimp on, if it fails and comes apart it does so INSIDE of your engine case and can really ruin your day!!!

For the moment though, take the intake air hose off the supercharger and inspect in there for oily residue AND reach into the supercharger with your fingers and try to turn the air wheel in there... it should be near to impossible to turn by fingertip! If you can turn it by fingertip, the supercharger is probably in the process of failing... if you can spin it freely, it's already failed! And obviously if you find oil in the air hose then the supercharger's oil seal has failed at the least.

These are easy things to check, so please make a few minutes and check them before starting it again!

- Michael

 

[BMANN06]

Good info for you to start with the posts here, heres something else to check, since you are indicating serious white smoke and lack of power. It sounds like it could be ignition related to me. If your seeing a ton of white smoke it could be from lack of ignition in one of your cylinders or could also be an injector stuck open. Would also explain lack of power. Get the BRP oil in there and also examine your spark plugs maybe test ignition coils too. Make sure you getting a good spark with all 3 coils. I would expect you too see a fault code if it was that bad though but I have seen some finicky ecus.

 

[takrawchamp]

Hello guys I just wanted to update everyone about my issues with my seadoo. I took it in the seadoo shop and they told me that the smoke is coming from a leak from the motor somewhere, they told me they don't know where the leak is until they take the motor apart. they said it might be a seal or something. The machanic said there was oil leaking into the supercharger and the exhaust this is what causing the large amount of smoke and oil lost. The lack of power is coming from the third cylinder, because there is no compression.

I don't understand though the motor starts up like a champ. Anyone has any idea what seal blocks oil between the motor, supercharger and the exhaust? In addition, the number three piston is the one that is bad what usually cause no compression, but still the motor starts? Thanks for all the advice guys