93 Seadoo SPX Crank Seal

[barborshop]

UPDATE: Pretty sure the crank seal (?) is bad. If it sits for a bit, the flywheel will spin with the starter, but is sticky in one place when I try to turn it by hand. Is this DIY anymore?


I picked up a ‘93 Seadoo SPX that (allegedly) ran before purchasing. When I got it, it was in a million pieces, and missing a few. I started from the ground up - rebuilt the carbs, rebuilt the starter, replaced the gas lines, fixed a leak in the rotax oil line, replaced exhaust gaskets, went over all connections thoroughly. When I go to start the ski with a fully charged battery, the flywheel cranks on the initial try, but no spark. After that, just a dull thud on consecutive tries. When I pulled the spark plugs, the plug closest to the front emitted some white smoke. Kind of a at a loss here - is this as simple as a spark plug problem or is it pointing to something deeper? Thanks

 

[JJinSC]

This is exactly what mine was doing and it was hydro locked from oil leaking past crank seals. Take both spark plugs out and the starter should crank the engine over. Put rag over spark plug holes and see if oil comes out. If so, keep doing short bursts of cranking until all oil is out.

 

[barborshop]

This is exactly what mine was doing and it was hydro locked from oil leaking past crank seals. Take both spark plugs out and the starter should crank the engine over. Put rag over spark plug holes and see if oil comes out. If so, keep doing short bursts of cranking until all oil is out.

That was exactly it. I’m seeing now it’s a known problem. I’m gonna put the ball valve on the oil line too. Thank you!