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Bought new (Well older) 1997 SeaDoog GSI off Craigslist and it won't start

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there are plenty of knowledgeable guys here that can help for free. i'll never take my seadoo to a shop again! now that i have a scan tool.
 
I took the advice from a previous post in this thread: "finding a local shop that will give you an hour and go through the basics is my suggestion, get it started for you or diagnose why it won't, make a list of things that need done, if this is your first PWC its almost a given that you'll miss something that could be critical."

Just to get that heads up, and see what's up.

Turns out it is the starter

We did pull the plugs while I was with him, and we turned it by hand, and there was a slight scraping noise when turning, he said the bearings might be going
It did sit (says the previous owner) for 5months, is that sound normal?

Hopefully the starter replacement ($100 for the part+labor) gets it going to use a bit
 
It did sit (says the previous owner) for 5months, is that sound normal?

I meant to say, is that sound normal for it being sitting, obviously i doubt it's a normal sound
 
No GOOD starter is $100. It will be a foreign built item and they are pretty much junk. ONLY the OEM starters seem to hold up. If you open your starter up, you will likely find that the brushes are gone. Order a brush kit and install it.

I KNOW what will happen here. Lets see how accurate I am in about 2 months or so. You will do the $100 because it is available and the dollar amount isn't bad. In about 2 months you will have a poor or no start situation. Especially if you do any engine work and increase the compression. Not trying to be-little you, trying to educate you. You will find probably 1000 posts on starters and junk starter issues.
 
Basically your mechanic bought you a Chinese starter that might last 3 starts and then your stranded on the lake



96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!
 
SBT does sell some decent items, their starters are only marginally better than the cheaper brands. Starters and starter solenoids are two of the few items that you really should use OEM products.
 
I snapped the shaft off of a non oem starter and got stranded. It snapped right in 2



96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!
 
Sorry guys if you disapprove of my advice. IMO there were several obvious clues as to why I made that suggestion.

Ps. No fan of sbt starters myself either.
 
At this point....get the starter put in and get it on the water. Make sure you got a rope. I do have good used OEM starters in stock I would procure one sooner or later if it does indeed work good once you get it to the water.
 
If you are in need of a starter, I would STRONGLY recommend you purchase a good used one from Mintonka4me. Check with him, he likely can put in a brush kit if needed. This would give you your original starter and another good OEM starter. Then rebuild the one that is out.

For some reason, starters on Seadoo product need to be of OEM quality. Almost nothing else hold up.
 
The reason is cheap chinese starters suck is they are made with inferior steel. The brushes are softer and the springs are too heavy as well.
 
So the new starter is in, just picked it up.

The old starter was a SBT Starter that was frozen and inside had salt water damage (Go figure).

I will be testing this in the morning in the water.
 
Did you at least attempt to start it on land after the new starter install?



96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!
 
Yes, it started up

The mechanic showed me a jet pump vibration that said needs attention ASAP
Just didn't want to divert this thread with that
 
Did he look at the fuel lines? If they are grey, you're riding a ticking time bomb



96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!
 
That should have a single carb. Just go but some 1/4 inch fuel lines from any auto parts store. Then go to home depot and grab some stainless steel hose clamps. Take one line off at a time and cut a new piece to the same length and replace. In about a hour and $30 you will he good to go.
 
Yes,,, if you have the Grey Tempo fuel lines, they MUST be replaced. As well as clean the carbs, the plastic filters in the carbs, and the fuel selector valve.
 
Let me know what you find with the pump, I have a good driveshaft, new and used props, pumps...whatever you need to fix it.
 
took it for a test ride yesterday, and it ran good for the hour test ride....

didn't get a chance to check the color of the fuel lines yesterday, will do today

There is the vibration at the jet pump, not sure what that is yet too
seems like it vibrates more when I at a stand still then giving it gas to start off to get going
or maybe it's still vibrating when I am going 40mph and just don't feel it at that point
 
The pumps will rattle a little, they have an anti rattle kit but it is just a spring on the inside of the cone on the pump. Glad to hear it ran good. Definately change those lines out quickly. It will not take long and you will be saving yourself an motor.
 
Driveshaft is likely bent...they get bent when people suck up ropes. Get it out and roll it on a smooth surface and check it like a pool cue.
 
So today I put my ski in the water all ready to take off, and put the Lanyard in, and didn't hear any beeps. When I pressed the start button, there was only a small faint clicking noise.

Pulled the sea doo out of the water and brought it back to charge the battery for a few hours, Lanyard put in, now beeps, and then the starter just starts spinning and doesn't engage engine.

Searched the forums, and see it points to "Starter Bendix"

Does the starter from SBT come with a new bendix already on it?

Is this what you guys were mentioning before in this thread about these chinese starters going bad.

ugh:facepalm:

any quick fix on this without having to take it back to the mechanic/shop that put it in
 
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