Dealer screwed something up - cavitating badly

[Sandman_73]

Took my 02 GTX into the dealer in late January to address an oil leak off the back of the motor/PTO. Had PTO bearing, bellows, and new drive shaft needed to do the repair. I also had them replace the carbon ring while it was apart. They got me for a $1,000 to get out the door. Finally had a chance to get it out on the water yesterday and it appears the oil leak is addressed but now the thing cavitates so bad it wont get up out of the water if going in a straight line. Have to baby the throttle and turn to one side or another in order to get the boat to plane. After its up it goes fine. Prior to the repair the boat would cavitate out of the hole with anything over 1/2 throttle but it was manageable, now the ski is pretty much unusable. I will be calling the dealer first thing Monday however I am just outside of their "60 day warranty" on repairs. Should this be on the dealers dime this time or are they going to just stick it to me again? Its pretty obvious they did not water test this thing after the repair... Might just go somewhere else and cut my losses with this place.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Hopefully they will work with you. Especially if you can prove the hours are all but zero since you used it.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Yes, just explain to them you've not used it yet this is the 1st time and it didn't go well, they should want to make it right and if it was me, just charge for parts.

They really should splash and water test for that type of work, are they on the water? Sometimes it's just too cold during winter.

Sounds like impeller wear ring or carbon seal is leaking, could be they didn't install the jet pump neoprene seal.

 

[Sandman_73]

Will be calling them later today. I know they have ability to water test since they told me they did it in order to locate the original oil leak. I believe they have some kind of indoor tank/pool to run these things in.

 

[wfo speedracer]

That's not going to show up in the test tank, all they do in the tank is cavitate.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

i'm still trying to figure out how you got a dealer to do all that for $1,000.

 

[Sandman_73]

Also had the battery replaced and a couple of other misc. parts

Total parts = $650
Total labor = $363

The service guy I worked with doesn't work Monday's so going to call them tomorrow. Just realized I am only past 60 day warranty from the day I dropped it off not when I actually picked it up on 2/22 so should still be covered by the 60 day.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

yes, should fall under the 60, but based on your description, the actual problem is different than what was fixed, definitely sounds like a pump issue.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Yeah, if he can't actually ride it then there's no way he really can test it completely. But that might be okay with you, test it yourself considering especially he's been good to you on labor price. Many shops turn away older skis/boats b/c they aren't worth major repairs at shop rates, winter sometimes business is slow.

 

[Sandman_73]

All I know is when I took it in it did NOT cavitate like it is now. If they did not install/seal the pump correctly when doing the work then that it is their fault. The ski may be old but it only has 128hrs on it.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

That's the way I see it too, which is why I expect they will take care of the issue to the best of their ability. Could very well be the neoprene transom gasket is leaking and should've been replaced.

 

[Sandman_73]

Looks like I found the problem. Its going back...

 

[red2blue]

Oh Sht!...yeah..that's a fck up. They didn't test that before they gave it back to you either.

 

[clmboating]

That wear ring is completely messed up; at-least it's something small like that.

 

[red2blue]

uhm.....pump seal

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Yep, that's definitely going to allow air into the pump and ventilate the impeller.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

ya, and I wouldn't be afraid to ask that they don't use Billy Bob to fix his own mistake, but rather use someone that has a little more time under his belt.

 

[Sandman_73]

Dropped it back off at the dealer (Elk Grove Powersports) this morning and based on the picture and hours on the boat, admitted it was their problem and would take care of it. They have a local spot on the river where they water test. Said they would address the seal, water test it, and deliver it to my house (20mi away) in the next couple of days.

Had to stop in and check out the new boats while I was there and boy are they nice. A new GTX or RXT-300 may be in my future later this year

 

[Nike12000]

any follow up did they get it repaired?

 

[Sandman_73]

They dropped it off at my place yesterday afternoon and said it was water tested. Will likely be taking out on the water next weekend to verify for myself.

 

[LouSki]

Looks like I found the problem. Its going back...

I cannot imagine a dealer bolting the pump up and never looking in the grate to check. That would have been noticed right away when it was assembled.