Engine Delema

[Kuzma823]

Sent my skis into the shop to get some work done and they finished. They told me my 717 engine (in 97 GS) is sounding rough like a bearing might be bad. They told me to try and mix some oil with the gas to try and increase the lubrication but they told me the engine might need to be rebuilt soon. They asked if I always used Bombardier oil, and I do. My questions are:

1) I am thinking of switching to amzoil in ALL my vehicles including my skis. They have a PWC oil that they say can be used in Seadoos, has only one tried it? Is it better/worse/the same as Bombardier?

2) Assuming the engine will have to be rebuilt I have already started looking into options. I can rebuild it myself for around $600 or I can buy a rebuilt one for about 750(and up) but I would like to know if I can fit a bigger engine in my GS:rofl: If I have to replace the 717 I would like more power. Anyone know of a bored out engine maker? Can another stock engine slide right in? 787?

 

[seadoosnipe]

Nope.....

Sent my skis into the shop to get some work done and they finished. They told me my 717 engine (in 97 GS) is sounding rough like a bearing might be bad. They told me to try and mix some oil with the gas to try and increase the lubrication but they told me the engine might need to be rebuilt soon. They asked if I always used Bombardier oil, and I do. My questions are:

1) I am thinking of switching to amzoil in ALL my vehicles including my skis. They have a PWC oil that they say can be used in Seadoos, has only one tried it? Is it better/worse/the same as Bombardier?

2) Assuming the engine will have to be rebuilt I have already started looking into options. I can rebuild it myself for around $600 or I can buy a rebuilt one for about 750(and up) but I would like to know if I can fit a bigger engine in my GS:rofl: If I have to replace the 717 I would like more power. Anyone know of a bored out engine maker? Can another stock engine slide right in? 787?

No, you can't put the 787 in place of the 717. Not without changing out all the electronics. That would be too easy. BRP doesn't want you to mix and match.

Don't take the word of a repair shop that your engine is "sounding bad". Use a compression gage. If your compression is above 100 psi and within a couple pounds of each other, your engine is probably fine. I don't believe these guys can stand there and listen to a 2 stroke motor and tell a bearing is going bad. The 2 strokes aren't like a 4 stroke where you can hear the crank rattle if a main bearing is going out. The 2 strokes use roller bearings and the 4 strokes are using babbitted bearings. Big difference.

I think these guys might be looking to build your trust, so they can make a bundle on you the next time you take it in. I can just here them on your next visit, "well, looks like she's finally gone out on you!".

If you can hear a 2 stroke bearing rattle, it's too late to save it.

Amsoil is a high quality racing oil. It's also pretty expensive. You can run it if you want but I don't think you need to go to that extreme. Some places sell it locally, if that's the case, then you might want to change over to it.

I personally use the Quicksilver "Full Synthetic" low ash, non NMMA, non TCW-3 oil. Even though a complete change out of your present oil is supposedly not necessary, I did it anyway. The saying is, "you can go from mineral to blend, to full synthetic but you can't go the other way around". Synthetic oil is much more slippery and will decrease the heat from friction if your using a blended or mineral oil.

I'm not easy to trust these service places either but I'll keep my comments about them to myself. I didn't catch your year model but if it's older than a 96, then adding a bit of oil to your fuel won't hurt anything. It will add to your lubrication. Remember, do not use a TCW-3 oil.......:cheers:

 

[Kuzma823]

Thanks for the info! I am with you, I dont trust too many dealerships/shops myself. I know enough about mechanics that I am not completely ignorant and I have caught several shops spewing complete BS.

I will have to try the compression test but I am definitely going to add some oil to the next tank of gas just in case. I can not find the QuickSilver oil around here(Walmart doesnt carry it here) but I can get Amsoil and it is cheaper than the $50 a gallon the dealership charges for Bombardier Synthetic.

Not happy to hear about the engine swap issues but I do have a 1997 GTX as well (787 engine)... so if that sinks, then maybe I can put in a 787:rofl:

Thank you again for the info

 

[Chester]

If the bearings are noisy, it's hard to say how long it's going to last. It could go all season or it could only last a few hours. It depends of how bad they are. I find that most owners can't tell the difference as it takes a trained ear to hear it. Either way, get a second opinion from an experienced Sea-Doo tech.

One of my customers has 2 Kawasaki Ultra 150's. about a year and a half ago, I went to his place to winterize them and as soon as I started the first one up, I could hear the telltale whirring noise that bad ball bearings make. The customer couldn't really hear it and was a little apprehensive, until I started up the second Jet-Ski to compare with. It was very obvious when you compared it with a good engine. Actually, I was surprised that the customer didn't notice it before as he has 2 identical Jet-Skis.

Don't let it go too long. When those ball bearing fail, it will be catastrophic.

Chester