Is this normal or did I get screwed?

[seefishydotcom]

First I want to say hello to everyone on this forum. I am new here.

I recently acquired a 1997 Seadoo sportster single engine. I was told it had a bunch of work done to it recently and was running great. I took it out a few times and it ran great. Then one day it started surging. I called the guy I got it from and he told me to take it to his seadoo mechanic. First I was told that too much water got in the hull and it needed a new stater, remember I took it in because it was surging at WOT. $200 later I have a new stater, Then he tells me the carbs sucked water and are shot and need a "head pipe gasket", OK that's fixed, then he tells me my CPU is shot and is not fixable but he has a brain from a jet ski that will work and he will sell it to me for the low price of $250.00. Let's keep in mind that he had my boat for a few weeks and it coast me almost $900.00. I get it back, take it out.....guess what.....still surging. I bring it back, and now it's the fuel selector valve...nope...still surging. Bring it back again, now it is the fuel pick-up. I have it back but it still surges. I took the liberty of putting in new plugs and gaping them correctly. You would think that would have been the first thing he would have checked. When the wind dies down I will take it for a ride and cross my fingers.

Today I see on craigslist (where he advertises) someone bashing him. Saying his work is bad and he rips people off.

Did I get screwed?

 

[wlittle]

First I want to say hello to everyone on this forum. I am new here.

I recently acquired a 1997 Seadoo sportster single engine. I was told it had a bunch of work done to it recently and was running great. I took it out a few times and it ran great. Then one day it started surging. I called the guy I got it from and he told me to take it to his seadoo mechanic. First I was told that too much water got in the hull and it needed a new stater, remember I took it in because it was surging at WOT. $200 later I have a new stater, Then he tells me the carbs sucked water and are shot and need a "head pipe gasket", OK that's fixed, then he tells me my CPU is shot and is not fixable but he has a brain from a jet ski that will work and he will sell it to me for the low price of $250.00. Let's keep in mind that he had my boat for a few weeks and it coast me almost $900.00. I get it back, take it out.....guess what.....still surging. I bring it back, and now it's the fuel selector valve...nope...still surging. Bring it back again, now it is the fuel pick-up. I have it back but it still surges. I took the liberty of putting in new plugs and gaping them correctly. You would think that would have been the first thing he would have checked. When the wind dies down I will take it for a ride and cross my fingers.

Today I see on craigslist (where he advertises) someone bashing him. Saying his work is bad and he rips people off.

Did I get screwed?

In short... Yes. But, before I can say that its all of the mechanics fault let me say this. I work with computers all day long. I replace alot of hardware thats bad too. Sometimes I even make the mistake of replacing a video card thats overheating instead of creating better air flow in the case and the problem will happen again in the future. It will happen. When you are troubleshooting anything, do remember that you are trying to solve the issue, but may find more issues on your way to discovering the one you are looking for.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes... that guy F---'ed you hard.

"The carbs got wet and are now shot"????? Please. It's a boat. Things get wet. If it was running before... they were rebuildable.

"The computer was bad"???? Where you getting your beeps when you plugged in your lanyard? (Probably were) It was fine.

That's why I hate most "Pro" mechanics. They only care about keeping their shop open.

 

[seefishydotcom]

When I pulled it out of the water I took it to him and it did do the two beeps when the lanyard was attached. Now it is jerry rigged with no digital protection from the lanyard.

Only complaint I had at first was the surging. Now it's the surging and the lack of damn near $900.

 

[thack]

Surging is usually a rich condition. Maybe you have a leaking squirter circuit?

 

[seefishydotcom]

It surges at full and half throttle.

I just need to find a new seadoo mechanic. Should I take it to my local seadoo dealer?

 

[thack]

It sounds like this guy took your money and didn't even touch your boat. If you had a lot of work done to it, any of the work done could be causing your problem. You might just need a carb rebuild. Maybe the main jet worked loose or something, you never know. A dealer or any qualified boat mechanic can do this for you.

 

[seefishydotcom]

When I got it back recently it would run fine on reserve but not on normal. I took it back to him and he told me it was the pick-up and he replaced it. It is not surging as bad as it did but still surging.

I was told the carbs were rebuilt when I got it but I don't know what to believe.

I am going to continue to use the boat but just not enjoy it like I should. Come winter time I am going to rebuild the carbs and replace the majority of the fuel system.

 

[thack]

I found this from Seadoosnipe's post.. Your high speed fuel mixture may be adjusted too rich.

External adjustments - Virtually all pwc carbs have a high speed and low speed fuel mixture adjustment screws. The adjustment screw positioned closest to the air intake (top) is always the high speed fuel mixture screw (30%-100% throttle range). The adjustment screw closest to the mounting surface (bottom ) of the carb is always the low speed fuel mixture adjustment (0-35% throttle range). As these screws are turned out, the fuel mixture is made richer. All adjustment settings are noted as "turns out" from the bottomed out position. That is, "1 turn out" means 1 turn from the bottomed closed position.

 

[thack]

Surging is when the RPMs go up and down rhythmically. If you're talking about the engine cutting out for a second or a "hiccup" that could be fuel delivery. Like a damaged fuel pump diaphragm or clogged fuel line etc...

 

[cmeason]

At this point, your best investment would be a bottle of lube! :willy_nilly:

 

[seadooya]

The mech, installed a "jetski" mpem, so now, you aint got a nuetral safety switch...thats great...uke:

Volt test the battery ,while hold'n about 5500rpm, see if your volts are around high 13's low, 14's, if not, replace the rectifer, and ur surging, will be done with.

Also, look at the front of motor, see if the paint is missing on the 10-12 bolts, securing the mag cover. Thats where the stator is, if not, you still have the same stator assy...

 

[seefishydotcom]

I took her out today for a spin, that didn't last long as my rear cylinder let go and now she doesn't run at all. Compression test showed 150 front and 100 rear.

Now I need to either rebuild, find a newer engine, or have a giant lawn ornament.

HEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPP!!!!


Note: She would run fine on reserve. My guess is fuel. That is while she was running.

 

[parrothd]

fuel selector valve is clogged up, replace it and have the entire fuel system re-checked when you rebuild the top end.

 

[seefishydotcom]

UPDATE:

Pulled engine myself. Took it to new ski mechanic near me. Having it rebuilt for $550.00

Got a call this morning from the mechanic and was told that my stator was not replaced by previous mechanic nor were my carbs rebuilt.

Thank you to everyone that chimed in on this thread. I think my boat is in good hands now.

I would like to give a big shout out to Phil's Ski Repair in Port St. Lucie, FL.

 

[parrothd]

check the fuel selector valve!

 

[seefishydotcom]

I am having that replaced too and all the lines blown out.

 

[thack]

Yeah, 100psi is kind of low. I hope you get it all sorted out.

 

[Cid6.7]

If I were you I'd go back to that so called "mechanic" & get YOUR MPEM back take the one he installed & ram it in his :willy_nilly:

Then take him to small claims..He needs to be taught a lessen

The 2 beeps you heard was the normal sound your going to hear when the lanyard is attached..

He basically took your $900 & made it less of a machine it previously was..

 

[seefishydotcom]

The MPEM is still in the boat but not hooked up and he "lost" my lanyard.

I am taking him to court in the near future and I also put up a post on this forum to steer clear of him.

 

[Badboyr6]

im sorry to hear about your misfortune. I hope he gets what he deserves!:boxing_smiley:

 

[TEEVILLY]

Man that guy screwed you bad sorry to hear about all the problems you have experienced with this boat. $550 sounds like a fair price on the rebuild however hope your luck changes for you.

 

[seefishydotcom]

To make things worse, I was screwed again by the guy I brought my boat to after him. He rebuilt my engine and gave it back to me with no warranty what-so-ever. It grenaded after two hours of use.


And to top it off I let his brother-in-law come stay with me because he needed a place to stay, and he drank all my drinks, ate all my food, and then dipped out owing me $400.00.


They both better watch their backs.

 

[RFoster130]

What exactly did he rebuild. What went bad on it? We are always seeing people rebuild or replace their motors to only have the next one lock up. You have to address the issue causing the problem.

 

[seefishydotcom]

After it locked up I brought it back to the guy who rebuilt it and was told that the carbs were running lean and it caused the rear cylinder to overheat and seize up.

When I took it to Dan @ Water Worx in Port St. Lucie (shameless plug) I was shown the problem, not just told. It turns out that water had gotten in the case and caused rust to form, which was the downfall on the rebuild. I was also informed that the cylinders were never bored, the piston kit installed was doo doo and the crank seals were never replaced.

Now were are sending the crank to SBT to be trued and welded, send the cylinders out to be bored .5 over, installing sweet top end kit, blocking off the pump and running Premix. And Dan is installing it all and water testing it to make sure it is done 110% before giving it back to me.

AND I HAVE EVERYTHING IN WRITING.