New to PWC, bought a couple used machines. What first?

[nateccnn]

I just picked up a pair of 2007 GTX Wake Edition, Supercharged. They had 108 and 110 hours when I bought them. I know the supercharger has to be rebuilt at 100 hours, but I took them out this weekend nonetheless.

I've never owned PWCs before and the only experience riding them was a rental for one hour back in 1998. I was hesitant buying these as I've always owned boats and find that socializing on the water is so much easier in a runabout. But I must say...I had a blast this weekend! These things are FAST!

Now I am in maintenance mode. I ordered the tools and kits to rebuild the SCs. You certainly don't save a lot of money doing this job yourself but I feel like I need to do this on my own the first time so I can learn how these things are put together.

I also bought two new ignition solenoids. One of the machines is giving me fits with the start button only clicks when pressed. Press it enough times and it finally starts. I'm going to replace both since they are the same age and hours and have been operated under identical conditions.

Now my question is relative to the jet pumps. When I flushed the skis after this weekends trip one of them had a slight rattle coming from the area around the jet pump. Have no idea if that's even an indication of a problem but it gets me to thinking about doing a rebuild. At the very least replacing the wear ring. But if I go in there to replace the ring, would it make sense to do a Rebuild also while I'm in there? How many hours do they go before needing maintenance? What symptoms do I look for to tell me it's time?

It seems to me, if I put in a bit of maintenance...ie...SC rebuild and Jet Pump rebuild, it will make these machines like new again. For about $1500 I could do both SCs and both pumps. Seems like a good insurance. But I'm not about throwing money away for no good reason either.

Nate

 

[ski-d00]

A little bit of pump rattle when it is out of the water is pretty normal, even for 4tecs. The pumps are very reliable and I wouldn't rebuild unless you have an issue. If you have cavitation or other pump performance problems, you can change the wear ring but if the pumps are working well there is no need to mess with them as they are pretty much maintenance free.

The solenoids fail constantly from that time period just as you described. Make sure to get the all plastic black replacement solenoid that can be found for $10 on ebay and proving to be very reliable.

 

[Coastiejoe]

www.PWCmuscle.com does the SC for $435 and that includes return freight. As you said, buying the tools is questionable at best. In fact, if you bought the cheaper eBay tool, they MAY last for two rebuilds.

Pump rattle out of the water is normal, as noted above. If they don't need anything, don;t rebuild them just because. that said, pull the cone and check for grease quality. I have two posts in the 4-teck sticky posts on how to pull them if you need help on that.

Getting the 07 and newer engine eliminates you from the 2004 to mid 06 exhaust valve issue, so good call there.

 

[nateccnn]

www.PWCmuscle.com does the SC for $435 and that includes return freight. As you said, buying the tools is questionable at best. In fact, if you bought the cheaper eBay tool, they MAY last for two rebuilds.

Pump rattle out of the water is normal, as noted above. If they don't need anything, don;t rebuild them just because. that said, pull the cone and check for grease quality. I have two posts in the 4-teck sticky posts on how to pull them if you need help on that.

Getting the 07 and newer engine eliminates you from the 2004 to mid 06 exhaust valve issue, so good call there.

I agree with your logic on having the professional do the SC Rebuild. My problem is I have a weird need to do things myself in order to learn. And if I break it and end up spending more to fix that, it's all good because it's just one more thing I get to learn.

I've had the same discussion with snowmobilers. They all suggest that I take my snowmobiles to one of the more reputable shops in the area to have work done. I do all the work myself. I have yet to break one of those. While it's not the same engine...the snowmobile has the 800 rev, the ski has the 1500 rev...they have a similar engineering theme about them. I have replaced the rave valves on the ski doo...are they the same as the sea doo?

When I hit that throttle my mind goes into the intake as I hear the ski or snowmobile or motorcycle breathe. It's just who I am. It makes me more aware of problems that come up before they become catastrophes. And turning a wrench is therapeutic for me.

I'm not doing this because of the money. But I do not throw money into the wind either. Yes, there is a budget element to this but that is not the driving factor in my wanting to do the work myself. I just need to know how it works and how to fix it when it doesn't work.

I read your posts on the cone lube. Nice write ups.

Nate

 

[Coastiejoe]

Like you, I do my own stuff. I truly like to know how and why things work..

When it came to the SC's, it just wasn't worth the "learning opportunity" in this case. That said, I have done lots of reading and research and know how they work,, LOL

 

[lamajama]

A little bit of pump rattle when it is out of the water is pretty normal, even for 4tecs. The pumps are very reliable and I wouldn't rebuild unless you have an issue. If you have cavitation or other pump performance problems, you can change the wear ring but if the pumps are working well there is no need to mess with them as they are pretty much maintenance free.

The solenoids fail constantly from that time period just as you described. Make sure to get the all plastic black replacement solenoid that can be found for $10 on ebay and proving to be very reliable.

I have the 2008 GTX. Is this the solenoid you're referring to?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Starter-Sol...ash=item4adbed1705:g:xzAAAOSwDk5UDyO1&vxp=mtr

 

[nateccnn]

Yup it is. Easy to switch out.

 

[nateccnn]

www.PWCmuscle.com does the SC for $435 and that includes return freight. As you said, buying the tools is questionable at best. In fact, if you bought the cheaper eBay tool, they MAY last for two rebuilds.
.

Nope...you're wrong about those cheap tools from eBay. Won't even last for two rebuilds. Retainer tool bent on the first super charger shaft nut. I was being super careful with it after seeing a video on how easy it bends.

So who makes a decent shaft retainer tool? RIVA has one that looks stout enough. Hate to order it and have it bend too.