One Minute Flying Across the Lake, the Next Minute -- Being Towed to the Dock

[Puppypantz]

Hi -

Curious as to the first place to start with troubleshooting. The 1996 Seadoo Speedster I just bought from a co.worker was running great on Memorial Day. However, when I took it out yesterday, 5/29, it did great until I started to hear a bogging sound and a slow lost of power to the engines. I slowed down. Let the engines idle, tried to accelerate, and received a rev as if the propulsion was going to happen (RPMS rose), but then the engines shut down, with some bogging / coughing sounds. Start/Stop would turn over an engine, but then it would bogg and die.

Any suggestions as to where I should start first? Replace Spark Plugs (even tho they were just replaced on 5/4)? Clean the Fuel Filter? Add Marine Stabil, some more oil and fire it up again?

Or is there another sequence of steps I should take on my own or just run it over to the shop and have them diagnose ie am I wasting my time doing any troubleshooting on my own?

Thoughts / advice, very appreciated.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

This might be a twin engine boat and both engines are exhibiting the same issue? First, check the oil tank should not be empty if still using the oil injection system. Look for signs of oil puddles in the bilge, indicative of an oil line leaking. If an oil line is ruptured and/or leaking, the supply of lubricant will be disrupted.

Otherwise in the case all is normal, I vote for a fuel supply issue. Backtrack on previous work done, such as the fuel/water separator cup o-ring, these tend to leach allowing air to enter into the fuel system thus fuel starvation occurs.

Also, don't forget the fuel tank must have fuel and the reserve shutoff valve must not be turned off.

Normally, I keep my oil tank nearly 1/2 full of the correct type of engine oil, seadoo XPS2 API-TC full synthetic 2-stroke oil.

 

[Coastiejoe]

If both engines quit, you need to be looking at the fuel tank. Likely a fuel baffle issue. Very few things can affect both engines. Water in the fuel and it a fuel tank issue is where your issue is.


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[Puppypantz]

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the advice. !!!

 

[Coastiejoe]

We are only awesome if we are right,,,,

I truly do think it has to be fuel. If you can crank the engines than you know you have a good battery and connections. If you want to experiment a bit, get a little bit of fuel and oil mixed in a container and pour it into the carb, see if it runs for a moment. If so, you will KNOW it is fuel related.

 

[racerxxx]

Check Items #30 they are the fuel strainers. #15 is the fuel selector switches you could be low and need to switch to reserve.

 

[Puppypantz]

Thanks for the spec .... super helpful.

 

[Puppypantz]

Well, I don't know if this a red flag or a "normal" sound .... I just reconnected the battery after charging it overnight. (Bear with me, totally new at Seadoo ownership.) Prior to reconnecting I: 1. Made sure that all switches were off. 2. That fuel valves were off. 3. No key inserted.

When I reconnected the battery, still adhering to the 1, 2, 3 steps above, I hear this little buzzing, humming noise inside of the engine; as if something is "on."

Is this normal?

 

[Puppypantz]

Nevermind - I just figured out the root cause. Disregard this red flag / normal post.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Nevermind - I just figured out the root cause. Disregard this red flag / normal post.

Was it the solenoid by chance?

 

[Puppypantz]

No, thought that too at first. Then realized it was just the sensor for the pump. (Dumb moment in my disappointment, jumped the gun.). Next up, tackle the main reason I posted to this thread. Will advise with an outcome.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Sounds good. I was thinking bilge pump was running. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Strizzo]

you sure you didnt run out of fuel or forget to turn the fuel on? happens to the best of us

 

[Puppypantz]

Hi-

Well...after the 50pt inspection and sucking up gas fumes as I explored the engine.....the realization occurred. My gas gauge is broken and the obvious happened.....all the gas that was left inside the resv was the reserve. !!!!

Conclusion: ran out of gas!

Humble pie (insert here).

 

[Puppypantz]

...thank you for all the comments! Useful! Took the boat out tonight and ran like a champ! Back on the water again!

 

[donkey]

that has happened to a bunch of ppeople,dont feel alone! glad thats all it was.

 

[racerxxx]

Great, now that you got that under your belt, you won't let that one happen again--if you can help it.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

There's a fix for the fuel sender, but requires some work to remove the pickup from the tank and repair the sender.