Reliability of 215 vs 155

[bradholst]

I'm buying a Seadoo primarily for tubing and skiing. I'm struggling on buying 215 vs 155 and don't want to underbuy with 155. But one dealer mentioned that the 215 supercharger requires more maintenance (every 100 hrs it must be tested) and is more acceptable to failure. Any comments on reliability between 215 vs 155 models?

Brad

 

[kustomkarl]

They both are reliable, but the Super Charged model needs a bit more maintenance, and will require a rebuild of the Super Charger Pump at about 100 hours, not tested...

Karl

 

[JRobson]

Just bought an 09 GTX 155 for this very reason. The 155 has more than enough pull for tubes and skiers. It will run according to it's spedo with both of us on it between 58-60mph. That's plenty fast for me and the 155 is virtually bullet proof. This is my second one of these. The first I had was an 03 wake edition with the 155.

 

[bradholst]

JRobson,

Thanks for the post. Very helpful. So why didn't you go with the 2008 Wake 155 version?

Brad

 

[JRobson]

I was able to get the 09 GTX for about $1,100 less. I would never have used the balast system they come with either. So, basically I would have paid the extra money for the ski pole which you can add as an option to just about any model. I'm just a recreational skiier and tuber, nothing major. Know what I mean?

 

[bradholst]

Went to Seadoo dealership but stopped by the Service Center first. The service manager stated that you'd be lucky if the super charger made 100 hours. Then I asked a lead salesman on the floor and he stated that you shouldn't have to replace the chargers.

Brad

 

[Linuxglobal]

Went to Seadoo dealership but stopped by the Service Center first. The service manager stated that you'd be lucky if the super charger made 100 hours. Then I asked a lead salesman on the floor and he stated that you shouldn't have to replace the chargers.

Brad

just in case others are searing google and come across this incorrect info i wanted to clarify the rebuild schedule.

1. If you have a 2004-2007 4tec supercharged they will have ceramic washers on the supercharger which have to be swapped out asap.

2. I have 70+ hours on my supercharger with metal washers and it hasnt given me any trouble. Besides when they go its not the end of the world, its not like the engine or supercharger blows up. All you need to do is take off the metal washers and put in new ones in place.

You can also get a rebuild kit to upgrade the entire supercharger for around 300$ to be safe for another 100 hrs.

Besides unless you run a rental service you cant have that many hours, mine is an 05 with 73 hours so ill reach 100 hours at what 7-8 years of use ? Its honestly an old ski by then.

People need to stop hating seadoo and just look at their own riding habits, if you are gonna run it at redline all day, dont expect it to last forever. Try doing that with any car out there

 

[got wake?]

linuxglobal is correct. that is some poor information from the service manager. from what i've found, as long as you check the torque slip of the SC every 30-35 hours and keep it in spec, getting 100 hours out of the washers is not an issue, as long as they are the metal washers. the older ceramic ones were the ones that didn't usually last 100 hours. you shouldn't ever have to replace the SC, but it does require to be rebuilt at 100 or so hours. keeping the slip on it within the recommended zone will help prevent premature wear and failure of the washers and keep it quite reliable.

 

[rkymtnman]

How do I check the torque slip of the SC? Is there a how-to somewhere?

 

[got wake?]

from what i understand, since i haven't done it yet, you gotta pull the SC, use the tool to lock the SC and use a torque wrench to measure the slip. 1 ft lb or 12 in lb per pound of boost is what you're looking for.

 

[rkymtnman]

Interesting - thanks. I am fine with the 100 hour rebuild - I generally put 20 - 25 hours on our skis every year but I like to "keep an eye" on my toys as much as possible.

EDIT: My apologies to Brad for the thread hijack. I can't *really* comment on the question at hand but I do have an '05 SC RXT and it has been bang up reliable thus far. I purchased it used with just under 60 hours on it and have put a bit over 20 hours on it this summer and it has not missed a beat. I will be dropping it off at the dealer for the 100 hour service early since I have not owned it since new and have no idea how it was serviced before. I am a supporter of preventative maintenance and doing my own wrench work but this thing is just a tad more sophisticated than the other toys I maintain myself / LOL.

 

[michael1]

my 2007 gxt 215 seized after 80 hours. We drive it conservatively. Dealer and BRP don't seem to care.