Sea Doo LRV 2001

[vaoregel]

Hi Everyone! I am considering buying the old famous LRV 2001 with 114 hrs on a rebuilt engine.
Looking for some pointers on what to consider and look for before I make the commitment to buy. The unit is in fairly good shape, normal wear and tear on the hull and seats are still in good shape, not too much fade. My main concern was the "gray" fuel hoses I've read some review on, they say to replace? Why again? Also, on these Sea Doos, I noticed the garden hose is connected to the back side near the pump jet. Is it important not to run the water with engine ON or does it not matter on these skis? I know the Kawasaki you had to have the motor running before allowing water to flow.
This ski has been sitting for over 16 months, fuel tank was drained, but everything else still in tack. Spark plugs looked a bit burned, and the compression test came back at 130 psi for both cylinders. Are these considered good for this ski?
Also, is the Sea Doo synthetic oil a must on these or can it be mixed with generic synthetic from "auto parts"?

Thanks and hope to join this Sea Doo family.

 

[smc0922]

Ok the gray fuel lines must be changed, and the carbs will need to be pulled out and disassembled for cleaning. The gray fuel lines are not compatible with ethanol- the insides turn to gunk and clog the carbs.

You always start the engine, then turn on the water, and when you are done shut off the water then shut off the motor. Never have the water on with the engine off.

Compression is very good at 130, normal healthy engine there for a 951.

ALWAYS use Seadoo XPS full synthetic in this engine, NOTHING ELSE. Do not mix anything either- drain what is in the tank, clean it out and drain all the oil lines. Refill with the XPS and follow the oil pump bleeding procedure. I'd recommend changing the two small oil injection lines at this time, and check the oil feed line for stiffness, change it if it is. Replace the oil filter no matter what, now you know when it has been done.

I don't know why, but I want one of these yachts in my fleet!

 

[vaoregel]

smc0922,
Thanks for the reply! I think you answered my concerns. How difficult would it be for me (have technical skills) to replace the "gray" fuel lines? I dont think it would be much of an issue, other than probably spilling fuel inside the hull...:facepalm:
What type of hose would I use here and where to purchase?

If the compression is at 130 for both carbs, wouldn't that suggest the gray hoses are still in good shape and not clogged up the engine?
I guess I wont know for sure until I take out on the lake...whether or not the engine needs cleaning, right? The motor has recorded 114 hrs, so not sure what would need attention. Engine compartment looks very clean with no signs of leaks.

Thanks for the great feedback.

 

[vaoregel]

I am looking at another 2000 LRV that shows only 64 hrs on the motor. The problem I see here is the cylinder compression test came back with 110 psi. Now I don't k ow how much of an effect this had if the engine was not fully warm. It ran for about 10-15 sec prior to the test. Is this a big concern if the test was considered low? How difficult would it be to clean out the carbs? What is the main cause for low compression test ?

 

[Seadoobuddy]

smc0922,
Thanks for the reply! I think you answered my concerns. How difficult would it be for me (have technical skills) to replace the "gray" fuel lines? I dont think it would be much of an issue, other than probably spilling fuel inside the hull...:facepalm:
What type of hose would I use here and where to purchase?

If the compression is at 130 for both carbs, wouldn't that suggest the gray hoses are still in good shape and not clogged up the engine?
I guess I wont know for sure until I take out on the lake...whether or not the engine needs cleaning, right? The motor has recorded 114 hrs, so not sure what would need attention. Engine compartment looks very clean with no signs of leaks.

Thanks for the great feedback.

The gray tempo lines have Nothing, ZERO to do with compression. The gray lines will goo up and block fuel from going to the carbs correctly.

 

[vaoregel]

So a true test if the gray hoses are going bad would be a not so good running ski in the water?

What would cause low compression in the carbs?

 

[dbracela]

Compression isn't measured at the carbs. Compression deals with pistons and cylinders. You measure it with a gauge screwed into the spark plug hole. Pistons travel up the cylinder compressing air/fuel as it goes. When the plug sparks it causes a small explosion, pushing the piston back down, turning the crank. Same concept as your car. Excuse the poor description, but that's about as simple as I can make it.

The grey lines degrade with the use of fuels containing ethanol. They plug up the carbs causing poor fuel delivery. There's no real way around it, they have to be changed, and the carbs need to be cleaned. Not an overly difficult job. If I were you I'd always pick the machine with better compression over one with low compression, even if that means you'll have to change the lines. If the carbs need to be rebuilt, you can always pull them and have someone do the work for you, if you aren't comfortable doing it on your own. A machine with low compression will need an engine rebuild sooner rather than later.

 

[vaoregel]

My mistake, that's what I was trying to say regarding the compression test, just didn't have the wording down....
I ened purchasing the LRV with the better compression test, even though it had about 50 hrs more running. It just looked cleaner.
So I read that if I tremove the fuel filter (water trap) and if there is gum/slim buildup at this point, then most likely my fuel lines are deteriorating and need to be replaced. Would any fuel line hose from the local auto parts work as good replacement?
Also, read around that a good fuel cleaner should clean up the fuel system after replacing the hoses....like Sta-Bil treatment.

 

[smc0922]

Don't use a fuel cleaner, the carbs must be pulled and rebuilt. The fuel filter is at the beginning of the system, you won't find much in it. The little screens in the carbs are where the gunk builds up. Regular 1/4" and 5/16" fuel line from the auto parts store, NOT fuel injection hose. Post some pics of this thing!

 

[LouDoo]

I love those LRV's, it reminds me of a Buick Roadmaster Station Wagon.

Lou