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Seadoo GSX engine problems

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teddytuffnut

teddytuffnut

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Hey Guys

Im new to this forum and have been really enjoying reading about the resto's people are doing on these older seadoos... So the story with mine just purchased a 1997 GSX with 69 hrs on the clock. I love the ski however since purchase been having lot of problems with the ruunning of the ski. I bought the ski very cheap from a guy who seemed tgo have absolutey no idea about. it. He did however have an incoive from a seadoo dealership showing it had had the carbys fully rebuilt and all the fuel lines replaced plus all new filters etc. I bought the ski without seeing it run but after seeing the recent work that had been carried out i was a little bit confident .

I went and fitted an new battery and took it out on the water the ski ran great for the first hour of riding. Then when i went to start after the ski had been sitting it wouldnt start and i had to be towed back to the jetty... Got the ski home and was able to get it running by putting some fuel down the intake. I then visually checked the fuel system ensuring no air leaks and that all clamps were tight. I have then taken the ski out today after putting in fresh fuel.. It started up fine on the trailer but was very difficult to start in the water took me about 15 mins to get it running.

I eventually got it running after several attempts. With each attempt to start i removed the plugs and checked them with them being slight fouled with fuel. I eventually got away up the river and it seemed fine then i began to loose power it wasnt bogging down or hesitating it just seemed down on power... The ski than stopped with what seemed ike a weird clunking sound. I pulled up and removed the plugs and they were a brown colour and completelty dry. I was unable to get the ski restared so i loaded it up and took it home. I was then able to get it started again at home by pouring fuel down the intake and after several cranks it fired. Now it wont idle and is running very rough... Im thinking the motor is toast and is probably low on compression and i will test these figures when i get my compression tester.

Sorry for the long first post but is there anything else i should be checking.... I will also check the carbs again even though they were rebuilt about 12 months ago.

Thanks for the help guys this is a really great forum

Dave.
 
On the right path. Compression test is the next thing to do. Post your numbers when you get them.
 
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Also your fuel valve and filter could be suspect. The pulse line for the fuel pump in the front carb is another possibility
 
Fuel valves are prone to failure. I would bypass it to ensue that is not the issue. Also, the water separator O-ring fails as well and allows air into the system but does not leak fuel. Check it out well.
 
I never trust the "just rebuilt". As others said check compression first before you move on to the fuel system.
I am all about spending the $200 to overhaul the entire fuel system on a new to me ski. I would rather ride them than chase problems for the season.
 
thanks for the all the info guys i will do a compression test to start with and then go from there... I will report back as soon as i get the readings.....
 
Hey Guys

So i've been able to do a compression test and the results aren't good.... Mag 145psi pto 20 psi. So it's rebuild time im thinking of doing it myself not sure if i just do the top end or do a full rebuild whats everyones thoughts??

Dave
 
is it worth completely striping the motor and inspecting the crank aswell?? also does anyone know any good machinist here in sydney ??
 
I would pull the head as it is easy. Look for obvious damage. If you can't see any, pull the top end. I would not pull the engine unless you must. If you do, you'll need an alignment tool. Have to pull the pump, and align the engine.
 
At 69 hours your crank should be good to go, but if that cylinder died because of lack of oil then it could have smoked the bearings on the crank also. Are you pre mix or oil injection?
 
okay thanks for the input...im still thinking that pulling the motor and atleast inspecting the bearings cant be a bad atleast i will then know what im up for... i know its more work however i want to make sure i do this properly as i dont know the history of the ski.....in saying that what is a good aftermarket piston kit i could use to rebuild the top end??
 
You most likely have a carb problem causing a lean condition. Like coastie said pop the head and take a look. If you dont see any thing that has come apart then a top end will probably have you back in buisness. If I was youns I would pull the pump and drive shaft and remove the pto just incase you need a bottom end before you remove the top end so you can check the crank real good
 
Hey Guys

After much thought on what to do ive decided to pul the motor and take a look at the crank... i know its more work however i dont know the history of the ski and dont want to do the top end to later find the bottom end has a problem aswell.... Look out for a GSX resto thread... Cheers
 
okay guys here are a few pics of the engine and the damage I've found... The most obvious is the piston and the damage to the side of the piston and rings. I'm thinking a lean seizure or could it have been overheated.?The crank bearings are toast and are noisy and rough to spin as is the bearings on the counter weight shaft... There is white powder through the motor and also quite a lot of sand in their as well.. How does sand get inside the motor...??The pistons are the original size so should i go oversize? You can see in the picture of the cylinder there is slight damage to the rave valve I'm not sure if it has contacted the piston.... What is everyone's thought on what to do with this motor not sure if i should rebuild it or not ?I've seen on ebay the WSM full rebuild kits are they any good.... Cheers

? IMAG1141.jpg
IMAG1133.jpgIMAG1136.jpgIMAG1134.jpgIMAG1135.jpgIMAG1140.jpgIMAG1143.jpg
 
It's a 2-stroke. Anything your pump picks up goes into the engine. Very common for sand to go in and not come out as it settles in the low spots. This causes very poor cooling and hot spots. This is why 2-strikes need to be flushed after rides. I matter salt water or fresh water rides.
 
Hey Guys,
So am I doing something wrong? I know I'm only new here but I would have thought the experts around here would have chimed in by now and given me some advice on this engine? I thought by adding some pictures it would have gotten a lot more discussion. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
 
Looks like the rave hit that piston a long time ago. You 100% sure that is a stock bore on the broken piston? If it was bored out, and the rave wasn't shaved, that's what happens.
I'm surprised it even ran after that damage.

I can't tell you anything about that kit, I haven't bought one, but looks decent enough. Being way down there, I have no idea what options you have available locally. If the parts are local, a kit, or an engine may be the best option.
 
yeah its defiantly the standard bore pistons have 81.89 stamped on. yes i believe the position has contacted the rave but how does that happen with a std bore?
 
So your piston is eroded from heat and is actually melted away. It is not mechanical damage from hitting the rave valve. It looks like enough of the piston eroded away to let the ring out of the groove and that piece of ring is what damaged the RAVE valve.
That piston probably went from that carb running lean because it was dirty.

The WSM kits are good but not the best. I have run their top end and gasket kits for stock rebuilds for 20 years. Never tried their cranks.

Best is OEM and you will have to bore the cylinders to at least the next size over depending on how bad they are.
 
teddytuffnut said:
Hey Guys,
So am I doing something wrong? I know I'm only new here but I would have thought the experts around here would have chimed in by now and given me some advice on this engine? I thought by adding some pictures it would have gotten a lot more discussion. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Click to expand...

You are doing nothing wrong. We have entered the winter season and most are winterizing and or rebuilding.

Just be a bit patient due to the season. I still check in several times a day. But there are others that have a much greater knowledge than I do.
 
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