Seadoo GTX 1997 speed problem

[R1ck]

Hi everyone! I'm a new owner of a Seadoo GTX 1997. I don't know the exact model and what kind of engine it is. The only thing I know that it's about 800cc.

The problem is that sometime (randomly) when going full speed (wide open throttle - 55 MPH) and doing a 360 or a big turn, and going back to a straight line (wide open throttle), it won't go past 25 MPH with the RPM @ 6000+. The only way to fix it is to stop it, wait 5-10 minutes and start it again. Just restarting it won't fix it.

Also, when starting it, I get a warning "12v battery low". Can that be the problem?

Finally, is 55mph the normal top speed of a GTX 1997 800cc?

Thank you very much!

 

[brock1]

first 55mph....mmmmmm NO maybe 50 or so on a good day....as far as your issue it sounds like you have cavitation....when you take offf from a stop does it rev up rel high but no go fast kinda like you doing a burn out ...check the clearence between your impellar and the wear ring it should be no more that.040 basically the thickness of a dime

 

[R1ck]

first 55mph....mmmmmm NO maybe 50 or so on a good day....as far as your issue it sounds like you have cavitation....when you take offf from a stop does it rev up rel high but no go fast kinda like you doing a burn out ...check the clearence between your impellar and the wear ring it should be no more that.040 basically the thickness of a dime

it's kind of slow to take off.. yes it rev up alot and seems to be slow when I take off. I don't know anything about these machine so I can't check the impellar and the wear ring. How much would it cost (average) to repair if it is the impellar or the wear ring?

Thanks!

 

[brock1]

wear ring about 50 bucks and im guessing thats the issue ...i would bet money its the wear ring as long as your impellar looks good...FYI 50 bucks is if you do it yourself with the help of the forum...we can wal ya through it its easy

 

[S_eadoo]

I had exactly the same experience. My GTX was running fine until I went into a hard turn. Then I could not get it above 25 mph at WOT. I thought I broke something until I noticed that the Forward Reverse selector was raised up about 1 inch. I think the water caught the reverse gate and pulled it down. I moved the lever back into the forward position and it immediatly picked back up to speed. I suspect that if you have a problem with the wear ring it would happen all the time.

 

[LoyolaCub68]

it's kind of slow to take off.. yes it rev up alot and seems to be slow when I take off. I don't know anything about these machine so I can't check the impellar and the wear ring. How much would it cost (average) to repair if it is the impellar or the wear ring?

Thanks!

Removing the pump assembly from the back of the GTX is really easy. It is literally a series of bolts accessible from the back of the ski. Once you have it apart you can see pretty clearly if the wear ring and/or impeller is damaged. I had very similar symptoms as you, especially the decreased power through turns. It ended up being a bad carbon seal and bent driveshaft. I suspect the previous owner had sucked up a rope or something. Additionally, I had a torn boot which was allowing an abnormal amount of water into the ski.

I did all of the repairs myself and it took me about three to four hours. The whole set up is pretty straight forward. The parts are between $200 to $300 plus figure around two to three hours of labor if you bring it to someone. If there is wear ring damage add another $50, significant impeller damage you can't file down could set you back another couple hundred depending on what you go with. When you are taking the impeller apart, you'll want to note the condition of the bearings and color of the pump oil. If there are problems there and you are not doing the work yourself it can get expensive really quick.

 

[R1ck]

I moved the lever back into the forward position and it immediatly picked back up to speed. I suspect that if you have a problem with the wear ring it would happen all the time.

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[brock1]

if its the wear ring it will do it all the time....