RESTO Starter making a loud click noise

[sam_]

Hi everybody, I’m new to this forum. I have a 2003 seadoo Gti Le rfi which I bough last year. After I bought it it stopped cranking and makes 1 loud click noise when I hit the start switch. I ended up buying a new starter and it fixed the problem for a few weeks. Haven’t started it in 6 months and it’s making that same noise again. I bought a new starter and it’s still making that loud click. Any ideas ?

 

[sam_]

I’d post a video but it’s not letting me

 

[hfgreg]

I’d post a video but it’s not letting me

Upload the video to youube then paste the link here.

 

[sam_]

Thanks for the reply. Here’s the video.

 

[CrocDundee]

My seadoos do that when a connection is loose or the battery is low.

Does the engine turn over OK by hand (slowly) using the driveshaft? That one seems a bit solid, hope nothing is jammed in the engine.

 

[mikidymac]

Yes, first things first.... Pull the spark plugs and make sure you can turn the engine over all the way by hand.
Second have the battery load tested as a weak battery will do this exact same thing.
Third what starter did you buy? All of the aftermarket ones are junk.

 

[sam_]

After removing both spark plugs it turned easily with the oem starter. Got a nice surprise when Oil shot up a good 10 feet in the air and all over the place lol. How bad is this ?

 

[Chester]

Time to replace the crankshaft. Your crank seals are leaking.

Chester

 

[sam_]

Any idea what it would cost to rebuild the engine?

 

[CrocDundee]

About 4 days if you have the tools and have not done it before.

Add a rebuilt crankshaft as the seals are in centre and us mortals cannot rebuild crankshafts. They will probably take yours in exchange.

Get the correct oil as mentioned above, but I don't run pure seadoo oil.

 

[sam_]

I don’t think I can do it myself. How much do you guys think it would cost me to have someone rebuild it for me

 

[mikidymac]

Your only reliable sources are directly from seadoo for $1100 and SBT for about the same with shipping. Seadoo is better but SBT has a warranty.

 

[sam_]

Your only reliable sources are directly from seadoo for $1100 and SBT for about the same with shipping. Seadoo is better but SBT has a warranty.

Thanks for the reply. I don’t know if it’s something I can do myself. Any idea how much would a mechanic charge ?

 

[mikidymac]

If you can even find one probably more than the ski is worth.