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Things to check on used older rxp/rxt

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kg93

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So i was originally looking for 2 older 2 stroke seadoos, but I changed my mind and im going to look at some rxp or rxt 215. Ill only be getting one of those though.

Other than hoping that the owner is telling the truth about the last time the supercharger was rebuilt what are some things i should be looking at?

Ill be looking for skis under 6k so the newest i will probably be able to get will be a 08
 
TEST RIDE............... Maintenance records to show work. I bought all my skis used and have had pretty good luck. you can have someone run the computer to see I there are any issues. If you buy used expect some work. Remember if it sounds to good to be true it usually is.
 
Proof, not their word about the SC being rebuilt.

Couple things to think about. 2004 to mid 2006 the 4-tech used sodium filled exhaust valves. They are known to fail. They fall into the engine and it is a $3000 to $4000 repair.

2098 RXT had tunnel issues. Take a good look there for spider cracking.
 
Rrm1387 said:
TEST RIDE............... Maintenance records to show work. I bought all my skis used and have had pretty good luck. you can have someone run the computer to see I there are any issues. If you buy used expect some work. Remember if it sounds to good to be true it usually is.
Click to expand...

I will definitely be doing a test ride if I can. Hopefully whoever I buy from keeps there records. I know I will have to do some work to make it perfect, I don't expect to find a perfect ski for what I want to spend.

Coastiejoe said:
Proof, not their word about the SC being rebuilt.

Couple things to think about. 2004 to mid 2006 the 4-tech used sodium filled exhaust valves. They are known to fail. They fall into the engine and it is a $3000 to $4000 repair.

2098 RXT had tunnel issues. Take a good look there for spider cracking.
Click to expand...

So it sounds like a late 2006-2007 would be the sweet spot.

How much would better valves cost?
 
09 is the best as far as the older RXT-X skis go. No valve, SC, or tunnel issues. Early 06 can easily have the Sodium Valves. It is many hundreds of dollars to make the swap. I think the valves are $35-45 each by them selves.
 
I can probably do the swap myself, I'm somewhat mechanically inclined. I doubt I would be able to find an 09 rxp or rxp-x for under 6k though
 
Coastiejoe said:
09 is the best as far as the older RXT-X skis go. No valve, SC, or tunnel issues. Early 06 can easily have the Sodium Valves. It is many hundreds of dollars to make the swap. I think the valves are $35-45 each by them selves.
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2009? I was under the impression that the 09's ALL had iBR issues ie failures.
 
Agreed but apart from the potential of a cracked tunnel or not and a possible motor mount issue at rear, both of which are not huge issues, I think the 2008 is a solid machine.
 
lamajama said:
Agreed but apart from the potential of a cracked tunnel or not and a possible motor mount issue at rear, both of which are not huge issues, I think the 2008 is a solid machine.
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I think you're correct. Especially when you're mechanically inclined!
 
Alright so I focus my search on 07-09 or an early year with valves replaced and the good supercharger washers
 
I've read some early build 07's still have the valve concern so I'd look for a later build in the 07 and do not take the PO's word for the SC rebuild.

If you have no proof of the SC rebuild, I'd assume it's not done and price accordingly.
 
Hahah so basically unless I find the perfect build date I should plan on replacing the valves.

Unless the owner has proof of the valves being replaced I'll have no way of knowing unless I take off the head
 
I'm fixing an '08 215 that just dropped a valve so while the newer valves are better. It can still happen. The point is that there is no perfect year and no guarantees that it won't have issues. Of course, better maintenance is always good.
 
No, not really...this is looking for the "ideal" used seadoo.

I have the 185 SC 2004 that has the valves and "knock on wood" I've had no issues and really no concerns about these valves as I'm not replacing them.

I do know the higher the HP, the more issues were had but it does not mean that all of theses machines crapped out otherwise Seadoo would have had quite an issue.

My machine is more used as a cruiser and not a lot of stress is on the machine so I'm hopeful....

In the back of my mind, I've a mind to move up IF I find a 255 RXT but I've read, listened and noted year by year issues and I've come to the conclusion that for me at least,
the 2008 is the year I'd like. As mentioned before, if the tunnel issue is not there by now, it's not an issue - and the motor mount if present is not a huge fix.

That's only my preference and research. Basically any machine comes down to proper maintenance and care previously and in many ways simply the luck of the draw...
 
kg93 said:
Alright so I focus my search on 07-09 or an early year with valves replaced and the good supercharger washers
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that would be my suggestion, when I started my search (which lasted almost 60 days with no ski to ride) I was pretty much looking at 07 and up.... found an 08 that had mods for under $4500, (imo he should have been asking $5500) I think I figured out why he had dropped the price, the Seal was leaking. It needed a few hundred to replace drivshaft/pto bearing/rear mounts, carbon seal, but I still think I picked it up at a bargain price. I wouldn't sell mine for less than 7K right now but I've dropped almost another grand into it since then.

If you get lucky in your search, you'll find a seller that was aware of the valve and washer issue and did the mod's while they owned it. I'd still say that 70% of the ones I see locally have NOT made the swap, but 30% is better than before.
 
Spimothy Leary said:
that would be my suggestion, when I started my search (which lasted almost 60 days with no ski to ride) I was pretty much looking at 07 and up.... found an 08 that had mods for under $4500, (imo he should have been asking $5500) I think I figured out why he had dropped the price, the Seal was leaking. It needed a few hundred to replace drivshaft/pto bearing/rear mounts, carbon seal, but I still think I picked it up at a bargain price. I wouldn't sell mine for less than 7K right now but I've dropped almost another grand into it since then.

If you get lucky in your search, you'll find a seller that was aware of the valve and washer issue and did the mod's while they owned it. I'd still say that 70% of the ones I see locally have NOT made the swap, but 30% is better than before.
Click to expand...

wish i could find a 08 for 4500 with a trailer lol. Everyone in Nj wants top dollar. Those are like 04-05 prices around here.
 
Coastiejoe said:
Look in the Florida area. Always more affordable. May be worth the drive.
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idk if my 11.5 mpg toy would agree with that!

but that all depends on the price. I've been looking at a 200 mile radius. Ill double that to see what I can find.
 
FL skis are more plentiful, lots of year round riding, lots of ski's. Salt exposure is a concern if neglected. Travel time & expense usually negate the lower cost and your better off being patient and stay within 400 miles. Have cash ready and be ready to travel, or make firm commitment, set up alerts on craigslist so you catch them right when they post up. Use seadoo sea-doo seedoo seadoos, (i've found several gem's that were mispelled and CL search is weak) try searchtempest.
 
yeah i use searchtempest. I haven't set up alerts yet though. I'll be seriously looking when i get back from vacation in two weeks. Right now i'm just more or less browsing.
 
I think your on the right track.

nothing against the older models either, except that 255 is pretty sweet, (and thirsty).

a 215 RXP is still a dam good ride, pulls plenty hard, will keep up with any pack of ski's and have nice styling, very comfortable to ride on flat water, suck in big chop. You should be finding those climbing down to 4K, we are starting to see them around $3500 and the bottom is slowly falling as people upgrade.

Florida is nice for what it is, high volume, buyer beware.

https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/boa/5557137243.html (scary)
https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/col/boa/5597144990.html
https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/boa/5526280235.html
https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/boa/5603853792.html I like the 07's
https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/boa/5592348292.html
https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/boa/5563029636.html

that took about 1 minute to find them, all within 120 miles. :)

The only one that really caught my eye were the stage3 (time bomb?) rxt and the 07 rxt.
 
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