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Update on my 01 Utopia 185 200hp- Engine trouble

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JeromeM

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Hi All,

I had a recent issue where the engine just died on the boat so I brought it to the shop details here: http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=18600

It was a fuel pump issue but while checking it they found Cyl 5 had low compression. I thought that was odd because it was doing 50mph no problem (on the gauge not "true" GPS speed) However here is what it was doing occasionally:

-It would be at say 3/4 throttle with a constant speed, then the engine noise would change, it would get deeper as if I had let off the throttle but I never touched it, then it would go back to normal.
-It did this the first half hour I had it out the first time but then was fine the rest of the day

Now today we put it in the water after it being at the shop and it would not go over 30mph :( At first it was going pretty good but I didn't want to punch it but it made the same engine noises however this time it stayed on the lower pitched sound and would not go over 30. It STRUGGLED to plane and get to 30 even with just me in the boat.

:(

So, looks like I might need a new engine. First just in case I will change the plugs and wires next weekend and try and test the compression myself, maybe I will be lucky but I doubt it.

Bear in mind, I bought this boat for $500 from my boss, it sat in the water for years without being used much at all. Then prior to me buying it the boat was stored for 2 years. It was winterized/de-winterized by a marina every year and prior to me buying it the marina de-winterized it and did a water test so it sucks they didn't catch something like this.

I spend $1300 on a brand new galvanized trailer with swing away tongue and LED lights which I could re-use on a different boat if I had to. A package like that here boat/trailer of the same year is 12-14k so I am ahead big time.

Anyways, keeping that in mind here are my questions:

1-Do people on boat engines rebuild them like you would a Seadoo/Car etc. where I would just take the engine out, get new oversize pistons/rings get it machined get new gaskets/seals and rebuild it?

2-Where would one get these parts to do this job?

3-Is there a service manual that helps with how to get the engine out of the boat? for the most part it would be fine just unsure how it's connected to the drive system.

4-Is it worth it, how much do you think it would cost?

5-Are there used/reman engines available?

6-Do I sell it to someone for a couple grand with full disclosure of engine problems and buy another boat?

7-What are your thoughts?

Even if I put a couple 4-5k into it on a rebuild it's still will have cost me 50% of what it's worth and who knows even buying a different one at 12k might still get problems.

Sorry for SUPER long winded post.

Thanks!
Jay
 
Ok, I went up to the cottage this weekend and started on the boat Saturday morning. I checked compression on all 6 Cylinders, they were all between 120-125psi. I immediately noticed something wrong when I saw the black engine paint on the plugs...meaning they were original from when the engine was built, and they looked BAD.

I called the shop where I had the boat 2 weeks ago and told him that I checked myself and it had equal compression on all 6 cylinders, he suggested it was because it now had oil in that cyl and it was sealing everything up...LOL I then asked him about the plugs and all he said was "naw, we didn't think of changing them" Lesson learned, I am never going to that place again.

Ok, so in the small town where the cottage is I was able to get 6 new plugs, they were NOT cheap. I put in 6 new plugs with some Dielectric grease, ensured everything was put back properly. Then when I was about to put the engine cover back on I noticed the crank sensor was unplugged...it was REALLY hard to get that plug to clip but I did.

I started the boat, idled for a while, then went 10mph for about 10 minutes, seemed to run great so I opened here up, no hesitation at all, nice engine sound, it was windy but was able to get to 45mph on the gauge. I was happy but skeptical that this was the only thing it needed.

Later in the day I went out again in the boat and performed great again.

This morning the wife and I went for a nice 1 hour ride around the lake, cruising at 30mph the engine purred like a kitty. Opened her up, it was calmer today on the water and it actually went over 50mph with no hesitation at all.:cheers:

So, for the price of 6 plugs, it looks like it's fixed.....I'll keep my fingers crossed. Either way, the engine isn't toast like the shop said it was. If I wasn't mechanically inclined I would of had them replace the engine....

I'm so happy!!!
 
That is awesome to hear. I'm glad you took the time to look at it yourself rather than take the word of a shady dealer. I found it strange that you took it in to have the plugs changed and they told you out of the blue that it had one cylinder down on compression.

Aaron:cheers:
 
Well, the engine died so I brought it in there to diagnose but that was just the fuel pump fuse. I assume they found the compression when they were doing their checks.

The weird thing is, he never said it had NO compression, he just kept saying "it doesn't even register 100psi" but my compression gauge starts at zero so why wouldn't he say it had "60psi" instead.

My friends all think he unplugged the crank sensor to make it run like crap, either way not going there again!
 
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