What happened with my 2002 GTI

[Petey NMB]

I bought a used 2002 GTI LE, it seemed to have low power, but I replaced the impeller and wear ring, added some Sea Foam and it ran really well for 200 yards and then just died. I could not restart. The pistons move some but I cannot get the direct drive to spin completely around. Any thoughts on what is going on inside the engine or causing it not to crank?

 

[JeremyD615]

Well first, don’t use Sea Foam on a two stroke... Nothing good can come from using fuel additives in these things.

Second, you need to pull the spark plugs and then try to turn it over by hand. Does it turn freely then, or can you feel it binding somewhere?

 

[Petey NMB]

It is binding at a point, pistons move but only a part of a stroke. I can push on pistons and rock it a little back and forth

 

[JeremyD615]

Is that with the jet pump on the ski, or with it removed from the ski?

 

[Petey NMB]

no jet pump on ski

 

[JeremyD615]

Well if the pump is off and it’s still locked up, then there is definitely some mechanical damage. How did you use the Sea Foam? My first thought would be a lean seizure, but it’s possible you’ve had a balance shaft failure or a crank bearing failure as well. It sounds like you’re going to be pulling that engine to diagnose...

 

[mikidymac]

Or rotary valve failure. Yank that thing like a tooth.

 

[JeremyD615]

Yep, rotary valve is definitely a good possibility! I was mixed up thinking you had a 951 ski, so you don’t have a balance shaft to go bad, but you could definitely have something binging up the rotary valve...