• This site contains eBay affiliate links for which Sea-Doo Forum may be compensated.

2005 GTX 4-Tech starting issue

georgeu

New Member
Hello All.
First time post here, mainly because I've not had any issues with my Sea-doo (not what I can say about my old Yamaha). My 2005 is "new to me" for about 4 years and has been running great. I bought it from a mechanic who took care of it but he's no longer around. Here's what I'm looking at and can use some guidance as to where to go/look next.

I'm up north so my skis were winterized as usual. About a month ago I uncovered them both, opened them up to air out and cleaned them off. My GTX turned over a few times and then fired up so I let it run for a little while and then stopped it. My 1999 Yamaha needed a complete top end rebuild so over the next month I worked on that and got it back together and that now runs fine.

Now I go back to my Sea-Doo and I just get a basic clunk like there's not enough juice. Battery was older so I replaced that and while I was at it, I replaced the starter solenoid. Still get the same type of clunk like it want's to turn the engine over but can't. I removed the plugs and same results. I don't want to start digging into replacing the starter if that's not it.

When I put the keyfob on the post, I get my two beeps and dash comes on. I have no error codes and my fuses seem fine. I cleaned up the ground a little and made sure they were tight.

Any guidance as to where to look would be appreciated.
 
Hello All.
First time post here, mainly because I've not had any issues with my Sea-doo (not what I can say about my old Yamaha). My 2005 is "new to me" for about 4 years and has been running great. I bought it from a mechanic who took care of it but he's no longer around. Here's what I'm looking at and can use some guidance as to where to go/look next.

I'm up north so my skis were winterized as usual. About a month ago I uncovered them both, opened them up to air out and cleaned them off. My GTX turned over a few times and then fired up so I let it run for a little while and then stopped it. My 1999 Yamaha needed a complete top end rebuild so over the next month I worked on that and got it back together and that now runs fine.

Now I go back to my Sea-Doo and I just get a basic clunk like there's not enough juice. Battery was older so I replaced that and while I was at it, I replaced the starter solenoid. Still get the same type of clunk like it want's to turn the engine over but can't. I removed the plugs and same results. I don't want to start digging into replacing the starter if that's not it.

When I put the keyfob on the post, I get my two beeps and dash comes on. I have no error codes and my fuses seem fine. I cleaned up the ground a little and made sure they were tight.

Any guidance as to where to look would be appreciated.
Does it roll over by hand with the plugs out?
 
Thanks for the reply. Not sure how to do that. Didn’t see that in the shop manual. Let me know how and I’ll try. One new thing I just noticed today that when I place the key fob the dash cycles, I get the two beeps and the dash shows “south” which is what I have it set for. After I press the start and it makes the sound like it’s going to turn over, the dash cycles again, shows “key” for a few seconds and then shows “south” again and I get the two beeps.
 
Thanks for the reply. Not sure how to do that. Didn’t see that in the shop manual. Let me know how and I’ll try. One new thing I just noticed today that when I place the key fob the dash cycles, I get the two beeps and the dash shows “south” which is what I have it set for. After I press the start and it makes the sound like it’s going to turn over, the dash cycles again, shows “key” for a few seconds and then shows “south” again and I get the two beeps.
Just reach down and twist the driveshaft you should be able to turn the engine
 
Just reach down and twist the driveshaft you should be able to turn the engine
You won't be able to turn the engine over like this. You can pull the pump and put a tightly fitting 12 pt socket on the end of the driveshaft and turn over with a ratchet.
That clunk is what it sounds like when the engine is hydrolocked from running it on the hose without it running.
 
You won't be able to turn the engine over like this. You can pull the pump and put a tightly fitting 12 pt socket on the end of the driveshaft and turn over with a ratchet.
That clunk is what it sounds like when the engine is hydrolocked from running it on the hose without it running.
Thanks for that. How bad/hard is it to resolve the hydrolock? I’ll check the manual but tips are always welcome. With my 2 stroke I’m used to hooking up water hose first so I won’t make that mistake again.
 
I haven’t had a chance to look in the shop manual yet but since the motor is cooled by the antifreeze, why does running the hose cause a problem? I thought the hose water was for cooling the rest.
 
never mind. Definitely hydrolocked. Pulled all the plugs and while turning over, water shot out of them. I know I’m screwed but how screwed am I? Any good tips for getting this taken care of or is there even a fix without totally taking apart the motor?
 
never mind. Definitely hydrolocked. Pulled all the plugs and while turning over, water shot out of them. I know I’m screwed but how screwed am I? Any good tips for getting this taken care of or is there even a fix without totally taking apart the motor?
Suck the water out of the cylinders with a shop vac. I’ve had water in cylinders before it’s not that big of a deal. Make sure the oil is clean and the motor rolls over free.
 
Suck the water out of the cylinders with a shop vac. I’ve had water in cylinders before it’s not that big of a deal. Make sure the oil is clean and the motor rolls over free.
Thanks for all the help. Running to town for whatever I need to get this done. Once I figured it was hydrolocked I was able to do some searching and found the other threads dealing with this (really never heard of it before) so I'll plan on a few oil changes, get some Seafoam and whatever else I need. This is my fourth ski, second SeaDoo and I've not ever had this happen before and you can bet I won't make the same mistake again.
 
Back
Top