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2006 rxt
- Thread starter Sea dog
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ski-d00
Well-Known Member
flywheel bolts is a common problem, but not common here since this isn't an overly technical site for the most part. hopefully, that doesn't offend anyone but we all know there are some more technical forums out there.
you can just put a piece of 2x4 under the left side of the motor to support the engine, fits perfect. no need for hoisting by the lift ring.
you can just put a piece of 2x4 under the left side of the motor to support the engine, fits perfect. no need for hoisting by the lift ring.
BMANN06
Well-Known Member
I haven't heard of the problem too often, possible that a year or so run from 4 tec factory had shotty bolts and most of them we're warranty covered?
Pretty obvious that some engineer(s) at rotax screwed up somewhere, if you've got shotty bolts on the flywheel and they're letting go, then decide to put better bolts in flywheel without beefing up the timing chain. That's a pretty stupid call ... something is going to let go ... if it ain't the bolts that give it'll be the timing chain that snaps right? Couple posts on that i've seen.
I'm thinking the tech. statement was offside ... but everybodys entitled to their opinion. Maybe should've just kept that opinion to yourself ... but whatever. Enjoy the 4th tomorrow.
Pretty obvious that some engineer(s) at rotax screwed up somewhere, if you've got shotty bolts on the flywheel and they're letting go, then decide to put better bolts in flywheel without beefing up the timing chain. That's a pretty stupid call ... something is going to let go ... if it ain't the bolts that give it'll be the timing chain that snaps right? Couple posts on that i've seen.
I'm thinking the tech. statement was offside ... but everybodys entitled to their opinion. Maybe should've just kept that opinion to yourself ... but whatever. Enjoy the 4th tomorrow.
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BMANN06
Well-Known Member
EDIT!! I'd like to retract my statement about the engineers at Rotax, (for those engineers ... sorry for running my mouth)
This was probably an accountant / share holder descion, I'll bet the engineers pointed this out and the descion was made to just recall the timing chains that fell inside the year of those sales.
This was probably an accountant / share holder descion, I'll bet the engineers pointed this out and the descion was made to just recall the timing chains that fell inside the year of those sales.
Michael211_2000
New Member
I've read thru Greenhulk forums too, and this is the 1st I've read of these bolts being weak so as opposed to say the ceramic slip washer issue in comparison this flywheel bolts issue must not be all that common.
However, taking the end off the engine where the pto and mag is is as good a place to start as any. The fault lies either in there or inside the crankcase itself, there's no other options on that point. If the OP can get the end of the engine off while still sitting in the hull and check those bolts then go for it! I still hold that even in an RXT it's still going to be tight working in there, but there is no easy way to fix this problem somebody's gotta do it.
- Michael
However, taking the end off the engine where the pto and mag is is as good a place to start as any. The fault lies either in there or inside the crankcase itself, there's no other options on that point. If the OP can get the end of the engine off while still sitting in the hull and check those bolts then go for it! I still hold that even in an RXT it's still going to be tight working in there, but there is no easy way to fix this problem somebody's gotta do it.
- Michael
Michael211_2000
New Member
I agree with Dennis, I don't believe there is any such keyway but do let us know what you find as you dig into your engine I'm very curious what could cause these symptoms!
Actually I don't think you can even call it a "flywheel" in any automotive engine sense, it's just a double-gear that the starter drives and that drives the supercharger. It doesn't have any weights or centrifugal properties to it, it's not got near enough diameter or mass to perform a flywheel function. I could be mistaken but I suspect the balance shaft assembly (which runs parrallel to the crankshaft and has it's own counterbalance weights) performs flywheel/harmonic balancer functions in the 4TEC engine.
- Michael
Actually I don't think you can even call it a "flywheel" in any automotive engine sense, it's just a double-gear that the starter drives and that drives the supercharger. It doesn't have any weights or centrifugal properties to it, it's not got near enough diameter or mass to perform a flywheel function. I could be mistaken but I suspect the balance shaft assembly (which runs parrallel to the crankshaft and has it's own counterbalance weights) performs flywheel/harmonic balancer functions in the 4TEC engine.
- Michael
Duane72
Active Member
If it's a safety campaign then the dealer should be having to do the repairs correct? Typically once a safety issue is identified and they put out papers on it, seadoo is responsible to repair the condition. If that's the case it may be worth a call to the dealer with the VIN and see if there are any open campaigns on the machine. Give them the symptoms and you may find you don't have to do the work at all, or get reimbursed maybe in this case. Not sure they will cover anything after it's already been opened up but worth a shot perhaps.
It's not apples to apples I know, but just for grins I called the dealer when a friend's four wheeler frame cracked. Didn't seem like a typical fail on a normal wear issue. Come to find out it was a common problem and the dealer put a whole new frame on it for $0 under a recall/campaign. It's ALWAYS worth the call before you go into any major repairs.
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Michael211_2000
New Member
Wow! That's just.... wow! :-o
Soft bolts or not what could cause them to shear off like that? The only load on them while the engine was running was the supercharger, waterpump and the magneto are any of those locked up? I'd think cranking the engine over with the starter would put more load on those bolts than the accessories which also run off the starter gear when the engine is running...
Well at least you know what the problem is finally and can fix it... great going! Hope mine never pulls that stunt. Eeek!
- Michael
Soft bolts or not what could cause them to shear off like that? The only load on them while the engine was running was the supercharger, waterpump and the magneto are any of those locked up? I'd think cranking the engine over with the starter would put more load on those bolts than the accessories which also run off the starter gear when the engine is running...
Well at least you know what the problem is finally and can fix it... great going! Hope mine never pulls that stunt. Eeek!
- Michael
My guess on the loads on the motor are either jumping the ski wide open or other things causing it to come unhooked and then loaded hard again. I see ski's getting pounded and abused everyday. I'm not saying Sea Dog did this but some out there sure do. It's like the guy that drops his ski off at my house and says it just quit while idling but plugging it in. The history in the ecu reads out that it was wide open for the last 60 secs. lol
Michael211_2000
New Member
$1K?!?! What else was damaged inside there? You didn't take the head off nor split open the case so you don't need new stretch bolts or a head gasket just a gasket kit... what besides the broken bolts and a gasket kit do you need? I'm missing something here... ?
- Michael
Michael211_2000
New Member
Maybe it's just my eyes but it looks for all the world like those bolts are slightly worn down at the break points and the remaining threads just pulled out? I'm wondering if they might have been broken for quite awhile and the remaining threads just finally pulled out of the gear on the end of the crankshaft? Could have broken at the factory even when being torqued down originally... that suxs!
Had they sheared off under operating stresses I'd think they would have broken right at the head of each bolt not further down along the bolt and then pulled out as can be seen in the pic.
- Michael
Had they sheared off under operating stresses I'd think they would have broken right at the head of each bolt not further down along the bolt and then pulled out as can be seen in the pic.
- Michael
Duane72
Active Member
Check his pictures again... I had to take a second look, but his stator was toast. Maybe he ordered a new flywheel instead of pulling the bolts? Both would be pricey.
Michael211_2000
New Member
I looked at the pics closely, I do not see what's breakfast food about the stator... for my info, can you explain what it is I'm looking for in that stator pic? It looked undamaged to me but I may not be seeing what you're seeing....
Thanks!
- Michael
Thanks!
- Michael
Michael211_2000
New Member
Ohhh! Never mind I see now it's been mashed the copper windings were damaged. Damn my eyes, I think I need lasics or something. Thanks for pointing that out yeah I bet that's the biggest single expense right there darn'it. :-(
- Michael
- Michael
Duane72
Active Member
Took me two or three times too. I don't even want to know what that must have cost. Liked your thought on the bolts too... about them being broken off further in. Really doesn't look like a sheer job. But maybe the threads start below the edge? Would hate to think it came tweaked from the factory, but no assembly line is perfect I suppose.
Sea dog
New Member
hi guys... picked up the parts today... stator was 317.00... starter ring..265.00 (kinda chewed up... dont know why) replace it anyway.. flywheel magneto 241.00 all scratched and dented from the broken bolts... replaced... and other misc clamps and crap... just about 900 bucks...thanks sea doo.. they ran my vin and there were no recalls...
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