951 Issues / Years?

[doug123]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to purchase a 951 machine so I can pull the kids on the tube and have a little more power over the 787 which I currently own.

Is there a resource that summarizes the problems with the 951 throughout the years? I've been doing some digging it and seems as though these are the issues:

- Fuel lines need to be replaced.
- Exhaust will ingest water.
- Head bolts need to be re-torqued every 40 hours.

What I have not been able to find is - are these issues corrected in later years? I.e., in the 2003/2004 DI's?

Any help would be really appreciated.

Doug.

 

[Dennis]

Not to change the subject but if I were looking at 2004/2005 skis' to buy I would be considering the 155 h.p. 4TEC and would never dream of owning a ski with the D.I. Have you thought about a 4TEC?

 

[doug123]

Hey Dennis,

Thanks for the feedback.

I really love the simplicity, look (that 2000 in black is hard to beat) and light maneuverability of the 2-strokes. I mentioned the DI's as an example, but maybe they are bad?. I'm trying to understand what issues exist with what 951's from 1998 to 2004. The 4-strokes scare me because I'm completely in the dark on how to repair them and not sure I want to venture into the world as I have a decent handle on the workings of a 2-stroke.

Doug.

 

[ski-d00]

that's a good start but...

1. all the gray tempo lines are junk, not just a 951 problem.

2. the real cause of the exhaust ingesting water is because pipe weight is very heavy and vibration takes its toll on the mount bushings. once they start to wear, more vibration and the manifold/pipe joint leaks and even breaks bolts. change the bushings and get it aligned properly and it is very reliable.

3. Head bolts aren't a real issue but checking is always a good idea.

I'm not up on resources but I've had plenty of experience with them. The DIs have their own issues like voltage regulators and fuel pumps but overall it is a great motor, imo, but still need regular maintenance as they all do.

The 4tecs are much more complicated than the DIs. The DIs are a little misunderstood but are a very solid motor but get a bad rap when idiots try fooling with them.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I think Dennis was trying to say that in the 04-04 models, the 4-Tec is much better than any Di.
DI can give you fits and hard to diagnose problems unless you are experienced with them.

Try a 951 FI model instead.

 

[ski-d00]

the only FI 951 is the DI. I think you mean the 787 RFI, also a good motor but nothing close to the hp or torque of the 951.

 

[doug123]

Hey Guys,

Thank you for the responses.

Ski-d00 - Does your point above, #2, relate to all years the 951 was produced? (1998 through 2004) Here is a link I found previously that talks about repairing this I believe: http://www.sea-doo.net/techArticles/techArticles.asp?page=april

With point #3 the link below cites metal gaskets being used to seal the head's on the 951 vs o-rings used on other motors causing engine failure. Ever heard of this? Maybe a specific year?

http://www.jetworks.net/sde951faq.htm

By the sounds of it an '03 or '04 DI would be the most reliable 951 I could purchase? It could be argued that this would make perfect sense, as the Bombardier makes improvements every year, but there are other factors.

Point taken re: DI vs 4-tec. Thank you.

 

[Dennis]

Yea ski-doo, part of the problem with the DI is lack of techs that know how to work on them and therefore not a very owner friendly situation. Most people who buy a DI ski (especially used) after awhile wish they had never laid eyes on it. There wallets are empty and they still don't have a ski they're happy with.

doug123, don't think because you have a good understanding of 2 strokes that you're gonna be able to repair a DI yourself. Odds are that is not gonna happen and you'll have to pay some else (if you can find them) to do it.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

The 1997.5 was the first 947 engine (951.2 is the actual cc on the engine). This engine was painted white and had a white pipe.
The 1998 engine was similar however painted grey with a few changes for improved reliability.
The 1999 engine went to having the oil pump cable bracket moved from the oil pump to the magneto cover.
Also in 1999 the carbs changed the fuel pump assembly setup
in 2001 the exhaust manifold was changed to accomidate a new rubber gasket vs the paper one used 1997.5-2000.
A rubber gasket surrounding the exhaust was also added to reduce the chance of a water leak causing water to be ingested into the engine.

but, that's about all I know of the 951 engines. (the 951 is the only ski/engines I work on)

You can add the exhaust surround to any engine, to prevent water ingestion in the event of an exhaust gasket failure.
I got 300 hours out of my '99GTX 951 purchased new before this common failure (which I didn't know about at the time) caused the top end to go... the engine just got tired of sucking down water.

 

[ski-d00]

99 also went to a dual coil set up instead of single coil.

the white 951 is quite a bit different and is a royal pain since it's pretty rare, only the 97.5 gsxl silver body had it.

 

[purple_people_eater]

the thing to remember with the 951 is: you pay for that extra power. and i agree with ski-doo, the di's are mis-understood. i com-pair them to jaguar cars, they're not total junk, there is is just alot of engineering put into them and it requires maintenance. get a good one that has been taken care of and you'll have a very fun toy, but get one that has not and you'll find the bottom of your bank account fast.

 

[doug123]

appreciate the feedback

Thanks guys - this helps out.

Is the compression supposed to be around 145/150 on the 951 motors. I believe this is the compression that the 797 should be running close to...

 

[purple_people_eater]

Thanks guys - this helps out.

Is the compression supposed to be around 145/150 on the 951 motors. I believe this is the compression that the 797 should be running close to...

about 130-140 on a 951

 

[bigtexan99]

changed to accomidate a new rubber gasket vs the paper one used 1997.5-2000.
A rubber gasket surrounding the exhaust was also added to reduce the chance of a water leak causing water to be ingested into the engine.
You can add the exhaust surround to any engine, to prevent water ingestion in the event of an exhaust gasket failure.
I got 300 hours out of my '99GTX 951 purchased new before this common failure (which I didn't know about at the time) caused the top end to go... the engine just got tired of sucking down water.

Can you tell me which number on this link is the 'exhaust surround' you are talking about? I want to check the condition of mine.

http://fiche.worldofpowersports.com/wps/showmodel.asp?Type=13&make=seadoojb&A=83&B=1

 

[Dennis]

It's not being shown there.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

274000862 Recovery Envelope