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

96 gsx engine died while running WOT.

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

fubada

New Member
Hello. My new SBT 787 died while WOT on the water. It's been running great all day then all of a sudden I instantly lose all power as if someone pulled the lanyard out. Attemps to start the engine were unsuccessful, and a couple of cranks later my battery was dead (surprised how quickly it was dead).

At home I have been trying to get the engine to fire ever since. It turns fine but I can't get it to run....occasionally a pop, backfire (air box is off), and a puff of smoke will come out but the engine wont start. I changed and charged the battery, checked and changed the plugs, checked for spark, checked the ground, checked all fuses, tried a little starting fluid...nothin'. I also noticed that while I'm cranking the RPM gauge is not moving, but is stuck at 0. Is this significant?

Can someone help me figure this out? Does this sound like an electrical issue?

Thank you!
 
Check you compression. An engine wont run if it doesn't have proper compression even if its gettin fuel/air and spark. Also did you break the engine in properly and check your oil level? I know those are stupid questions but you would be surprised at how many people dont do these things.
 
Yes I broke it in properly for the first two gas tanks and bench tested the oil pump...tank is full.
 
I'm trying to hunt down a compression gauge. Don't have one and dont have the extra 200 bucks to spend on one. Compression was 175 on each before this incident.
 
fubada said:
I'm trying to hunt down a compression gauge. Don't have one and dont have the extra 200 bucks to spend on one. Compression was 175 on each before this incident.
Click to expand...

a compression gauge is 20 bucks at an auto parts store

where did you hear it was 175 psi? a "perfect" compression is 150...
 
20$ bucks? The Snapon catalog I looked at listen compression gauge for 199$.

I tested my compression a week and a half ago using a borrowed gauge and it read 175 on both jugs.
 
 
fubada said:
dsw: thanks. I will go pick one up right now.
Click to expand...

No problem... i thought they were expensive too until my friend told me you can get one for around 20 bucks... i got the $25 one from advance auto and it works fine

Post back when you get them tested... hopefully they are between 140-150

The reason everyone wants to see your compression is because the symptoms you listed could be a piston/cylinder problem... i only know this because i melted one of my pistons a couple months ago, and it did the same thing (compression read 75 psi and 140 psi)
 
Okay well, bad news, my new SBT motor is toast. I got a compression gauge and I get 150 on one and only 30-40 on the other. How I managed to roast two engines in a matter of 2 months is the question now.
 
Did you verify that your oil pump was properly working after the new engine install?

I used SBT for my top end kit and no problems so far, but the large amount of negative opinions about SBT has me concerned. I can't personally bash them because my boat has perfect compression after using their kit, and I felt that the components all looked like they were high quality. But others have voiced different opinions. I heard good things about Full Bore, so maybe consider them for your rebuild in the off season

Maybe someone else can chime in to help you figure out what caused these engine failures
 
Also, I believe SBT offers a 1 year warranty on their standard engine and 2 year on premium. Which did you get? It should be covered if its only 2 months old
 
I had some doubts about the oil pump after the original motor ripped a hole in the bottom of the case, so I took it off and bench tested it with a drill.....seemed to be pumping oil, a small amount from each hose one at a time.

The new motor had been ridden on for 3-4 gas tanks. If there was a problem with the oil delivery wouldn't it blow much sooner?

I plan to use the 2year no fault warranty to get a replacement from them, ant experience with their claims department?

Thanks
 
It doesnt look like there was a lean condition, as the plugs look fouled and rich. The temperature sensor never went on, no alarm sounded. Thing ran like a champ and I was beating the hell out of a XP and a GTX when this happened :D
 
Sorry to hear it.

As far as the bad press that people give SBT... most of it is just people regurgitating what they hear. One thing to rember... they are a high volume rebuilder... and anytime people actually have an issue, they post up... so after a while, all you see is negative. (so take it will a grain of salt)

I'm sure they will take the engine back... it just sucks that you have to take the time to do the swap.
 
fubada said:
It doesnt look like there was a lean condition, as the plugs look fouled and rich. The temperature sensor never went on, no alarm sounded. Thing ran like a champ and I was beating the hell out of a XP and a GTX when this happened :D
Click to expand...

Racing another boat and doing a plug check are two different things.
 
Be very careful when buying a compression gauge. A friend of mine bought a cheap $50 tester and it read 25 psi low.
Did you overhaul the carbs when you first replaced the engine?

Chester
 
Yes, carbs soaked and rebuilt, driveline and jet pump rebuilt. Used Mikuni carburetor kits - diaphragms had red dots in the centers.

The gauge was cheap, but it read 150 on one cylinder and 30-40 on the other. I tested several time.

Thanks for the help!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
94 sp 587 no start condition
Replies
12
Views
399
burtshaver2021
burtshaver2021
SIMPLEARKANSAN
1998 GSX Limited Slow crank
Replies
17
Views
581
SIMPLEARKANSAN
SIMPLEARKANSAN
U
01 RXDI no spark
Replies
7
Views
250
Uncle_Tone
U
Legacy37
97 GTI ran perfect for an hour then starts slowing down….with a twist
Replies
4
Views
480
Grim
Grim
D
1995 SeaDoo GTX Runs Rough and Dies After Starting
Replies
1
Views
210
DBecker504
D
Back
Top