Engine replacement

[Billrade]

I live in the Toledo Ohio area and I need the engine replaced on my 2000 seadoo gtx (millennium edition). It has the 951. I am looking to see what is a reasonable price for the engine and labor. Also if there is anyone who is around this area and could recommend a mechanic or shop where I can have this done.
Thanks

 

[WaarrEagle]

Several shops around the country specialize in those motors. You ship it off to them and they rebuild it. Mixed reviews with all of them. I used www.seadooengineshop.com for my recent rebuild and it went well but took longer than originally promised. As to the labor, I can't imagine it being economical to pay someone on such an old ski. Most of the folks swapping motors now, myself included, DIY it.

 

[Mraw]

I used 5 star boat repair out of Michigan, 1200 bucks with prox pistons, crank rebuiltnin house with WSM bearings and seals. 1 year warrenty.

 

[Billrade]

Ok thanks I will check both of them out. I am not a person to put my own engine in. I am on the fence if this would be economical to spend close to $2000 on getting a new engine or just cut my loses.

 

[Mraw]

It depends on how much you like your ski. For me it was a no brainer, to much fun to sell off.

 

[Mraw]

Also check out how much skis with blown engines are selling for compared to ones in great condition in your area. Because of covid 951 skis are going for $3500 in my area, a whole grand more of what they normally go for

 

[Billrade]

I do like the ski. It is fast and a lot of fun. I checked out 5 star and for 1700 they will put a new motor in. Would have about 5500 in total between purchase and now engine so about 2000 above what they are selling for. Around here going for about the same but taking a chance on an unknown ski. Didn’t realize having fun was going to be so expensive.

 

[nibroc]

I do like the ski. It is fast and a lot of fun. I checked out 5 star and for 1700 they will put a new motor in. Would have about 5500 in total between purchase and now engine so about 2000 above what they are selling for. Around here going for about the same but taking a chance on an unknown ski. Didn’t realize having fun was going to be so expensive.

......ain't that ^^^^^^ the damn truth..

 

[Lothsahn]

I do like the ski. It is fast and a lot of fun. I checked out 5 star and for 1700 they will put a new motor in. Would have about 5500 in total between purchase and now engine so about 2000 above what they are selling for. Around here going for about the same but taking a chance on an unknown ski. Didn’t realize having fun was going to be so expensive.

That seems high. You can get your current engine rebuilt for about $1700 (951 /947 Silver GSX LTD /GTX /XP LTD /VSP LTD /Sport LE /RX /LRV 1998-03). That includes a no-fault warranty and all the mounting parts. There's a standard version for $1300.

I'm not recommending for or against SBT, but a rebuild of your engine will save you a lot over a brand new engine. Installed, $1700+1700 is only $3400. If the rest of the ski is in good working condition and well maintained, I'd pay $3400 to have a 0 hours engine any day over $3500 for a sea in who knows what condition. Either way, make sure you break the new engine in exactly as instructed, or it *will* fail early.

I just spent over $1k in parts on a sea doo I purchased. The sea doo was advertised as "runs great, fuel lines, impeller and wear ring replaced recently". Technically, that was "true", but the new wear ring was defective (uneven thickness, causing excessive gaps) and the impeller was replaced with a used one with gouges in the leading edge. Both had to be replaced with new parts.

In addition to the jet pump, I had to replace the fuel sender unit (so my fuel gauge worked), the rave valves (one was cracked into two pieces, the rectifier was failed, and I will have to replace the digitizer on the multi-function display. The thing leaks oil from the oil tank, so I have to replace the grommet and clean the bilge thoroughly. Finally, the carbs need to be cleaned and rebuilt.

All this for a "runs well" sea doo, demonstrated running on a trailer. Unless you really know what you're looking for, the list price is just the start of the cost. You're going to have to determine how well you've maintained your sea doo and whether an engine swap makes sense.

 

[Billrade]

I agree. You are always taking a chance buying from someone you don’t know. That is how I ended up in this situation. Anyone have experience buying a used jet ski from a dealer. I know I will pay more but not sure if there is some better peace of mind.

 

[MoDawg73]

I agree. You are always taking a chance buying from someone you don’t know. That is how I ended up in this situation. Anyone have experience buying a used jet ski from a dealer. I know I will pay more but not sure if there is some better peace of mind.

If you decide to cut your losses, let me know!

I just had the same thing with a 99gtx. I pulled the motor and sent it to Seadoo Engine Shop. Rebuilt for $800 if memory serves. It has about 60 hours on it and is running well, but it took way longer than they said. And I had to call them over and over and over to get it back. And they didn’t give me back my original motor rebuilt like they said they would.

I would use them again, but there are many on here who have had very negative experiences with them.

I got a quote for $2400 from a local shop
To replace and rebuild with an SBT engine. I paid 1300 originally for it, so that put my tab at about $3600 which would be worth about $2500. So I decided to do it myself.

I rebuilt everything, including the jet pump, carb, fuel system, oil lines and filter, battery and everything. I probably have close to $3000 in it, but it has provided tons of family fun and a great experience for me in rebuilding it. Corona gave me the extra time I needed and I rebuilt it over the winter, and took it out all year.

Rebuilding is not so Th our headaches, but for me was incredibly rewarding!

Good luck! I hope you figure it out!