Seadoo RXT 255 RS flooded engine compartment after vibration....

[blueyes56]

Has anyone any clue how water could get into the hull after a sesion out on the water. On acceleration it suddenly vibrated andf then the back went low in the water. I am concerned after it will not start and there is water on the dip stick. Freaking out!!!!!!

Anyone had any experience with this drama?

 

[seadoosnipe]

Don't freak out, that'll hurt more than help.

What you need to do first is get it out of the water (which I'm sure you have). Now, you've stated there is oil on the dip stick, that's good. We have to go over fluids to determine where it came from, I think I already know, but lets go over a few things. The 255 SCIC has a closed loop and open loop system. Your motor in specific has a typical cooling system with anti-freeze (or summer coolant) in it. So, if what you saw in the hull was water, then you know your motor is fine. So, now you can stop sweating. The vibration before the rear dropping into the water suggests you've probably split a water hose from the pump to the motor.

Where did the water come from. Your exhaust system is cooled by an open loop cooling system. Which means, it picks up water from your pump and sends it to your exhaust to cool the gases, then is discharged through your pipe. The intercooler for your supercharger also uses water from this system.

What you need to do now is find out where it came from. If you've eleminated typical sources like leaving your hull plugs out, or any damaged area of the hull, your thru hull seal at your drive shaft, then I'd recommend you hook the ski up to your water hose. Turn the water on and start looking with a flashlight and mirror around your water inlet hoses from the pump, and around the exhaust system. I've seen flooded hulls from the exhaust manifold gasket blowing out, leaking your water into the hull, verses out of the motor.

Remember, start your motor before turning on your water. If your exhaust gasket is blown, water pressure could be greater than your cylinder pressure and put water into your motor, so make sure you start the motor before putting water on it...... But, as long as the oil on that dip stick isn't yellow, the problem is not engine related.....

 

[blueyes56]

Thanks so much for some measure of relief seedosnioe.
That gives me some understanding how water could enter the engine bay.
I have tried to start it howver it just tries to turn over then stops. Just hope it has not seized.
I will take it to the dealer where I purchased it tomorrow as it has been public holidays.
Will post the outcome.

 

[JFizzleJR]

I hope your ski is still under warranty? If it is, drag the ski to the dealer and hand it over to them. It might mean part of your summer gets ruined but it could potentially save hundreds or thousands of dollars and tons of headaches in the long run.

Did the engine cut off while it was running at the time of the incident? Is there water in the oil?

I would not crank the ski. If the ski was running with a hull full of water the odds of bending a rod just increased quite a bit. In my experience, a vibration combined with water entering the hull rapidly is likely a driveshaft (carbon) seal failure. If the vibration came from the engine it could mean you snapped a motor mount(s) or the engine began sputtering on it's way to hydrolocking.

There is no exhaust gasket on the Seadoo 4-tec motor.

 

[blueyes56]

Unsure of warranty period. It was purchased Dec 2009 which makes it 2 years.

Yes I have water on the dip stick. I think it must be the driveshaft carbon seal as it took in the water very quickly. However when out of the water, the internal hull water not flow out of that area which is confusing.

I sure hope there is no serious damage. Does insurance cover this sort of damage?
Thanks for your reply.

 

[RFoster130]

Hopefully it is something that is covered under warranty. You dont have the year listed, but there have been problems with the 08-09 RXT's. I know i have read on here in the past that there were issues with the pump tunnel cracking. If you search the net, there are a lot of stories of this happening. Then with the newer models in 2010 and 2011, there have been issues with the IS models that cause them to sink.

 

[seadoosnipe]

I hope your ski is still under warranty? If it is, drag the ski to the dealer and hand it over to them. It might mean part of your summer gets ruined but it could potentially save hundreds or thousands of dollars and tons of headaches in the long run.

Did the engine cut off while it was running at the time of the incident? Is there water in the oil?

I would not crank the ski. If the ski was running with a hull full of water the odds of bending a rod just increased quite a bit. In my experience, a vibration combined with water entering the hull rapidly is likely a driveshaft (carbon) seal failure. If the vibration came from the engine it could mean you snapped a motor mount(s) or the engine began sputtering on it's way to hydrolocking.

There is no exhaust gasket on the Seadoo 4-tec motor.

I stand corrected. Your right, no exhaust manifold gasket. I have expressed many times in the forum, I really avoid working on the 4-TEC, because most people I know that have them, come to me when they go into limp mode or throw a code. I do not have the B.U.D.S software, so can't do a thing for them.

He did state on the first post, there was no water in the oil. Now, he's saying there is. If the oil on your dipstick is yellowish in color verses a nice deep darken hue, then there could be a few things to cause it, namely the head gasket. So, like all have stated, get it to a dealer if your not mechanically inclined to work on such a high performance engine.

Good catch JFizzleJR, thanks for steering him in the right direction.

 

[blueyes56]

Presently awaiting the repair shop to work on it. Awaiting the outcome....

 

[blueyes56]

I require a Resonater Part No. 274 001 366. If anyone has this part in stock in Brisbane please call 0412558244 ASAP

 

[seadoosnipe]

I require a Resonater Part No. 274 001 366. If anyone has this part in stock in Brisbane please call 0412558244 ASAP

That is the entire resonater!!!!... kinda hard to believe you damaged it to a point of replacement. I've never heard of anyone that has done that, especially on one that is fairly new. Man, you must be a hot dogger on that thing...LOL

You can open our Seadoowarehouse, above on the right to order it. You'll be looking for part #23, which cost about $90 bucks. Check your PM's, I'm going to send you one.

 

[JFizzleJR]

Shipping from the US would be at least $60. Many people get rid of the resonator when modding their skis. I will check into it to see if I can find someone in Australia who can send one your way.

 

[seadoosnipe]

I did a check real quick and found that Seadoowarehouse.com now ships to Australia. There is also a place in Queensland that sells parts, is a sister store to Riva. Here's there link.... www.jetskiparts.com.au

 

[JFizzleJR]

I checked a map and that shop looks pretty close to Brisbane so it might be a good option. For what it's worth, I heard back just now from a contact of mine and he recommended to call the guys at Brisbane Watercraft: 07 32838383. My friend that gave the reference has a spare resonator from his personal ski but he's all the way in Perth so shipping costs would be outrageous.