shutting down in full throttle....engine problem?

[kristin]

Shutting down at full throttle.

hello all!
just wanted to say hi...i just signed on.
My purpose for signing on is that someone out there might be able to help me pin point my problem.. A month ago I purchased a GTX Seadoo 1998. Recently I was at full throttle and it just turned off. I took it into the shop and the mechanic put a new starter in it. I didn't really understand why a starter would need replaced because it DID start but I didn't argue...Then when I put it back in the water I rode it for about 15 minutes and I was in full throttle and it died again... Now the mechanic is telling me that the engine is blocked and seizing and it will be 2300 - 2700 to replace it! My problem is that I think he's just really busy and isn't even really taking the time to test everything and diagnosis it. Although I'm not very mechanical I'm wondering why he didn't figure this out the FIRST time I took it in. I would really like to hear anyone's thoughts on this.. I put a new battery when I purchased it and got new valves because they were filling with water. As far as anything else I trusted the guy I bought it from.

A month ago I purchased a GTX Seadoo 1998. Recently I was at full throttle and it just turned off. I took it into the shop and the mechanic put a new starter in it. I didn't really understand why a starter would need replaced because it DID start but I didn't argue...Then when I put it back in the water I rode it for about 15 minutes and I was in full throttle and it died again... Now the mechanic is telling me that the engine is blocked and seizing and it will be 2300 - 2700 to replace it! My problem is that I think he's just really busy and isn't even really taking the time to test everything and diagnosis it. Although I'm not very mechanical I'm wondering why he didn't figure this out the FIRST time I took it in. I would really like to hear anyone's thoughts on this.. I put a new battery when I purchased it and got new valves because they were filling with water. As far as anything else I trusted the guy I bought it from.

 

[sanpan25]

welcome,

lets start with simple.

engine crank over?
what is the compression?
new spark plugs?
clogged fuel filters?

there are a lot of talented people on this site!

your mechanc sounds a little ......flaky to be nice .....crooked to be honest

if you can describe your symptoms i do believe somebody will be able to point you in the right direction.


PM me if you like and I will try and advise you.

 

[dvebddy]

Kristen,

I have only been on this site a week or so and have only purchased my ski's a month ago. Doesn't sound like the engine siezing to me plus I don't think you had a bad starter. Check your fuel lines and see if they are grey. If they are they are probably breaking down and clogging up your fuel system, filters, valves and carbs and should be replaced with a high quality hose.

 

[robin savell lloyd]

You need to do the work your self or get another mechanic to look at it.

 

[kustomkarl]

A month ago I purchased a GTX Seadoo 1998. Recently I was at full throttle and it just turned off. I took it into the shop and the mechanic put a new starter in it. I didn't really understand why a starter would need replaced because it DID start but I didn't argue...Then when I put it back in the water I rode it for about 15 minutes and I was in full throttle and it died again... Now the mechanic is telling me that the engine is blocked and seizing and it will be 2300 - 2700 to replace it! My problem is that I think he's just really busy and isn't even really taking the time to test everything and diagnosis it. Although I'm not very mechanical I'm wondering why he didn't figure this out the FIRST time I took it in. I would really like to hear anyone's thoughts on this.. I put a new battery when I purchased it and got new valves because they were filling with water. As far as anything else I trusted the guy I bought it from.

You got new valves? I would check your ground going to the engine, to be sure it is a good connection. Check the battery wire connections too. If it still does it you need to remove the carburetors and clean them. If you're careful and don't tear or damage the diaphragms you won't need to buy a rebuild kit. Pay attention to the internal filters too. If you have gray fuel lines you need to replace them with black fuel lines available from auto parts stores like Auto Zone. Measure the length you need and bring a sample with you so you get the correct size. Replace one at a time so you don’t get them mixed up. If you need clamps replace them too. Use small stainless steel clamps also from the auto parts store.

Karl

 

[derek]

when the engine shut off, did it crank on the starter immediately and not start? or not even crank? it is possible the mech is right, and siezing when hot, and freeing up when it cools down. if the motor spins on the starter the minute it shuts off, he is...incorrect.

 

[kristin]

my mechanic called me the other day and told me he ran a compression test and the engine wouldn't crank... If the ground going to the engine wasn't secure could this cause it to not crank? I'm pulling it out of the shop tomorrow and my friend and I are going to try and break the engine loose... any suggestions for me? Do you think that when they replaced my valves something could've went wrong? And shouldn't they have noticed my engine was bad both times when they replaced the valves and the starter?

 

[kustomkarl]

What valves got replaced? The 1998 GTX is a 2 stroke. It depends on what it does, when it doesn't crank. Its possible that the ground isn't clean and tight, that goes to the engine near the starter. Is this repair shop a Seadoo repair shop, or just a Marina? Most "regular" boat repair shops are clueless when it comes to seadoo's.

Karl

 

[kristin]

This is a Seadoo shop...it's the only one within a 2hour radius of me. So i feel that i'm at their mercy! The previous owner replace valves right before I bought it.. he said it was so I could leave it in the water and it wouldn't flood and I wouldn't have to take it out and clean them every week...So i'm not sure which valves but the purpose was to not flood the ski.

 

[kustomkarl]

You mean the Plug in the Hull of the boat, at the stern? I wouldn't have much faith in this dealer, if they couldn't figure out the ground wire was no good and it wouldn't crank. If the seadoo is seized than that's another story.
Let us know if we can help...

Karl

 

[Nate Surveyor]

It seems to me that 1/2 of the troubles folks have with PWC could be avoided by a simple taking of time, to listen, and look at their own machines.


When high dollars for repairs start happening, it is time to figure out what is really needed.

Get more involved.

Nate

 

[kristin]

that's why my friend and I are going to run another compression test.. if it doesn't crank because it's seized is there anything i can do to break it loose?
Also do you have any idea what could make the engine seize?

 

[kustomkarl]

Be nice Nate...Everybody needs to learn sometime, and not all of us are mechanically inclined...we all just want to have fun.

Karl :cheers:

 

[kustomkarl]

You need to tell me some history of the seadoo...my crystal ball isn't working to good today...I need to know what lead up to the problem and what maintenance has been done on it this past year. Is it still using the oil injector? What oil are you using? Does it have the correct spark plugs in it? What was the compression at the start of the season? Did it get flooded with water? Did it get rolled over? Do you have a habit of running it dry on the trailer? Is it a freshwater machine or saltwater? Has the over heat sensor beeped steady before? Things like this could help me diagnose your problem...

Karl

 

[Nate Surveyor]

I was not trying to be a smart alec. Just saying that based on the items he has mentioned, and the history, that my own blood pressure went up, at the dealer's analysis! "my crystal ball isn't working to good today.." Mine's not either!

So, I am begging for more info.

Sorry to come across poorly, and I hope I have not offended anybody!

Nater

 

[kustomkarl]

Trust me Nate, I have posted here a couple times and have seen lots of "different" things. I know where your coming from. I am here to help people solve their problems, because I want to. None of the mods here get any payment for helping out, we are all volunteers here using our expertise and experience to help others.

No offense taken by me.
:cheers:
Karl

 

[kristin]

no offense taken at all I wish i would have done more research BEFORE i started having problems.. I'm picking it up on Thursday and then I'll be able to tell you more about what is going on. I have the oil at home which was given to me by the previous owner.. i'll have to check out everything to let you know more in depth what is going on!
Very basic though nothing had been replaced since it was new..its 1998.
Then right before I bought it like i mentioned he replaced "valves" because it was flooding. Then i rode it about 3 weekends and i got the line stuck in my intake...We took it out of the water and pulled it out.. Then the next weekend i was in full throttle after running it about 1/2 hour and it died. I took it into the shop and he said the starter had two teeth missing and replaced it... I wasn't sure what he thought the starter had to do with it stopping when it was in full throttle but i figured he was the mechanic.. So i put it back in the water couple days later and same problem.. died in full throttle. Now he's saying the engine won't turn and I need a short block.
I'll give let you know more specifics after i have it in front of me.
thanks alot for your time! I'm a new rider and owner. I hope i didn't cut off more than i can chew.. I am learning a lot from this site! I just hope that i don't have to put 2grand into this after already paying 4000.

 

[kustomkarl]

Cool Kristin, let us know when you get the GTX back and we'll dig in and get it under control. The very worst it could be is a bad engine...and you can get a re-manufactored for less than $800.00. But lets not jump conclusins just yet. It might just need a new top end or maybe its something stupid. We'll wait and see.

Karl

 

[kristin]

hey! okay..I have a lot to discuss and hopefully I can get this mess all fixed up!
I got my gtx back from the mechanic...he told me all he did was run a compression test and it came up at zero. He didn't go any further to diagnose the problem. My brother-in-law was going to run another compression test for me before I took it in for a second opinion and when he looked at the engine he realized that my cylinder was melted as were sparkplugs etc... He said it looked like oil wasn't getting to my engine even though I had oil in the ski. He knew at that point he shouldn't even run a compression test cause it would be worthless... Now MY question is.. when I took it to the mechanic the FIRST time and told him it stopped running in full throttle shouldn't he have looked at more than the starter? Then when it broke down AGAIN and I took it back, don't you think he shouldv'e seen it was melted when he ran the compression test? I realize at this point I need a new engine but i'm wondering if the engine blew because of a simple clog that the mechanic shouldv'e found the first time it was in the shop for shutting down full throttle.. Please give me any advise you have on how to handle this situation

 

[shingadaddy]

Loss of oiling or wrong mixture(IE too lean or water ingestion) are about the only causes of MELTING events that I am aware of. It may have partially seized when you took it in the first time and when the mech tried to turn it over it acted like the starter was bad. Myself, I would have tried to turn it over by hand at the PTO to see if it was seized at that point. Maybe he jump to the "starter bad" route for some other reason and when he installed it, the new one had enough torque to kick it loose and it fired up. Obviously there were OTHER things going on too. Sorry you engine is toasted but KustomKarl can help guide you through the correct (most cost effective) path.

 

[kristin]

thank you! Do you think this is something worth talking to the mechanic about making it "right" as far as maybe giving me a discount on labor since the problem wasn't fixed and in return created a bigger problem? Not sure how to approach that? Or should I just take my loss because I didn't have enough knowledge on my end?

 

[shingadaddy]

About all you can do IMHO, is talk with the mech and explain where you believe you are at in this situation. Maybe the starter was bad but it did not cause your Doo to DIE. They've already primed you with their estimated cost and if you return it to them for repair, he'll assume you are okay with that ball park price. If you have some one who is mechanically inclinded, the repair isn't too difficult. Again just IMHO. I've done it more than once. Been a while but no special tools come to mind. I haven't been on this forum long but it doesn't take long to see that the folks on here are really nice and helpful. I wish you the best of luck

 

[kristin]

I realized that people are very nice and helpful my first day on this forum!
Thanks for the advice...I just feel like the problem could've been taken care of the first time I took it in and that the mechanics overlook cost me my engine.. I hate to put the blame on him but it is HIS job to diagnose a problem when it's taken in...oh well, what's done is done.. hopefully KustomKarl can help me out with some advice on where to go from here! Thanks alot!

 

[kustomkarl]

Kristin, I would approach the service center that checked out your doo and talk to the manager or owner. Explain what took place and ask if they can help with cost of some of the repair as it seems like it was diagnosed wrong, and cost you your engine. Explain about how trustworthy you were, of their mechanic and feel that they should help out as it was diagnosed wrong. If they say ok just be sure they don't inflate the price of service and your in agreement of the repair cost. If i goes that way also get it in writing as to what is getting done and get a copy...Then check around to see if you can get a better price from the competitors. If the repair shop gives you a hard time or won't do anything ...nothing lost, they are under no obligation except their own conscience. Remember to not get upset, and be calm when you talk to them. They might be more apt to help out if you keep your cool, than be obnoxious. If they do nothing then I'm sure me we can get you in the right direction to get a re-manufactured one, and you can get someone else to have it swapped out. Good luck with it, and keep us posted on the outcome.

Karl

 

[SLIMCAT]

kristen

Hi there

where in PA are you? What dealership did you go to?
Brian