SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

[Jbrussels]

Well I am pretty bummed.. Finnaly got my 98 sportster running. Did the break in procedure- everything was going fine- lots of smoke- great sound. I ran it for about 10 minutes, then I shut it down like the manual told me to. Let it cool for about 20 minutes, then I attempted to fire it up- and it seemed like it locked up. I checked all the terminals thinking it was an electrical problem- nope. Took the sucker home, and took the jet off and tried to turn it over- locked solid. I am gona have to call and place a warranty claim..... WHY DID THIS HAPPEN?????

[Technical Support]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

What happened to the original motor?

What did you do between the time you left the water the last time, and trying to fire it? Have you tried turning it over with the plugs out?

[Jbrussels]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

I not only took the plugs out, I took the whole drive train off. I didn't open up the main block because that voids the warranty. The old engine was ruined due to heavy use in salt water without flushing(previous owner) I replaced everything in the engine-bilge, and a lot outside. The new engine got oil, i had the pump and premix- for breakin. It ran fine. I ran it for a bout 10 min and after i shut it off- it seemed to lock up.

Thanks...

[Technical Support]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

That's very strange, I can't think of anythign typical that will actually lock an engine up AFTER turning it off, other than debris falling in the intake. Definitely call Julie if you not done so alredy (warranty) and we'll get it swapped out and diagnosed.

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

Have you tried turning it over by hand, not using the starter?

[Jbrussels]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

Yea I tired that. I took everything off of the block... looked inside through the intake ports and looks fine- no burn marks or bend metal..Instinct tells me its a bearing or something. Im gonna send it back to SBT on Wed. I got a claim # and all...It was pretty hard lifting a 60 lb engine into a boat by my self..

Thank you for your input:D

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

That is why they have such a great warranty. Good move!

[mikey20]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

when you install the engine make sure that you have a full tank of oil and you may want to fill the oil bath for the rotory shaft before you run it.The oil lines are long and curvy only being gravity fed could starve the gears for oil on enitial start up and it dosn't take long to toast the brass gear .

[Jbrussels]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

Yea,

The engine had plenty of oil...as I said before the oil pump was running fine and I had premix. I dont know what the heck hapened


Thanks...

[mikey20]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

not the engine the oil bath for the rotory valve shaft there are two center seals that separate the rotory shaft from your combustion sides of the crankcase,I.E.the elbow fittings bottom center of intake and top center between cylinders on the opposite side. on initial start up the oil can take a while to fill up the center section because of the amount of hose it has to traverse.

[Jbrussels]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

Ahhh,

Well the line on the top of the bath, was full, and it went all the way back up to the tank. The oil tank was full...could the rotary shaft still have been oil-less. How can I make sure the shaft is properly lubricatd next time?


Thanks

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

It sounds like it was full of oil to me. It is gravity fed from the tank to the lower side of the case, it then fills the rotary valve drive cavity in the case and it goes back up the line to the oil tank.

[Jbrussels]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

yea thats what I thought..anyway I am gona start removing the engine tonight...
thanks again for everything;)

[Jbrussels]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

OK- I solved the mystery!

Well I was taking the engine out to ship it back, when i noticed a small- almost non-visible gouge on the intake port(on the rotary surface-on the block) It was visble now that the engine was out of the boat. I couldnt figure out where it came from- when I realized one of the oil lines coming from the pump to the motor was empty. I investigated further to find one of the little oil injection fittings (brass?) on the rotary valve cover snapped off and went into the engine! I didnt find it, but i figure I will never find it again in the oil bath. I machined the little nick out with a dremel, and put the whole thing back together- runs fine...I am so relieved. By the way, I called and told them to cancel the Warranty claim. **(The rotary valve cover was brand-new from the factory!- I ordered it through a local dealer)** I think the brass fitting was stuck somewhere inside the engine- which made it seem like it was locked...but it isnt anymore..


Thanks for all your help!

[1fastski.com]

Re: SeaDoo 717 Lock Up

i knew that there still is a few HONEST people out there :-) good thing you didnt take it to a dealer , they would have blamed SBT and not the OEM part . its good to see somone who can find a problem and be honest about it :-)