98 XP Limited problems

[blue_dunn]

I purchased a 98 XP Limited last fall. I took it out and it didn't seem to run too well so I decided to take it to a local Seadoo dealer. The mechanic told me that there was a recall on some part that if it failed, water would get into the engine compartment and sink the ski. They ended up rebuilding the entire engine, or something like that, because it had water damage. No problem because it was still covered by the warranty. Upon getting it back, I noticed that it would run pretty good for awhile and then start cutting out. I thought it was fuel related and kept taking it back to the shop. I also noticed that the darn thing was beeping every now and then as well. The last time I took it in, they had it for around a month and a half. Taking it out last weekend for a test spin I noticed that it was getting a lot of water in the engine compartment and darn near sinking the thing. It must have been about 8-10 gallons of water that came out and it would not start. A friend of mine took out the spark plug and then started it up to allow the water to get out of the engine. I also noticed rubber fragments coming out of the back as if some seal was broken. I checked the hull for leaks but could not find any. I was told to fill the engine cavity up with water and see if any water leaked out. Sure enough, it was leaking right out of the back on both sided of the mounting screws for the pump. My question to you is should the shop be responsible for this seal or is it something that I can change myself? I purchased a Seadoo shop manual, but it doesn't seem to cover much. What maintenance manual do you recommend?

[Bryan Glynn]

WOW. You have a heck of a Sea-Doo there [img]smile.gif[/img]

Seriously, it sounds like you have at least 3 major problems, probably more.

First, the obvious problem of water ingestion, probably from the typical spot on the 951, which is what you received coverage from - the pipe to manifold leak.

Second, a problem with a leak somewhere on the hull. I'm not 100% clear on exactly where you mean, as far as - mounting screws for the pump. Typical spots for leakage are at the pump seal, where the driveshaft goes through the hull - and at bolt locations for the rideplate/intake grate.

Third, is the performance problems you experienced after the rebuild - and the beeping - I need a lot more detail about when exactly it would happen, what exactly you were doing, if you noticed a pattern, throttle positions, RPMs, etc.

As for the rubber - hard to say yet if it's realted to another problem or another one all together.

[blue_dunn]

Thanks for the quick reply. I think it is running fine when I have it at home with a hose hooked up to it. I think that water is getting into the engine compartment through the back of the ski and somehow getting into the carberator, which will allow it to cut out. Is this possible if you have a lot of water inside the compartment?

It seems that it was leaking from the backend where the VTS\jet pump is at. Sorry for not being too specific but I do not have much experience with jetskiis. If I look from the back of the ski, I see four large bolts that I believe hold the jet pump on to the back of the ski. Is this right or is it holding the VTS on? I really need a Seadoo for dummies book right now, know where I can get one?

I really don't think that it should leak from the backend like that though. I can see a large seal that is starting to come out. I looked at the maintenance paperwork and it seems that the Venturi was recalled. Could you explain what this does and if it has a seal that could be leaking? Thanks again.

[Bryan Glynn]

I think by venturi you are reffering to the airbox, which was recalled for an updated design to try to help with the aforementioned exhaust spray leak problem.

Yes, you are right, there are 4 bolts holding the back of the pump to the hull, and there is a seal between the pump and the hull - if you have any leakage there, the pump need to be taken off, the surfaces well cleaned, and new silicone applied - and the pump reinstalled.

[blue_dunn]

Airbox, huh. Sounds good to me. The water is leaking quite rapidly from between the pump and the hull. So this is silicone, and not an actual gasket or seal? Do you have any recommendations for a beginners maintenance manual or website that will help me through this? I have a Seadoo shop manual that may be of some use. Anything I should pay close attention to when removing and reinstalling the pump? It seems straightforward but there is always something that the manual leaves out, right?

[Bryan Glynn]

The shop manual is going to be the most detailed source you can get, unfortunately. I can look at our in the morning and give you detailed instructions if you need it translated. It is very easy to do - and it's easy to reinstall.

[blue_dunn]

Thanks Bryan. I contacted Seadoo today and they said that they may cover this problem for me since it was their certified mechs that worked on it. I would like to do this myself, but they would be able to determine if there was any other problems. I will definetely let you know if I need some step by step help. Thanks for the offer.