Older Seadoo service

JTA · 09-29-2022, 08:33 AM

My 2002 Seadoo GTX RFI suddenly began running poorly mid=ride as if plugs were fouling. I pulled the plugs and they look ok. So. It could be several other issues. The problem is finding someone to diagnose and service it. Dealer doesn’t want it … parts no longer available. I believe the issue can be resolved as the sled is sound with not a ton of hours. But who is around (I am in Moultonborough) that can handle this. I am done for the season. Would also consider winter storage and servicing in the spring.

thinkxingu · 09-29-2022, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTA

My 2002 Seadoo GTX RFI suddenly began running poorly mid=ride as if plugs were fouling. I pulled the plugs and they look ok. So. It could be several other issues. The problem is finding someone to diagnose and service it. Dealer doesn’t want it … parts no longer available. I believe the issue can be resolved as the sled is sound with not a ton of hours. But who is around (I am in Moultonborough) that can handle this. I am done for the season. Would also consider winter storage and servicing in the spring.

There was an independent guy in Ossipee who was into finding solutions on older machines. I can't recall the name or if he was any good, but it may be worth searching.

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ITD · 09-29-2022, 11:43 AM

I just got rid of my 2000 gtx rfi because of the parts issue. They have rave valves in them. These carbon up and stop moving, or the actuator fails. More likely carboned up from your description. They are easy to pull apart and clean. Lots of youtube videos on it, watch a few of them and have at it. There is also a rotary valve in the engine that goes, if that's it then it's probably junk. Good luck.

SAB1 · 09-29-2022, 12:31 PM

We live in a disposable world now. Getting tough to find guys to work on older boats, sleds jet skis etc. pretty sad.

jetskier · 09-29-2022, 01:31 PM

Hi all,

The biggest issue is getting parts. I have a 1996 GTX and a 2002 GTX-4Tec. All parts generally specific to those models are out of production and out of dealer stock. You have to typically find used parts from ebay.

As pointed out, independent shops are your best bet with older machines or doing your own work. The dealers are not really set up to deal with the older stuff.

Jetskier

thinkxingu · 09-30-2022, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAB1

We live in a disposable world now. Getting tough to find guys to work on older boats, sleds jet skis etc. pretty sad.

This raises an interesting point—how long is reasonable to expect a product to be supported? The OP's ski is >20 years-old...

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ITD · 09-30-2022, 04:27 PM

I think 20 years is probably plenty for a recreational company to support a product. The thing about these sea doos is they are built well and last a long time if you take care of them and don't use them in salt water. I do wish once the manufacturer is done with them that they would make parts drawings and repair manuals available for other companies to produce. I looked it up and there are still quite a lot of parts available, including the rave valves, top ends and even rotary valves. If you are handy you should be able to fix these machines. But if you have to pay someone it probably wouldn't be worth it.

I bought a new one and got it a few months ago. They have come a long way in 20 years. Unfortunately they cost a lot more too.

09-29-2022, 08:33 AM	#1
JTA Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 233 Thanks: 33 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts	Older Seadoo service My 2002 Seadoo GTX RFI suddenly began running poorly mid=ride as if plugs were fouling. I pulled the plugs and they look ok. So. It could be several other issues. The problem is finding someone to diagnose and service it. Dealer doesn’t want it … parts no longer available. I believe the issue can be resolved as the sled is sound with not a ton of hours. But who is around (I am in Moultonborough) that can handle this. I am done for the season. Would also consider winter storage and servicing in the spring.

09-29-2022, 01:31 PM	#5
jetskier Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Reading, MA and South Down Shores Posts: 850 Thanks: 57 Thanked 183 Times in 114 Posts	Parts are a major issue Hi all, The biggest issue is getting parts. I have a 1996 GTX and a 2002 GTX-4Tec. All parts generally specific to those models are out of production and out of dealer stock. You have to typically find used parts from ebay. As pointed out, independent shops are your best bet with older machines or doing your own work. The dealers are not really set up to deal with the older stuff. Jetskier

09-29-2022, 11:43 AM	#3
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,913 Thanks: 474 Thanked 684 Times in 382 Posts	I just got rid of my 2000 gtx rfi because of the parts issue. They have rave valves in them. These carbon up and stop moving, or the actuator fails. More likely carboned up from your description. They are easy to pull apart and clean. Lots of youtube videos on it, watch a few of them and have at it. There is also a rotary valve in the engine that goes, if that's it then it's probably junk. Good luck.

The Following User Says Thank You to ITD For This Useful Post:
JTA (09-29-2022)

09-29-2022, 12:31 PM	#4
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,210 Thanks: 186 Thanked 310 Times in 227 Posts	We live in a disposable world now. Getting tough to find guys to work on older boats, sleds jet skis etc. pretty sad.

09-30-2022, 04:27 PM	#7
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,913 Thanks: 474 Thanked 684 Times in 382 Posts	I think 20 years is probably plenty for a recreational company to support a product. The thing about these sea doos is they are built well and last a long time if you take care of them and don't use them in salt water. I do wish once the manufacturer is done with them that they would make parts drawings and repair manuals available for other companies to produce. I looked it up and there are still quite a lot of parts available, including the rave valves, top ends and even rotary valves. If you are handy you should be able to fix these machines. But if you have to pay someone it probably wouldn't be worth it. I bought a new one and got it a few months ago. They have come a long way in 20 years. Unfortunately they cost a lot more too.

The Following User Says Thank You to ITD For This Useful Post:
JTA (10-10-2022)