4 replies to this topic

[dolphin23]

bought a 2005 Speedster 4-tec last week and have had it in the shop twice already.

Once because the bilge pump did not work. Second time, because the gas gauge did not work as well as the motor would not restart over five times of starting and stopping. The shop is ordering a gas gauge but they stated they could not find the problem with the stopping problem. Any thoughts on this one, as I was reading others had problems with the starting once being run for awhile.

I want to love my new boat but it has been more trouble than fun. Help please.

[stevenh]

dolphin23, on May 18 2005, 07:02 PM, said:

bought a 2005 Speedster 4-tec last week and have had it in the shop twice already.

Once because the bilge pump did not work. Second time, because the gas gauge did not work as well as the motor would not restart over five times of starting and stopping. The shop is ordering a gas gauge but they stated they could not find the problem with the stopping problem. Any thoughts on this one, as I was reading others had problems with the starting once being run for awhile.

I want to love my new boat but it has been more trouble than fun. Help please.

I have only had my boat out once, but had a hard time starting it back up after parking in a cove for a few minutes after an hour or so of run time.  I believe my problem was due to low battery voltage.  I left the battery on the charger for two days before I finally gave a green light.  The boat pulls over 240ma from the battery if you leave the battery switch "on" while parked, I am not sure how quickly the alternator brings it back up.  This draw could kill the battery in as little as 13 days (totaly dead) (75AH battery, .25A = 312H = 13d).  I hope to get the boat out again soon.  I have heard from others that the 4-tecs can be a bit hard to start when they are new and they will loosten up after break-in.

Steve

[keviseeb]

Two things:

1) The 4-TEC engine in any of it's forms needs good voltage to start. Steven is right, there is way too much draw on the battery with the switch on, it mysteriously showed up this year after the introduction of the Clarion radio. We were told by Seadoo to disconnect the radio until the unit is sold. Although unacceptable to us that is what we are doing and advising customers to absolutely never ever forget to ALWAYS turn the battery switch off EVERY day after use.

2) As far as starting we have found that starting problems are sometimes due to letting your finger off of the start switch too soon! The starter automatically disengages when the engine starts so don't be afraid to keep your finger on the button for a few seconds AFTER the engine first fires. Try it, I think you will find the engine starts easier especially when hot.

[thumper]

mine does the same - i have to keep my finger on th button and it does start each time - but i often used to take finger off and think why hasnt it started - the girlfriend did it yesterday and got a bit worried whilst i was waiting for a pickup after a wipeout - she finally worked it out. good to know its normal.

[thorvald]

I actually just purchased a brand new 2005 4-Tec SCIC.  I'm quite familiar with the 4-Tecs as I traded in my 2003 4-Tec SC Sea-Doo (PWC).

First thing I noticed was the radio memory gets wiped when the battery switch is turned off.  Looks like they might have connected the Yellow (Memory) wire from the deck to the battery after the switch.  I'll pull it apart today and check it out.

While I'm at it I'll see how much it draws.

I suspect it might have something to do with the radio, it appears to get power as soon as the battery switch is turned on (since we don't have an "accessory" position on our boats and you might want to listen to the radio while beached etc.

Thanks for the voltage tips however, I'll keep a spare volt meter with the boat just in case (to prevent those odd moments of oops).

I'm actually about to swap out the little Clarion 235 that came with the boat and install the Clarion M455 and two of the CMRC1-SB LCD Remotes.  One remote mounted just in front of the throttle control so the driver can operate the radio and another in the stern just above the swim platform so you can fully operate the radio out of the boat without climbing in and out.