6 replies to this topic

[lmiranda]

Hi, I got my Sportster 4-tec about 2 months ago and have been enjoying it since. It is a blast. Last weekend took it for the 10 hour service and they said everything was in order. My concern is that the dealer is not the most confidence inspiring one and since they day I walked in to buy the boat they have been very indifferent as if they didn’t even care for my business, maybe because they are the only Sport Boat dealer around. They didn’t really take good care of my boat during the day it was in for service (boat was dirtier when I picked up than when I dropped off) and I am kind of glad that from now on service is just once a year. First of all, is this true? That service after the 10hr one is just once a year? I would really like to do some preventive maintenance myself since I missed out on the extended warranty, I found out there is one on this site, they never offered it… What are items that I should regularly check on? I know about oil and coolant, but regarding the oil, the dip stick is not very clear on what is the recommended level… suggestions? Any other items I should regularly check on especially around the engine and the pump? I read somewhere in the site about a “wear ring” for the pump, is that something I can check if it is good? Any good source of info for good to knows for the 4-tec engine since it has been around now for a few years? Any tips will be appreciated. Just want to make sure the boat will last for many seasons, specially since I just ordered the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS, that should let me explore more of the lake without getting me lost and for the first time tell me how fast I am really going.

[gofast]

Hi, I got my Sportster 4-tec about 2 months ago and have been enjoying it since. It is a blast.  Last weekend took it for the 10 hour service and they said everything was in order.  My concern is that the dealer is not the most confidence inspiring one and since they day I walked in to buy the boat they have been very indifferent as if they didn’t even care for my business, maybe because they are the only Sport Boat dealer around.  They didn’t really take good care of my boat during the day it was in for service (boat was dirtier when I picked up than when I dropped off) and I am kind of glad that from now on service is just once a year.  First of all, is this true?  That service after the 10hr one is just once a year?  I would really like to do some preventive maintenance myself since I missed out on the extended warranty, I found out there is one on this site, they never offered it…  What are items that I should regularly check on?  I know about oil and coolant, but regarding the oil, the dip stick is not very clear on what is the recommended level… suggestions?  Any other items I should regularly check on especially around the engine and the pump?  I read somewhere in the site about a “wear ring” for the pump, is that something I can check if it is good?  Any good source of info for good to knows for the 4-tec engine since it has been around now for  a few years?  Any tips will be appreciated.  Just want to make sure the boat will last for many seasons, specially since I just ordered the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS, that should let me explore more of the lake without getting me lost and for the first time tell me how fast I am really going.

First of all ,congrats on your purchase. As you noted it is a blast to own & use Sadly tho, indifferent dealers seem to be rule rather than exception. Mine deceided to get out of doo business right after my purchase.Leaving me with 70 mile round trip to next one.The good news is this site. Lots of info ,advise and tips. Others will be chiming in soon. Use the search feature to find subjects you want. Enjoy your boat

[thumper]

sportster or rotax 4 stroke engines only need to be serviced once a year after the 10 hour service - or 100 hours of run time - if you doo 100 hours in a couple of months (unlikely) it would be worth while having a mid season service .

i check my oil after each trip - while the boat is in the water and about a min after switching the engine off.

flush the engine after each use and spray the cables and metal bits inside the engine bay with bombardier lube.

also drain the bilge after each use-
if the boat is outside and at risk from freezing ensure its winterized before you store it out of season.

avoid running engine in water shallower than 3 feet as you may suck up stuff off the bottom and that will damage the wear ring and impeller.

feed it good fuel and go as fast as you can! (safely obviously)

[keviseeb]

Congratulations on your new 4-TEC! We agree with oil changes once per year if you use the boat between 50 and 100 hours. More than 100 hours would require a midseason oil change. We also feel that the coolant should be changed every 2 seasons. Most important is to make sure the synthetic grease in the final drive is checked each season. I can't emphasize enough how important this is! The rear cone MUST be pressure checked to ensure it doesn't leak. This is best done at a dealer unless you want to buy the pressure gauges and service mauals to learn how to do it yourself. Another good idea is to use synthetic oil, it can easily go 100 hours between services. ONLY the normally aspirated 4-TEC for all years and the 2003 supercharged engine that has NOT had the ceramic clutch update can use the synthetic oil. Please be aware that even the owners manual does NOT recommend an oil change after 10 hours. That is a misnomer that some dealers like to keep alive. We feel its like buying a new car then changing oil after 100 miles or so....doesn't really make sense unless you are planning to use a synthetic oil. There is no break-in oil used either, regular Seadoo 10W-40 mineral oil comes in ALL 4-TEC engines from the factory.

If you purchased your boat within the last year then you can get extended warranty at ANY time during the first year. E-mail me your HIN number (it starts with "CEC") and I will tell you whether or not you can get the extended warranty. We sell it it for $849 for 3 additional years if you don't purchase the warranty at the time of sale and $799 if you do. I'm sorry about your experience at the dealer, we all choose how to do business. I wish more dealers realized that fun is a serious business and should be taken more seriously than a lot do.

I recommend you read the operators manual, we have found that the people who have the most trouble with their boats are the ones who have the operators manual in the best condition!

[D Lo]

Another good idea is to use synthetic oil, it can easily go 100 hours between services. ONLY the normally aspirated 4-TEC for all years and the 2003 supercharged engine that has NOT had the ceramic clutch update can use the synthetic oil.

I may be reading into this more than needed, but regarding the supercharged engines... how do we know about the ceramic clutch update?

I guess the main question is which oil to run in my 05' Sportster SCIC?

Thx in advance

[Rox]

Hi, I also got a Sporster 4Tec a few months ago and just got it back from the 10 hour service. I had a similar experience with the dealer but the shop is run by different people and the owner spent about 45 minutes with me when I picked up the boat going over all my questions and told me to call anytime with more questions. I have also read the owner's manual cover to cover as I want to make sure and do everything right. A couple of things I wanted to share and get others opinions on that he told me:

- Flush the exhaust EVERY time if in salt water

- Spray down and wash the exhaust area every time and spray lube.

- Spray down the engine (after cooled down) every tiem and spary lube being careful not to spray water on the fuse box or electronics and don't lube the silver exhaust pipe, the fuse box or the electronics...lub everything else.

- Get a pincher in case you ever have to be towed...VERY IMPORTANT...if you should have to be towed and don't have one...pinch the line yourself with your hand (like a garden hose). If you don't know which hose it is...it is the one coming from chrome exhaust.

- Always use the Bombardier 4 stroke oil (you probably will never have to add oil if you get the 10 hr and then 50 hr service every year).

- Don't waste your money on the BRP premixed coolant...buy coolant at your local auto parts or Wal-Mart...wherever.

- Don't worry about changing the sacrificial anodes...that will be done at 50 hour service.

- Grease the wheel bearings on your trailer every time you use the boat.

You may already know all this but wanted to share as I have the same concerns you have and want to make sure I do everything right.

What lake are you on? Must be a big one...I live south TX and have just been on Clear Lake so far...it is small and we know every nook and cranny now and went out at night this past Friday...that was cool!! Of course down here in August you almost have to go out at night to avoid the heat.

Have fun!!

[D Lo]

- Get a pincher in case you ever have to be towed...VERY IMPORTANT...if you should have to be towed and don't have one...pinch the line yourself with your hand (like a garden hose). If you don't know which hose it is...it is the one coming from chrome exhaust.

I was under the impression this was only needed for the 2-stroke engines and not the 4-stroke rotax.