1997 Seadoo Speedster Winterization

This is only the 2nd time I winterized my Seadoo. I couldn't find a video to show how its done so I did my own. This worked for last year's Maine winter. Anyone out there with advice on things I could have done, or things I missed please leave comments in the feed. I'm not a mechanic and don't claim to be, I'm just going by advice I had been given. Hope this helps for anyone out there who wants to do their own winterization.

[@mikenike1730]

Awesome video you explained everything very well and helped me out big time I feel like I owe you some money or at least a 12 pack🙂

[@aomadison3891]

Thank goodness, a clear practical instructional vid on winterizing my seadoo without buying a winterizing kit and pump! Thank you. I'm adding fuel stabalizer also.

[@MikeMcCreadyTheVRGuy]

Thanks for a great video. Clear and easy to follow. This is my first winter with our Sea Doo jet boat and I feel more confident in winterizing it.

[@TheAcuellar]

Thanks for the video! I have been using it to winterize my sea doo speedster the last 3 years without a problem. I live in mid-Michigan.

[@wildgoose6596]

Well done! I usually run the engines while flushing them to be sure the antifreeze gets everywhere, but obviously if it survived a Maine winter, what you are doing is sufficient. I was going to make a video of mine for winterization and carb rebuild, but I can never get anyone interested in holding the camera. Lol!

[@sunshinetv2419]

When choosing RV antifreeze, be sure to choose one that says "Marine". The other antifreezes contain alcohols that can dry out seals. I did not know there was a difference until recently.

[@Subaruej20]

So do those motors run coolant on a enclosed system or do they pump water up like a outboard motor?

[@sunshinetv2419]

@@Subaruej20 They pump water through the motor, it is not an enclosed system... When storing you can either blow out all the water in the motor with a compressor... I was told by a SeaDoo mechanic that is what they only do now... or flush out all of the water with antifreeze, which is what I did

[@yanikpicardleduc]

What about the oil valve you never mentioned if its suppose to be in or off??

[@RaldasDetails]

Great video sir thanks!!

[@sunshinetv2419]

Just an update about this post... I was up in Maine last week for vacation and went to fire up the boat for the first time this season. I'm happy to say it fired right up and ran fantastic! .... well at least for the first few days.... then, when going full throttle across the lake the starboard engine cut out and wouldn't start back up. I checked spark and rebuilt the carburetor but no luck, so off to the shop it went. What a bummer...

[@chrischiccino88]

What ended up being the issue? Well wishes @Sunshine TV

[@sunshinetv2419]

@@chrischiccino88 Still waiting to find out... I don't need the boat till next summer so the mechanic has been taking his time... hopefully it's not expensive...

[@marcbrazzers]

@@sunshinetv2419 Any update on this? I have a 1998 with the twin engines and sometimes the right engine just dies suddenly and abruptly, makin a big boom noise lol. I changed the starter (as the previous one was messed up and loose with the bracket missing which I replaced as well). It starts up decently. I fiddled with the low speed fuel screw on both carbs and it seemed to run better but the dying issue still happens. I'm wondering if it's that little bi%&h of a fuel filter inside the actual carb (before this summer I will replace fuel and oil filters that are in the lines, I purchased those from bombardier so that should eliminate the possibility of those being bad). I read that it could also be a ground wire that is corroded or not making contact with the keyfob system somehow interrupting the signal thereby shutting off only that one motor (starboard). The port motor starts and runs great although vibrates like a mofo lol. I lubed u the driveshafts and checked underneath and nothing is obstructing it. Odd!

[@sunshinetv2419]

@@marcbrazzers I didn't have the big boom noise when mine quit. I just got a text from my mechanic and he said he took the engine out to work on it easier and will get to it this week. He said he thinks it might be a burnt piston... I have no idea. I will keep you updated as to what he finds. It already sounds expensive though... mine was getting spark so I don't think it was the ground wire...

[@marcbrazzers]

Sunshine TV eesh burnt piston sounds bad .. hopefully it’s not that

[@LynnWright-n9o]

Why is water coming inside from the drain pipe on the driver side? What should we do after bringing it off the water each time

[@ryanlalinsky387]

Hey on the oil tank up top there is a rubber seal holding a hose In to the tank do u have any idea where I could get it.

[@jsheavy3923]

That small hole in the top of the air cover is for fogging. As for running the engine the carbon seal will burn up. Do not run the carbs out of fuel. Put a lot of star tron in the fuel and put oil in the fuel to. Run it on the water. Then after out of the water I just put some oil down the carb and spark plug holes and u r good.

[@sunshinetv2419]

Thanks for the tips!

[@bryanseidel4564]

im looking at buying on of these, possible seized engine on left hand side, are they hard to repair or replace??

[@sunshinetv2419]

I lost one of the engines due to a clogged 2 cycle oil hose. I was running full speed across the lake when this happened. I hobbled back on one engine then took it to a mechanic who inspected the engine with a camera and compression tester. The clog blocked the oil so there was no lubrication in the fuel so the piston ended up scarring the cylinder walls. Sea Doo mechanic said there was no way to know this would happen. Anyway, I found a company that sells these engines refurbished. Check the site ShopSBT.com... You buy their engine then send them yours. They had the best prices. I had a local mechanic install it but he took forever and it didn't run right when I got it back. I ended up having to take it to SeaDoo dealer and they said he had some fuel lines crossed it ran great for a while. I think the engine cost about $800 and the install was $3-500. You could probably do it yourself if you're handy. I used to keep the boat at my camp far from home so it wasn't something I could do. I heard it comes out with just a few bolts. The thing about working on that boat though is the engine is way down in the engine compartment and it gets very uncomfortable after a while leaning over the side or the seat doing long repairs. Otherwise when the boat ran it was a blast on the water!

[@fenderstrat7547]

Great video brother and thank you for all the good information but one thing has me confused, from everything ive read on these they say to never allow liquid into the system without starting the engine first but maybe that doesnt apply for antifreeze...

[@sunshinetv2419]

Maybe you should run the engine when you do it. This worked for me. I think someone said to pinch off a small hose so the antifreeze doesnt go up into the engine. I was hoping to have an open discussion here as to what people found that worked the best. There is so little info. out there on exactly how to do this.

[@fenderstrat7547]

@@sunshinetv2419 i agree there is very little info on this...I appreciate you making this video it has helped me very much....

[@biggredd2008]

Great video but I think when you run the anti-freeze through the motor you have to have the motor running so the anti-freeze does not go into exhaust system or cylinder area.

[@sunshinetv2419]

I haven't had any trouble with anti-freeze getting up into the motor... This year I had lots of 2 cycle oil I there... I recently had the lines from the 2 cycle reservoir replaced, because they were clogged, (which lead to the demise of one of my engines). This year I had lots of oil in the cylinder, I'm guessing because the lines were more clear. Running them could help but I haven't had any trouble the last several years with this method. I've had a some antifreeze in there one year but I simply took out the plugs and turned over the engine to clean out the cylinders. After a few attempts to start the engine, it started up and blew out the remaining anitfreeze. Whether or not there is oil or antifreeze in the cylinders you simply take out the plugs and crank over the engine to clear them out. There's no crankcase oil so it won't leak down and mix up with that. If it does, the heat in the crankcase will evaporate the bit that seeps by the rings.

[@renegade9758]

@@sunshinetv2419 hello after winter how do you remove all the coolant?

[@toddsadowski5074]

@@renegade9758 I don’t use coolant, I use RV antifreeze, it is environmentally friendly, it is used to protect pipes from freezing in an RV or home during the winter I run the engine and purge the antifreeze into a bucket then put it down the drain

[@chrisdehart1789]

@@sunshinetv2419 how do you drain the antifreeze after winter?

[@franklintheman8310]

fantastic video, I am looking at buying a speedster, was knew all about inboards but nothing about these. Are there any freeze plugs to take out?

[@sunshinetv2419]

no freeze plugs

[@TylerMarletteNY]

what do I need to do to de winterize? just flush it out with water?

[@suryadeephooda6501]

Yes, just run the motor with a hose attached so the coolant doesn’t end up in the lake or river

[@smalas7863]

Great video, thanks! What about the battery? Should it be unplugged for the winter to avoid charge leakage ?

[@sunshinetv2419]

I have a shut-off switch on mine and I do turn it off for the winter. But this year I bought a new battery just before I put it away and I decided to remove the battery and put it in the basement. The basement doesn't get colder than 45 degrees. I figured why leave a new battery in the boat over a Maine winter. I really don't know if there is any way that the system would drain the battery if it is not unplugged but if its easy to do then it wouldn't hurt. I think the fact that the battery sits for months in the cold is what affects them the most.

[@narmstrong1986]

Can you hook these boat up to a water hose to run them out of water? We think we have a clog and want to flush the impellers

[@sunshinetv2419]

If you think you have a clogged impeller, pull back the impeller clearing lever, then climb under the boat and and check the impellers. You should be able to look in the intakes... be sure no one is starting the engine.. you should be able to reach your hands down the intakes and clear any debris... I have had to clear weeds and a tow rope from mine... it's easiest to do out of the water but I've had to do it in the water with a pair of goggles. If you do run the engine out of the water, then yes you can hook a hose up to the engine on the hose port and run water thru the engine while the engine is running. Generally flushing the impellers won't clear them, otherwise they would have cleared when you were running it. Chances are you will have to reach in and pull out the obstructions if that is indeed the issue.... just be sure the engine is off first!

[@jorgevazquez6918]

Hi Anyone knows if where he connect the hose to the engine to do winterization needs to be with cap or plug?

[@zainfadhil2588]

nic boat. thinking of buying a 2011 model

[@donyvaleriano7219]

Excellent and very informative. Question - is there a tread where you attached the antifreeze adopter to the speedster? I checked my 1995 and there are no treads on both. Thank you

[@sunshinetv2419]

On the back of my boat the attaching point has a standard garden hose threaded coupler, I simply thread the antifreeze hose onto it. If you don't have threads perhaps you can get an adapter and clamp it on. It doesn't need to hold a lot of pressure.

[@donyvaleriano7219]

@@sunshinetv2419 Thank you

[@DeryVeiga]

Should i start the boat or not when adding the antifreeze ?

[@sunshinetv2419]

As you can see I did not and it worked for me for a Maine winter... some have said that you need to run it... My mechanic at the SeaDoo dealer said I didn't need to... if you feel better running it go ahead... it won't hurt it... I can tell you that its possible that antifreeze can into your piston chambers, which is not a problem unless you don't remove your sparkplugs and pump it out before you try to start it in the spring.

[@MMAsFather]

So you leave the treated gas in over Winter and instead of drain gas

[@sunshinetv2419]

Yes... the more empty the tank is the more condensation can build up inside the fuel tank and put water into the fuel

[@armandopreciado7547]

Hi, my motor locked up. It has been 6 months since i started it and i would Like to know if there is any advice on what causes the motor not to start

[@sunshinetv2419]

Mine locked up on me too... antifreeze when pumped in can make its way into the cylinder heads and fill it up with liquid... the pistons can't compress the liquid so the engine won't turn and will in a sense be frozen. My suggestion is to remove both spark plugs in the engine then crank the engine over a few times to expell the antifreeze out of the spark plug hole. Then squirt a little 2 cycle oil in there to lube up the pistons and walls. Crank again a few more times then add some starter fluid to the cylinders and put the plugs back in, then try firing it up again. Let me know how it goes. Be sure not to continue trying to turn the motor over with it "frozen" you can burn up the starter.... I've done that before.

[@sunshinetv2419]

I recently got quick-connect adapters for the hose connections- it makes attaching the hose to the boat so much easier-www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X1LWRVN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s02?ie=UTF8&th=1

[@maddmavic]

Im from maine and habe the chance to trade a motor cycle for one of these . Is it really worth it? I hear they have a shit ton of issues cause 2 stroke ans just alot of work

[@sunshinetv2419]

We've had this boat for about 10 years... We only use it a couple of weeks per year. Its a 1997 boat so it does have issues from time to time but the fun factor on this boat is a 9 out of 10. We can easily pull up a skier... or two and the boat is super fast. Downsides are that it bobs in the water at about 15mph but its fine when it goes a little faster and gets up on a plane. Its also quite loud so it's not a cruising kind of craft where you can sit and take a nice leisurely cruise around the lake. The engines are a bit of a pita to work on since they are down in the compartment but once you get them working right and you maintain them they are fairly reliable... also if one motor breaks down you can use the other to limp back to the dock. I recommend using ethanol free gas whenever possible and Seafoam gas stabilizer when you can't. But we have had a ton of fun with this thing. My son and his friends would do what they call "battle tube" behind the boat.... we would pull 2 tubes and they would try to throw each other off while trying to hold on being flung around a turn. This boat will also turn on a dime and reach speeds of around 50mph. Its just what we were looking for for a little fun on the lake... its kind of like having a jet ski and a boat. Once you get it on the water you'll see what I mean... it's a blast! Let me know how things go for you!

[@oscaroli4842]

Can you run the engine ? When pumping the antifreeze with the drill pump Or it doesn’t matter? Engine running or not

[@sunshinetv2419]

I think you can but you don't have to... can a mechanic please confirm.... The mechanic I talked to last year said they have actually stopped using anti-freeze and are now flushing the water out with an air compressor

[@oscaroli4842]

Ok,, good to know. I’ll start up the engine a few times before storage, that should blow the remaining water out of the engine and exhaust also

[@hempressjessi3774]

You have to run the engine you did it backwards you can up with antifreeze

[@mattglans1052]

Anytime you're pumping water or any fluid into the cooling system like this, you have to run the engine. Not only can into the chambers, but it can also enter the bottom end, which will grenade the engine while you're out on the lake next summer.

[@tonyn.4663]

That's exactly what I did to winterize my seadoo single rotax engine. But somehow I couldn't started this morning. Did we have to do anything else?

[@sunshinetv2419]

Sometimes antifreeze will make its way up into the cylinders and through the engine. I would try pulling out the spark plugs then lay a towel over the holes (the towel keeps whatever comes out of the engine from spraying all over) and crank the engine over. This will blow out any antifreeze that has gotten into the firing system. Check the spark by inserting the plug back into the wire and grounding the plug on the engine block. If you've got spark then try a little starter fluid in the carb. and maybe a shot in the cylinders. Put your plugs back in then try starting it. If you are using gas with ethanol and it wasn't mixed with stabilizer over the winter, it can evaporate and turn to gum in your carburetor. Sometimes carb spray will dissolve it but sometimes you have to remove it and soak it and blow air through the tiny holes in it to make it work properly again. Hope this helps.

[@tonyn.4663]

@@sunshinetv2419 thanks for reply. Let me test it out tomorrow with brand new battery and like you said. Idk because I have to used a jumper cable inorder to crank it. Without a jumper cable it just hear click.

[@tonyn.4663]

@@sunshinetv2419 I couldnt get my boat to turn over. Called machainc marine shop they said I might fry my piston due to fog oil in carburetor. They said marine antifreeze what we doing is right but not fog oil. So did you get to start your boat fine? Please advice. Thanks

[@sunshinetv2419]

Cold winters can be devastating to your battery. Put a meter on it and see if it is still any good. Try a charger on it. Also check for spark. If you have spark there is a good chance the carburetor is gummed up if you are using fuel with ethanol and the stabilizer wasn't mixed in enough. @@tonyn.4663

[@tonyn.4663]

@@sunshinetv2419 finally got it running today. It was the curberator fill with fogging oil. Keep on cranking spray alittle starter fluid into the curberator while cranking it and it fire right up. I went from changing new spark plug, new battery but couldnt started.

[@jsheavy3923]

Wash the engine bay to lol. That thing is nasty. Purple power works great

[@sunshinetv2419]

I agree, it is pretty nasty... Perhaps I'll take your advice for next season. I keep the boat at my cabin and only get to spend a week or two on it a year. As soon as I get there I drop it in the water, then right before we leave we take it out. Not much time for cleaning and I don't want to clean it while its in the lake. But you know what, you put the engine cover over it and voila, no more nastiness.

[@jsheavy3923]

Lol I know same with mine

[@jvictorez5576]

Your supposed to run the motor wile you winterize you can’t fill the motor with antifreeze and let it sit . it’s just to flush out the water water out and replace it with antifreeze, you can’t store all that fluids in there.

[@russssellcrow]

Did you just vent antifreeze onto your yard?

[@sunshinetv2419]

The antifreeze that I'm using is RV antifreeze and is labeled as non-toxic, unlike car antifreeze. I assume that means it is environmentally safe in small quantities. Most forums say it is safe for septic systems. Most of the cabins on the lake winterize their pipes during the winter with RV antifreeze. Most of that goes into the septics...and eventually into the drain fields . One thing I did find was that the Arctic Ban RV antifreeze that I am using in the video is not recommended for winterizing marine engines. Apparently some are alcohol based which can dry out seals. Hopefully I'll dodge a bullet this winter. The big reason I put up this video was to open a discussion as to the best method to winterize this boat. I appreciate the question. This summer I'll be more conscious of collecting the antifreeze and asking around as to the best way to dispose of it, if it is indeed toxic.

[@russssellcrow]

@@sunshinetv2419 Cool, I had never heard of RV Antifreeze. Thanks, I learned something new today!

[@heccort3843]

You are treating this engine like a 4 stroke... But is a 2 stroke... Theres a lot of miss consepts here poor engine

[@florincraciun25]

🤦🏽‍♂️

[@juicer250]

I would suggest going to your dealer or local tech. If this method of winterizing has worked for you, it's pure luck. Please remove the video before people mess up their own boat