Tag Archives: maintenance

DR. DOO – WINTERIZING TIPS: FUEL SYSTEM PROTECTION

04 Wednesday Nov 2015

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Dr. Doo is ready to help prepare your Sea-Doo for its winter downtime by providing technical information to help ensure the good health of your Sea-Doo watercraft.  This monthly blog will include tips and insight on seasonal maintenance, systems care, and the products to help maximize your Sea-Doo Life.

As the days have become shorter the Sea-Doo watercraft riding season comes closer to an end. Now is the time to prepare your Sea-Doo watercraft for winter months. Non-use of your watercraft can be more damaging than excessive use if the proper preventive maintenance isn’t performed properly and in a timely manner.

For those who live north of the Sunbelt, the long winter months can be torturous on various systems and components. BRP provides a host of XPS products specifically designed to compliment the winterization performed by an authorized Sea-Doo dealer.

A trained and certified BRP technician knows the procedures to properly prepare your watercraft for months of non-use and the harsh conditions of a cold winter.

You too can help the health of you watercraft by following these simple tips.

Prevent Fuel-Related Problems with the Right Fuel Treatment Products

Screen Shot 2014-10-10 at 9.46.14 AMTo minimize condensation build up in the fuel system, you should store your watercraft with a full tank. When you fill your tank for the last time, Use BRP’s XPS Fuel Stabilizer or XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatment to properly store and treat today’s fuel.

Depending on your weekend adventure schedules, your watercraft may be used infrequently and fuel can be aged 30 days or longer before it’s utilized in an engine. Fuel-related problems increase as the fuel ages. Therefore, fuel should be treated to stabilize and combat the risks of fuel system corrosion, fuel oxidation, the accumulation of fuel system deposits and phase separation. Keep fuel fresh and help prevent these fuel-related problems using XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatments. This goes beyond Sea-Doo watercraft but is applicable to any machine that uses a combustion engine.   

Fuel System Corrosion

Ethanol is an alcohol, and alcohols have corrosive properties. Both XPS Fuel Stabilizer and XPS Carbon Free have effective corrosion inhibitors that coat fuel system components to provide protection against the corrosive effects of ethanol-blended fuels. Blended fuels such as E10 degrade quickly and attract moisture that can lead to internal engine corrosion. Unlike your car, these problems are more severe for engines that sit idle and don’t have fresh fuel moving through the lines and injectors daily.

Fuel Oxidation

Both XPS Fuel Stabilizer and XPS Carbon Free have antioxidants that stabilize fuel and inhibit fuel oxidation. All petroleum products – gasoline, gasoline ethanol blends and all mineral and synthetic oils – contain hydrocarbons. Oxidation occurs when hydrocarbons react with oxygen and break chemical bonds.

This breakdown can occur in as soon as 15 days. Carbureted engines and vehicles with vented fuel systems are prone to rapid oxidation, and water contamination risk is increased due to humidity and condensation from temperature fluctuations – especially for watercraft that are near open water. For these reasons, fuel stored in a container or in an engine’s fuel tank should be treated quickly after purchase.

Fuel System Deposits

Fuel system gum and varnish deposits are the products of oxidation. These new, clustered compounds in oxidized clog fuel system components and can lead to difficult starting, non-starting, power loss or engine failure. XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatment is a complete treatment and an addition to fighting the start of oxidation, it has functional cleaning/detergency properties to both prevent and help clean and remove system deposits that ruin engine performance. The XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatment will help clean carbon deposits on the piston and in the combustion chamber, in turn helping maintain engine performance.

Phase Separation

Ethanol is hygroscopic, which means it has properties that attract. Approximately 0.5% water content will mix with E10 and burn harmlessly in an engine with few, if any, noticeable effects by the user. When this percentage is exceeded, most often from other methods of water contamination, the fuel blend can no longer suspend the water and it forms a separate, visible layer below the gasoline. Ethanol itself will not “grab” enough water vapor from the air to create phase separation – additional water comes from other contamination, commonly in the form of condensation from high humidity and rapid, broad temperature changes.

Unfortunately, there is no safe cure for phase separation and any product claiming otherwise makes a false claim. Once a fuel blend has separated, the fuel must be removed from the fuel system and discarded properly. The only safeguard for phase separation is to try and stop water contamination before it starts with careful fuel management.

  • Use XPS Fuel Stabilizer and XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatment to protect against corrosion, stabilize fuel to fight oxidation and prevent fuel system deposits. It also cleans the fuel system and combustion chamber.
  •  Keep tanks full to reduce available interior surface area for condensation.
  • Try to avoid using non treated fuel in your Sea-Doo watercraft that was purchased more than 30 days prior.
  • Purchase fuel from busy fuel stations to ensure you fill up with the freshest fuel.
  • Avoid storing your watercraft and fuel containers in high humidity areas when possible.
  • Finally, avoid using a product that contains alcohol. Alcohol is often added to some manufacturer’s products as a means of suspending additional water in solution to prevent phase separation. Additional alcohol, when added to the an E10 fuel, is increasing the alcohol content to levels greater than the 10% rating that manufacturers warn users not to exceed.

 

Prevents Corrosion

Prevents Oxidation

Prevents Fuel System Deposits

Cleans Fuel and Intake Systems

XPS Fuel Stabilizer

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XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatment

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 Taking your Sea-Doo Rotax engine to its most basic form explains why fuel treatment is so important. For a combustion engine to operate properly it needs three things: air, fuel, and spark. BRP XPS fuel treatment products can ensure 1/3 of that equation is trouble free. For more information on these and other maintenance products click on XPS.

DOCTOR DOO – GOING INTO THE SEA-DOO SEASON FULLY CHARGED

11 Wednesday Mar 2015

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Sea-Doo fully chargedThe 2015 boating season is fast approaching and Sea-Doo owners are preparing for a full summer of family fun on the water. As you are taking your beloved Sea-Doo watercraft or boat out of hibernation there are some technical aspects that Father time may have had his way with over the past few dormant months. Your battery is where it all starts (or doesn’t start) and batteries can and do lose their ability to maintain a charge over time. But, there is another crucial component that can also lose its charge, your mandatory fire extinguisher.

sea-doo battery

The beginning of the season is the time to check both of these essential items as both your Sea-Doo watercraft battery and fire extinguisher can lose their charge over the winter months of inactivity. Regardless of age, your battery should be given a full charge as step one in pre-season prep.  Be sure to remove the battery from the PWC to avoid gas fumes and possible fire, and set it on a cleared work bench. Connect a battery charger to the battery and let charge over night (please refer to owners manual for exact charging procedures).  Most modern battery chargers include “fully charged” indicator and this indicator should inform you if the battery is accepting the charge  – meaning the battery is still good – or not. If the battery is not accepting the charge or holding the charge and shows signs of being weak after a 6+ hour charge, it is time to replace it with a new Sea-Doo specific battery from an authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealership. Be sure to bring your old battery with you to your dealership so it can be properly and responsibly disposed of.

Every PWC, including Sea-Doo watercraft, must carry a fully charged fire extinguisher onboard at all times. This is for not only your safety but potentially the safety of others.

Sea-Doo Fire ExtinguisherBut you may ask, “why?” Why do I need a fire extinguisher on a watercraft when I am going to be surrounded by water? That is a fair question. The answer is you never know what can happen during a day of boating. If something were to happen where there was an open flame while you were riding you would be able to extinguish it. Having a fully charged fire extinguisher on board can also be very helpful when encountering another vessel with an open flame situation. The Coast Guard and local boating law enforcement agencies check fire extinguishers to ensure they are up to date and fully charged. The best rule of thumb is, if your fire extinguisher doesn’t have an actual pressure gauge, is to replace it every year.

Sea-Doo Safety KitAnd while we are discussing safety the Sea-Doo Safety Kit can also help you in, or out of, an unexpected situation. In case your friend didn’t replace his older battery, the kit includes a whistle that he can use to let you know he needs you to tow him back to shore with the buoyant 50′ nylon rope that is also included in the kit.  The Sea-Doo Safety Kit also includes a flashlight to help inspect the engine compartment and the container can be used as a bailer.

These three items should be first on your To Do list when preparing your Sea-Doo for the coming season and all three products can be purchased at an authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealer. Check the Doctor Doo column of OnBoard for regular maintenance, service, and DIY tips to ensure you get the greatest reliability and most fun from your Sea-Doo watercraft.

 

 

HOW-TO WITH DOCTOR DOO: SEA-DOO WINTERIZING TIPS – KEEP UP THE ENERGY

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

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drdoo Dr. Doo wants you to keep your energy up during the offseason so your Sea-Doo watercraft is in tip-top shape when spring arrives.

This monthly blog will include tips and insight on seasonal maintenance, systems care, and the products to help maximize your Sea-Doo Life. The winter cold is tough on batteries. It’s important to take the proper preventive maintenance steps to ensure your battery is healthy and ready-to-go when you take your watercraft out of hibernation.

The cold can cause troubles for your battery trauma in two ways;

  • Your Rotax engine requires much more current from your battery to turn over when it’s cold due to the thickening of the oil.
  • Colder temperatures slow the chemical reactions that generate electricity.

Although you may not be using your Sea-Doo watercraft in the cooler months as often, or at all, these tips from Dr. Doo will help ensure you keep the energy up with your electrical system. 

Give your battery a visual check-up.

Ensure your Sea-Doo battery terminals are corrosion free.

Ensure your Sea-Doo battery terminals are corrosion free.

Take a detailed look at the battery casing, looking for damage such as cracks or leaks. If you find any “flaws” in the battery, replace it immediately as a damaged battery can cause operational problems. The battery terminals (where the cables attach to the battery) should be clean, free of corrosion and the cable ends should be securely attached with no “wiggle.” Also, check the cables themselves for damage or wear. If there is any exposed metal of the wiring, replace that section.

Conduct a test.

A certified BRP Sea-Doo watercraft technician should check any battery three years old or older. The tech can conduct a cold cranking power test (CCA test) to measure the amount of power (amperage) the battery is able to produce for half a minute in cooler temperatures. A battery should produce a minimum voltage of 7.3 volts even at freezing. If the battery falls below these minimum standards, it’s time to purchase a new Yuasa° battery from an authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealer.

Keep it warm if possible.

Providing a protected environment away from freezing temperatures and frigid winds can help keep the energy levels up. If possible, store your watercraft inside a garage or closed storage area. If storing your Sea-Doo watercraft inside isn’t possible you may want to consider removing your battery and storing it in your garage during the winter. When storing your battery, be sure to cover your terminals with a rubber cover or in a cardboard box to avoid possible arcing.

A "Smart" battery charger will maintain proper charge over extended times of non-use.

A “Smart” battery charger will maintain proper charge over extended times of non-use.

An IV for your battery.

To help ensure your battery maintains healthy energy levels Dr. Doo prescribes you utilize a smart battery charger. These tools are designed for this use and won’t overcharge your battery and ensure they are at maximum strength when it’s go time. These tools can also be used for your other motorized vehicles that utilize a 6-volt or 12-volt system.

Drdoo-levelKeeping up the energy during the long winter months is challenging but with Dr. Doo’s How-To tips to live the best Sea-Doo Life, your watercraft battery will receive a complete clean bill of health.

2016

AFTER RIDE – SEA-DOO XPS CLEANING KIT and XPS LUBE

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

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The past summer is sure to have provided you and your family a lifetime of Sea-Doo memories. Weekends on the water are what make the Sea-Doo life so fun . To help ensure the fun is maximized, here are some post ride basic maintenance tips. Most of your fun happens on the water but even with the splish, splashing excitement your Sea-Doo can build up grime and debris over a period of time.

Keep your Sea-Doo clean.

Keep your Sea-Doo clean.

To help keep your Sea-Doo looking its best it’s important to clean it and take the proper care after you ride. BRP’s XPS products are specially developed to ensure your Sea-Doo looks its best and is running at optimal levels. The XPS PWC Cleaning and Detailing Kit (part # 219701715) is a complete package of everything you will need to keep your Sea-Doo watercraft as clean as possible and to ensure you are the envy of all the boaters on your waterways.

Water alone can’t remove all of the grime and debris you may collect over time on the water and/or during the drive home while trailering. The XPS PWC Cleaning and Detailing Kit includes; all purpose cleaner, vinyl cleaner, spray cleaner & polish, 2 microfiber towels, a deluxe wash sponge and bucket.

Lubricate and protect met laic parts and electrical connections

Lubricate and protect metalic parts and electrical connections

After cleaning and drying your sea-Doo, be sure to protect the metallic parts and connection points. BRP’s XPS Lube (part #293600016) one of the most versatile lubricants available and ideal for misting key components and moving parts to help minimize corrosion and ensure all moving parts move with ease. Refer to your owners manual for areas and components to lubricate and how.

Take a look at the Sea-Doo How To – After Ride Care video for more information on how to care for your Sea-Doo. And while you are checking out our SeaDooTV YouTube channel, take a look at our other Sea-Doo How To videos for more Sea-Doo life insight.

XPS LUBE

XPS LUBE

XPS PWC Cleaning and Detailing Kit

XPS PWC Cleaning and Detailing Kit

Doctor Doo: New Grips. Fresh Look. Fresh Feel.

12 Wednesday Dec 2012

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Looking for a fresh look and feel for your Sea-Doo?  Simply changing your grips can help you maintain a firmer grip, renew your look and enjoy many hours out on the water.

Dr. Doo is back and offers his advice on how to change out your Sea-Doo grips.

 

Reasons for changing:

-After a long season or two, the harsh outdoor elements start to harden the stock rubber Sea-Doo grip and they become a bit slick.

– Some riders tend to wear down the grips after a long season or two.

-Simple project to get that new look back to your aging watercraft.

 

Tools needed:

–       Small flat head screw driver

–       10 mm socket and ratchet

–       Blue Loctite brand thread locker

–       Wire Brush

Parts needed:

–       Sea-Doo Handle grip set (see your local dealer or Sea-Doo PAC catalog online for part number)

Instructions:

1. Remove small rubber end from grip, use small flat head screwdriver to pry at the seam.

 

 

2. Remove 10mm bolt

 

3.  Slide old grip off.

4.   Slide new grip on with the flare of the grip facing forward. No glue is needed with Sea-Doo grips as they have a locking system.

5.  Clean the bolt that you remove of its original yellow thread locker with a wire brush, be sure to remove all of the yellow thread locker as you will be applying blue Loctite brand in its place.

6.  Apply blue Loctite on the first five threads

7.  Re insert the bolt.

8.  Insert rubber end plug to the grip.

 

In the end this not only helps maintain that Showroom look and feel, but also gives you that added grip you once had when you took your Sea-Doo out for its first ride.

DOCTOR DOO: Don’t Get “Steered” Wrong Sea-Doo Boaters

08 Wednesday Feb 2012

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Detect, inspect, and adjust to ensure you are running in-line.

It has been a frequent question since 1994 when, then Bombardier, introduced their first Sea-Doo a
boat, the Speedster. The twin engined, twin direct drive water jet propelled machine was a new type of fun, and the family could come along too! Along with the new machine came some new mechanical layouts that differ from the standard PWC.

 

Most often PPG hears “Why won’t my boat go straight?” or “it really pulls to the left!” or to the right….

 

Well, it’s usually one or two things, sometimes as many as three elements that need to be addressed.

 

A simple Straight Edge can be used to determine is the steering nozzles are aligned or not aligned.

We’re showing a simple way, using a calibrated straight edge, to assure that the steering nozzles themselves are aligned. The steering nozzles, well, they steer, they are what ultimately what steers the boat by pushing the transom to one side or the other.

1. – This should be the first aspect to be inspected. Using the straight edge it should have contact in four places at the steering nozzles. If not, align by adjusting the connecting rod between the two nozzles, or have a certified Sea-Doo dealer do this for you. Once your nozzles are aligned, ensure your nozzles and steering wheel are straight. If they are not there are two adjustment points for the actual steering cable; one at the steering nozzle end and one at the steering wheel end. Before adjusting these points be sure to consult a official BRP/Sea-Doo Shop Manual or better yet, have a BRP certified technician do the adjustment.

 

2. – Propulsion system inspection, It is very difficult for most operators to *never* have a small stone, shell, or even a piece of floating hardwood (stick or twig) to not get processed through the rapidly spinning impellers due to the strong suction of the pumps intakes themselves (refer to our last Dr. Doo article).

A slight ding in an impeller can be the reason for the boat to start pulling one way or the other, even though they are at the same RPM’s and the throttles are perfectly synchronized.

3. – Synchronizing Throttles: synchronizing of RPM via the throttles, if you have twin throttles, is key.

Some shops say this can be done accurately without being in the water with said unit….it can’t. The reason is that the two individual pumps have to have INDENTICAL pump loads for this to work. Now when the impellers and impeller wear-rings are in new condition it is much more feasible for all things to be equal within the pump assemblies.

Once the alignment is complete, considering that the jet pumps and the impellers are in good matching shape, it is time to synchronize the throttles. This is best left to a certified Sea-Doo technician also. Patience and training make the whole process much easier, and it doesn’t cost a lot for it to be done correctly.

So when the local BRP dealer is telling you these things have to be *right*, for it to steer correctly, and keep the throttles aligned, they are telling it to you…straight.

Hopefully this has helped shed some light on what can be an aggravating issue.

No matter where your boating takes you, Florida, California, Minnesota, New York, Texas, Ontario, where ever, Long may you run, Dr. Doo

Glen Perry of Perry Performance Group provides this installment of Doctor Doo and is a fitting author as he has earned his PHD in Doo care as a 35+ year veteran of the powersports industry with the last 20 specializing in Sea-Doo product. Perry is also the creator of the popular Sea-Doo forum sea-doo.net

DOCTOR DOO – Winter Storage, Old Man Winter Will Find Your Sea-Doo!!

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

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WHY WINTERIZE, WHY, WHY, WHY?

Should I winterize?

Do I NEED to winterize?

Well then, what IS winterizing?

Is a SNUGGIE, LL BEAN and a can of Sterno involved in any way?

If you live in the tropics as we do in sunny South Florida , you may think winterizing is just for our northern friends who make a snow shovel standard morning equipment. Nope, winterizing can easily apply to us all. Not necessarily for all of the same reasons though. This is why we like to call it winter “Storage” more than winterization.

Many of us hardcore riders will ride year round as long as our choice riding spot is still *liquid* and with the southern regions of North America feeling the first truly cold spell of the season, this is now very pertinent. So it’s really all about proper storage, and will vary depending on temperature exposure, weather, duration of storage, etc.

Many negative implications can result from improper storage, ranging from gummed-up fuel systems, prematurely failed batteries, rusted precious internal metals to actual broken engine cases, and other areas with cooling jackets. Instead of yet another article on “How to Winterize” this one is to warn you of the results of not taking storage seriously.

Take proper storage seriously and the cost of keeping your favorite Sea-Doo in top shape will be much lower. Going through the proper motions is also key to keeping our machines at peak performance. The kind of performance we have grown accustomed to from our friends at BRP! So to get down to the basics, if you are in an area that gets into the lower 30 degree range, full-on winterization is a must. Even down in the south we saw major problems last winter with expensive internal engine freezing issues that could have been avoided.

Some individuals are able to do this on their own, but if you are in any doubt get your watercraft or boat to an authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealer ASAP! There you’ll find the right tools, technicians with knowledge and products that go into proper storage procedure and ensure it is performed correctly. Here you can be assured the right chemicals, the right tools and technicians armed with the latest tech updates from BRP engineering are utilized to ensure the best preventive maintenance is performed.

BRP offers premium storage lubricants in the XPS brand and additional maintenance items available at authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealers

The owner’s manual touches on the big points of storage, but the large amount of batteries that we sell and the fuel systems that we clean show us that a little $$ spent now, on the right things, (Battery Tender or Fuel Stabilizer Stabilizer for example) sure can save you LOTS of the green stuff in your wallet, or maybe, just maybe, that next upgrade to your vessel that you’ve been wishing for!

Have a beautiful winter, and keep up with us at OnBoard

Long may you run, Dr. Doo

Glen Perry of Perry Performance Group provides this installment of Doctor Doo and is a fitting author as he has earned his PHD in Doo care as a 35+ year veteran of the powersports industry with the last 20 specializing in Sea-Doo product. Perry is also the creator of the popular Sea-Doo forum sea-doo.net