O2 Sensors and Warranty

[PogoFX]

Realizing that the O2 Sensors on these boats have been a common problem, mine finally went bad and threw quite a few codes end of last season. I took the boat back out start of this season just to get it started with the plan to take it in for the 100 hr service. One of the motors shutdown before I got away from the dock and threw some misfire codes as well. Went ahead and took it into a dealer and the shop is telling me that all 4 O2 sensors are fouled. While I have a 2014 215 HOI, I didn't take delivery of the boat from a dealer until end of May '15 and technically the motors are still warrantied by ROTAX according to the warranty info in the manual.

What luck, if any, have folks had getting the O2 sensors replaced under warranty? I seem to recall reading some posts a while back about it. The dealer is saying no - carbon build up, moisture, etc. - not covered. Not sure if they would have been covered by the 3 year ROTAX warranty anyway.

I've had 3 other boats, SEADOO, Yamaha, Moomba, and have almost always done my own work. First time to a dealer for service in many, many years. I was going to replace the O2 Sensors myself, but figured I'd have them look at it since I thought there may be a chance on warranty. I appreciate any feedback and experience dealing with this.

 

[ALAN MANN SR.]

As far as I know O2 sensors are covered under the 3 year warranty if your boat is still under warranty.

 

[Scottintexas]

what dealer is telling you this?

 

[PogoFX]

As far as I know O2 sensors are covered under the 3 year warranty if your boat is still under warranty.View attachment 74861

Thank you! I'll talk to the dealer about this.

 

[PogoFX]

what dealer is telling you this?

KM Cycle & Marine. Ft Walton Beach. I think Scarabs are new for them.

 

[PogoFX]

As far as I know O2 sensors are covered under the 3 year warranty if your boat is still under warranty.View attachment 74861

BTW, what's the source document this is from? Thanks again.

 

[ALAN MANN SR.]

BRP Rotax Operators Manuel

 

[PogoFX]

BRP Rotax Operators Manuel

Got it. I must have thumbed past that page 6 times . . . geez. Sucks getting old . . just need perfect lighting and longer arms and I can read just fine.

 

[JetTech72]

Should be covered on warranty.

O2 sensors issue should not shutdown the boat & would not cause misfire fault (P0300).
You probably have something else like fouled spark plugs or stuck injectors.

Have your exhaust system inspected for leaks, as it was found that some of the O2 sensor faults were caused by leaking exhaust.

O2 sensor p/n :
JPS#460374
BRP#707600872
BOSCH#0258006956

 

[PogoFX]

Thanks JetTech. Yes, I'm going to talk to them today and specifically ask about exhaust leaks and get the full low down on what they have done. O2 sensors were supposed to come in yesterday or today. Exhaust leak is kinda what I was suspecting; I know it has been a common problem. It would definitely explain fouled O2 sensors and plugs like you said. Part #'s are good since I'll be doing the work myself next time. Thanks.

I did speak to Stephanie at BRP warranty just to verify my motor VIN's were still covered under warranty. They are, by just a week or so. I was worried that might be an issue since I purchased my boat long distance and got it delivered a month or so after the date on the paperwork. Warranty should start based on first delivery to the customer per the manual. I had no idea what was used for the delivery date and it could have made a difference for a warranty claim. Fortunately the date was close enough to delivery, within a couple of days so I'm still covered without having to fight that battle as well.

I asked her about the O2 sensors being covered but she didn't really commit to anything only saying defects were covered. The manual is pretty specific that they are covered. I didn't bother reading her in on the whole issue since the dealer may come to there senses when I go through the manual with them and tell them I've already been in contact with BRP. Gearing up for a fight, but hoping it will be a non issue.

 

[PogoFX]

Well I got my boat back a couple of days ago. The dealer is filling a warranty claim on the O2 sensors. I just paid for a 100hr service and they left the ticket open on the O2 sensors waiting to see if it will be covered. This service department has never filed a warranty claim on a Scarab and was just taking the easy road by telling me to pay for it. They are brand new to the Scarab and I'm not sure they have sold one yet. They seem genuinely nice, so I don't get the feeling they were trying to outright screw me. Maybe just a little lazy,

So . . . I put the boat in the water yesterday to test it out. Start it up and first thing - check engine light. However it wouldn't show any codes on the instrument cluster. One time it said "no active codes" but it still had the check engine light. Well, of course, I was pissed. Mostly because I forgot to bring my laptop and CanDoo Pro so I could find out what was going on. I thought it was possible that the dealer may have just forgot to clear the light. I was able to scoot across the sound to a friends dock in my neighborhood, get out, run to the house, and get my CanDoo. Got back and pulled the codes and had a code for ECU on the port engine. Can't remember which one. It talked about low voltage. The boat did start a little slow and I had a battery light for just a second after starting. So I'm thinking the battery was a little weak on the start. But before I clear it, I call the dealer from the boat and talk to service and tell them that the check engine light is still on after their service. I said, I can bring it back in or I'll clear the code for you and see if pops back up. They said clear it for them, if I feel comfortable. Bring it back if it comes back on. That's really easiest for both of us and that's what I figured they'd say. Cleared the code and it stayed off for a couple of hours of driving. Put the boat up, no more issues. I think it was just low voltage on the battery during the start. I wanted to get the dealer buy in before clearing the code myself. If it was something they didn't fix or screwed up, I didn't want them to say I was going rogue and was to blame.

BTW, the only reason I made headway with the warranty claim is that I happen to know the previous service manager for the dealer. He helped me 20 years ago as a mechanic at a different dealer with my old Seadoo Speedster. He actually took me back in the shop and showed me how to remove and re-jet the carbs on the bench. I moved away and ran into him another 7 years later when I had my Yamaha LS2000. He was the parts manager for that dealer and he'd give me discounts and gave me advice on my engines. I moved away again and moved back recently. I ran into him when I took the Scarab in for service. He's now in sales having just worked as the service manager. I told him about the O2 sensors and he got the new service manager straightened out. Needed someone on the inside to get the ball rolling. His name is Jon Chambless - great guy if someone is in the market for a Yamaha, Seadoo, Scarab, Can-am, etc. in the panhandle area.

 

[JetTech72]

Following the OBD-M requirements it is possible to have the Check Engine Light ON with no active fault in the system, similar to our cars OBDII.
Here is how the logic kind of work.
The Check Engine Light will come ON during the 2nd consecutive driving cycle that an active fault is being monitored.
The Check Engine Light will come OFF after 3 consecutinve driving cycle with NO Active Fault in the system.
That's why you had your Check Engine Light ON but couldn't see any active Fault in the system, your were in the healing process phase.
Clearing the fault with CanDoo or BUDS will obviously clear the fault & by-pass the healing process.

 

[D_scarab_ny]

Realizing that the O2 Sensors on these boats have been a common problem, mine finally went bad and threw quite a few codes end of last season. I took the boat back out start of this season just to get it started with the plan to take it in for the 100 hr service. One of the motors shutdown before I got away from the dock and threw some misfire codes as well. Went ahead and took it into a dealer and the shop is telling me that all 4 O2 sensors are fouled. While I have a 2014 215 HOI, I didn't take delivery of the boat from a dealer until end of May '15 and technically the motors are still warrantied by ROTAX according to the warranty info in the manual.

What luck, if any, have folks had getting the O2 sensors replaced under warranty? I seem to recall reading some posts a while back about it. The dealer is saying no - carbon build up, moisture, etc. - not covered. Not sure if they would have been covered by the 3 year ROTAX warranty anyway.

I've had 3 other boats, SEADOO, Yamaha, Moomba, and have almost always done my own work. First time to a dealer for service in many, many years. I was going to replace the O2 Sensors myself, but figured I'd have them look at it since I thought there may be a chance on warranty. I appreciate any feedback and experience dealing with this.

My sensors went on me last year. They were covered under warranty

 

[PogoFX]

My sensors went on me last year. They were covered under warranty

Thanks. The dealer left my ticket open on the O2 sensors. They haven't called me back asking for money, so I'm hoping that they figured it out and its a non-issue by now. They did say to make sure you really throttle the motors a few times when out of the water or after flushing to blow out the moisture. I saw my O2 sensors and they did have a bit of corrosion. The dealer was adamant that there were no exhaust leaks after I asked multiple times.

I'd like to see some input from folks on blowing the moisture out by throttling the engines. I've always done it a little, but a I'm also a little worried about excess wear on the carbon seals. I see guys doing it a lot at the ramp with their jet skis.

Thoughts on if this is a good idea, how best to do it, and if it makes a big difference.

 

[ChristopherDHall]

Crossover part number??

 

[JoeScarab]

Does anyone know if a bad O2 sensor will cause the boat to run sluggish? I have a 2014 195HO and the check engine light came on but no code and the only issue with the boat is it comes up to max RPM slowly.

 

[Dean P]

Does anyone know if a bad O2 sensor will cause the boat to run sluggish? I have a 2014 195HO and the check engine light came on but no code and the only issue with the boat is it comes up to max RPM slowly.

Hi welcome to the forum. !!!

It could be O2 sensors but it could also be fuel, spark plugs, air filter, engine over heating, etc. Pretty hard based on your history (you don't have one with us). Have you checked the other items mentioned? If you provide us more info we might be able to help you better.

 

[JoeScarab]

Thank you for the reply, I really appreciate any help you can offer.

I’ve only had the boat for about 90 days. She has a new engine installed by the previous owner that has apx 45 hours and a new intercooler I had to install due to water found in the old one.

The plugs are new, and so is the fuel filter and I’ve only been using marine grade fuel. I checked the temp on the dash while at low rpm (3000) and it was 183 and at high rpm (7800) the temp was 190. I also replaced all three ignition coils about a month ago because one of them smoked.

This is the third time for the check engine and I had the “wrench” light when the coil fried. I’ve had my mechanic hook up a scanner each time and no codes for the check engine, but it did report a code for the coil. The scanner is able to reset the lights.

I’m happy to supply any more info, but today’s issue is this sluggishness when throttling up.

Thanks again!

 

[Dean P]

Thank you for the reply, I really appreciate any help you can offer.

I’ve only had the boat for about 90 days. She has a new engine installed by the previous owner that has apx 45 hours and a new intercooler I had to install due to water found in the old one.

The plugs are new, and so is the fuel filter and I’ve only been using marine grade fuel. I checked the temp on the dash while at low rpm (3000) and it was 183 and at high rpm (7800) the temp was 190. I also replaced all three ignition coils about a month ago because one of them smoked.

This is the third time for the check engine and I had the “wrench” light when the coil fried. I’ve had my mechanic hook up a scanner each time and no codes for the check engine, but it did report a code for the coil. The scanner is able to reset the lights.

I’m happy to supply any more info, but today’s issue is this sluggishness when throttling up.

Thanks again!

What HP engine to you have? Is it supercharged? I have twin 250s. I only run premium (>90). Tried 89 octane once and it wasn't good (thru a code - might have been an O2 sensor, can't remember). These (computerized) engines de-tune themselves for what you put in them. Again, this is dependent on which engine you have.
If your tank is full you could add an octane booster and or fill up with premium.

Do you live close to a dealer? Just asking cause mine is ~2 hrs away. I purchased a CanDoo Pro to read the engines (one at a time) to diagnose and clear codes.

 

[JoeScarab]

Thanks for the help.

The sticker on the gas pump says 91 octane and it’s a marina so I think the fuel source is ok.

The 195 HO has a single Rotax 1503 4-TEC supercharged for 250hp (and I agree with others on the blog, this boat is under-powered).

I’m about 90 minutes from a dealer, what did you pay for the CanDoo Pro?

I’ve read my share about the sensors on this boat and it seems that might be a good investment just to know what’s really going on.

Is there a good source for parts in the US, I’m in Florida?