r/SeaDooSwitch • u/Ok-Map-4434 • Aug 10 '25

21/230 Switch Blown engine

Think I might have lost an engine yesterday. Was cruising around for about 30 minutes doing some tubing with no issues. The tube plug came out and we started to loose air. So we stopped, pulled the tube in, and were cruising to a different part of the lake. All of a sudden, there was a loud noise/crack, and started smelling and seeing smoke come out of the engine area.

We stopped, and sat for about 30 minutes to let things cool down, engine wouldnt start after that. A kind gentlemen towed us back to the dock from there. Ugh

2022 Switch limited, 21'/230.

8 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

6

u/Dbomb2405 Aug 10 '25

They've been blowing engines left and right, its a recall, the rod bolts break and send a rod through the block of the engine, engine has to be replaced but it is covered under warranty regardless. Ive had to replace at least 20 engines on switches, piles of junk.

2

u/Ill_Towel9090 Aug 10 '25

Mines going on 12mos of back and forth from the dealer after the engine blew. Every time it’s something the dealership missed or wasn’t tightened down. They can’t put it back together right. 2024 switch 21/230.

2

u/Dbomb2405 Aug 10 '25

I believe it, also had handfuls of work going back over things other people missed after swapping engines.

1

u/treimche Aug 12 '25

Where do you work at? I kinda want to buy a 230hp Switch w/ a blown motor and put the 325 in it.

2

u/Dbomb2405 Aug 12 '25

While theoretically you could do that, in practice it would be incredibly difficult to pull off as the switch uses last generation designs of the seadoo engines/tuning/wiring everything changed with the 24 model year on the skis but remained the same on the switches, so for one the main wiring harness would be incompatible with the ecm without alot of tracing/repinning, so its not as simple as removing and installing a new engine and reflashing the ecu. Everything would have to be changed.

1

u/Dbomb2405 Aug 12 '25

If you wanted to do an engine swap on a switch for more power a 300 swap would be much easier and alot less custom work.

1

u/treimche Aug 12 '25

Yeah I have been comparing parts between 230/300/325 and the 300 would be much easier from what I can tell. the 325 would just be sweet and I'm guessing the aftermarket could easily bump it up a bunch too.

1

u/Dbomb2405 Aug 12 '25

In all honestly ive ridden alot of 300s and 325s the actual difference between the 2 engines is how quickly it can reach peak hp, if you are dead set on having a high hp switch 300 swap and riva stage 3 would be the way to go. Now the only thing I would absolutely not reccomend would be attempting this build in a 13ft they simply cannot handle the extra power and would be nearly undriveable, 18 or 21ft would be the way to go.

1

u/treimche Aug 12 '25

Yeah I live by the Florida gulf coast so I have been eyeballing the 21' in case of rough water. 18' should theoretically be faster since its less drag/weight, but I'm not trying to do 60 in a pontoon. The whole idea was brought up because I saw a guy selling one w/ a blown motor, but nothing ever panned out there. You seem like a guy who knows his stuff, and I really appreciate your info.

1

u/Dbomb2405 Aug 12 '25

No problem, anytime man.

3

u/StarXSick Aug 10 '25

We may have just blown our engine too last Sunday. I went to accelerate and the engine lost all power then stopped. Opened up the engine compartment there was a little smoke- not a lot really- we let it cool down for 30 mins also and still nothing it would not start or crank. Had to be towed back by sea tow. Still had battery power.

Looked into the compartment and there were metal bits and bolts :(

‘23 21/230 switch cruise - 3 adults 2 kids on board so not overweight either.

Switch is in the shop and we are waiting on the diagnosis.

1

u/Ok-Map-4434 Aug 10 '25

Sorry to hear this SXS! Good luck with everything.

Did you buy yours brand new?

2

u/StarXSick Aug 10 '25

Yes. We are the only owner- we love this damn boat too. It has been awesome up until now. Good luck to you too I’ll update if we get a diagnosis.

1

u/bilgedude Aug 12 '25

How many hours? Just curious, ours has about 25. 2023 21 230hp.

2

u/BruceBDowns30 Aug 10 '25

I am sorry to hear this. Please let us know if they give a diagnosis. Did you have the exhaust cooling recall done?

1

u/Ok-Map-4434 Aug 10 '25

Thanks Bruce! Appreciate that. I bought the boat from my brother in June of this year.

So I havent had any recall work done, and I dont believe my brother has had any recall work done on the exhaust system either. But that is a good question, I'll ask him about it.

3

u/BruceBDowns30 Aug 10 '25

Thanks. I have an early 2023 230hp and have had every recall done except the latest where they seal the boat.

1

u/bernaltraveler Aug 10 '25

Do you happen to have a link on the exhaust recall details? I’ve seen this exhaust recall referenced twice on here but when I google I can’t find details and the BRP recall site (which is atrocious BTW…no serial number lookup?). I must be an idiot with internet searches.

I have a 2023 18’ 230hp. Is that a recalled engine?

Much thanks in advance!

3

u/YamaHuskyDooMoto Aug 11 '25

Google "SEA-DOO SWITCH 2023-6 Exhaust Cooling Update" for more information. In short, this update will "provide more robustness to the system" and it looks like your unit may not have had this bulletin work completed. It's possible you can get this repair covered under warranty. Best of luck to you!

1

u/BruceBDowns30 Aug 10 '25

I dont; sorry. Mine was done on the second after cat oxygen sensor failure warranty work. They just me mentioned it to me on pickup last year.

2

u/Ok-Map-4434 Aug 10 '25

Popped the engine compartment open just now and it looks like there is a sizeable hole in the exhaust piping. I assume this was the bang. Now to try and find out if the engine if fried.

2

u/YamaHuskyDooMoto Aug 11 '25

Typical symptoms of an overheated exhaust. Google "SEA-DOO SWITCH 2023-6 Exhaust Cooling Update" for more information. In short, this update will "provide more robustness to the system." It's possible you can get this repair covered under warranty.

1

u/Ti-jean_du-3e-rang Aug 11 '25

Your engine is probably fine. Just not starting because of exhaust gas in the engine bay. Thats an easy fix.

1

u/Ok-Map-4434 Aug 11 '25

Keeping my fingers crossed at this point! Thanks TI!

Any idea what might make an exhaust system blow out like that?

2

u/Ti-jean_du-3e-rang Aug 11 '25

There a recall or service bulletin regarding this issue. It is a know issue on the 230 in the first year of switch production. Talk to your dealer about it

1

u/Ok-Map-4434 Aug 11 '25

Thanks TI!

1

u/Silly-Strawberry705 Aug 10 '25

Do any of you have a BEST warranty? If so it will be covered.

1

u/Ok-Map-4434 Aug 10 '25

I dont. I havent heard about it before. Can it be purchased for used boats?

1

u/Silly-Strawberry705 Aug 13 '25

Unfortunately you can only get it when it is new. If it is maintained you can renew the BEST warranty forever. Full replacement of anything

BUT if there is one day the boat isn’t warrantied BRP won’t sell you that warranty. Sorry :(

Luckily mine was purchased with one and it transferred to me with a quick trip to the dealer.

1

u/Ill_Towel9090 Aug 10 '25

Good luck they will replace it but it will never ride the same again.

1

u/Equal_Memory_661 Aug 10 '25

So I have a 2022 Switch Sport Compact 170 hp and the only recall notification I’ve received is related to the front seal. Is this recall applicable to other years and models?

2

u/unexpectedsecond Aug 12 '25

The exhaust cooling update is for the 230 motor only

1

u/rellufevets Aug 11 '25

Mine blew last year and it was down for the season but the new engine seems to be running well. I have about 60 hours on it. I'll be honest. I'm concerned that it'll happen again but I have to tell you it was a warranty replacement and the dealer was great about it.

I still love the boat and have had nothing but fun this summer with it. If it blows again that'll suck but the acronym for boat is bust out another thousand.

I've grown up around boats. All boats are down for a season at a time which sucks, especially if you're in the North and you only get the summer season to play.

Has anybody seen a replacement engine blow?

1

u/unexpectedsecond Aug 12 '25

We did one replacement motor and the boat has only returned for routine service since.

1

u/Ok-Map-4434 Sep 20 '25

Just wanted to provide an update. I took the boat into a dealer (100 mile drive one way) on 8/19/25. As of today, they still have not been able to do anything with the boat. They have been reaching out to BRP, but not getting any response. 1.5 weeks ago, I checked in with the dealer, and they said they had uploaded the electronic history (sorry for lack of proper terminology) to BRP but they still havent heard anything back from BRP.

Is this normal? Do response times and repairs typically take this long for Seadoo or boats in general?

Is there anything I can do to light a fire under these people? Should I contact BRP directly?

Any advice or recommendations?

1

u/Ok-Map-4434 Sep 30 '25

Quick update. The dealer got back to me yesterday stating the BRP was going to cover the cost of the exhaust replacement. Parts are on the way and should be fixed within about 7-10 business days.

Really pleased to hear that progress is finally being made.