Gene De Gennaro
New Member
I acquired a 1996 GTI which I've set up for fishing (fish finder, rocket tubes, rod holders, tackle box, etc) and the GTI size and stability works great for this. I fish the California Delta and we have species from panfish up to stripped Bass, salmon and Sturgeon. The ski makes a great bass busting platform. You can troll or drift fish.
I finished the retro about 2 months ago, and I've had the ski out about 6 weekends, this past being the most current. Up to the past weekend I've run the Ski at slower speeds, around 15-20 mph's
While cruising from "Hotspot 1" to "Hotspot 2" I acceletated up to a high speed and was cruising along nicely maybe for 5 minutes, (first time highspeed run since getting ski) when the engine shut down and I was "Gliding" along . It felt like the engine ran out of gas (tank was full). When I tried to restart the battery wouldn't crank the engine over on the first or second try, it felt like a low battery charge, I waited a moment then switched the gas selector to reserve, primed it, hit the switch and it started running. After running at low speed for awhile I switched back to main gas and the ski ran well at lower speeds. When I accelerated back to a high speed I had a repeat of the stall.
When I got home I pulled out the SeaDoo shop manual, checked the forums for similar problems and got a few Ideas on what the problem might be.
This is where it gets interesting. I wanted to find out exactly which model GTI I had (for parts ordering), following the manual I checked for the ID's. The tag on the left rear of the Ski had no 4 digit code (5865, 5866, 5867). I then checked the engine looking for a tag on the upper side of the magneto and there was none, instead I found it on top of the Magneto and it read Rotax model 657X
According to several websites and the manual, The GTI was never built with a 657X, and there was no GTI in 1995. Also the 657's were phased out entirely in 1996. Checking into it more it looks like the engine is factory mounted so I am guessing someone hadn't dropped in a different engine. (don't think a 657X would mate in place of a 717) Also, My understanding is the 657X was only used in 94 -XP's and 95 SPX and GTX models.
Is there some visual distinction between a 657X and a 717 block that I can use to ID the engine and if so what is it? I believe the 657's have an elbow fitting on the head, located on the Right Hand Top & the 717's do not? My Ski does not have the elbow. The Ski has DESS.
Meanwhile I am trying to guess possible senarios on what I have, maybe a switched out Mag housing? But the exhaust is a 657 style too. Maybe someone in the past dropped in smaller engine (naw) or a Pre-Prod Factory Built (the missing 4 digit code plays into this), or?
I've attached some pic's for ref, looking for ideas and comments on resolving what engine I've got. Need to get this resolved quickly, thanks for your help in advance..
Best regards
Gene
I finished the retro about 2 months ago, and I've had the ski out about 6 weekends, this past being the most current. Up to the past weekend I've run the Ski at slower speeds, around 15-20 mph's
While cruising from "Hotspot 1" to "Hotspot 2" I acceletated up to a high speed and was cruising along nicely maybe for 5 minutes, (first time highspeed run since getting ski) when the engine shut down and I was "Gliding" along . It felt like the engine ran out of gas (tank was full). When I tried to restart the battery wouldn't crank the engine over on the first or second try, it felt like a low battery charge, I waited a moment then switched the gas selector to reserve, primed it, hit the switch and it started running. After running at low speed for awhile I switched back to main gas and the ski ran well at lower speeds. When I accelerated back to a high speed I had a repeat of the stall.
When I got home I pulled out the SeaDoo shop manual, checked the forums for similar problems and got a few Ideas on what the problem might be.
This is where it gets interesting. I wanted to find out exactly which model GTI I had (for parts ordering), following the manual I checked for the ID's. The tag on the left rear of the Ski had no 4 digit code (5865, 5866, 5867). I then checked the engine looking for a tag on the upper side of the magneto and there was none, instead I found it on top of the Magneto and it read Rotax model 657X
According to several websites and the manual, The GTI was never built with a 657X, and there was no GTI in 1995. Also the 657's were phased out entirely in 1996. Checking into it more it looks like the engine is factory mounted so I am guessing someone hadn't dropped in a different engine. (don't think a 657X would mate in place of a 717) Also, My understanding is the 657X was only used in 94 -XP's and 95 SPX and GTX models.
Is there some visual distinction between a 657X and a 717 block that I can use to ID the engine and if so what is it? I believe the 657's have an elbow fitting on the head, located on the Right Hand Top & the 717's do not? My Ski does not have the elbow. The Ski has DESS.
Meanwhile I am trying to guess possible senarios on what I have, maybe a switched out Mag housing? But the exhaust is a 657 style too. Maybe someone in the past dropped in smaller engine (naw) or a Pre-Prod Factory Built (the missing 4 digit code plays into this), or?
I've attached some pic's for ref, looking for ideas and comments on resolving what engine I've got. Need to get this resolved quickly, thanks for your help in advance..
Best regards
Gene
