1996 XP and GTx new owner (hopefully)

[dontilgon]

I've been lurking in the forums and absorbing as much as i can understand about jet ski. 96 seems to be a pretty good year for older models. I'm going today to look at and hopefully purchase a 1996 xp and gtx. Looking for advice on what to look for and when I should walk away. I work on cars and dirtbikes on a regular basis but never got in to skis. What are the differences between both models , mainly mechanically. What are the major design flaws for the years. What should be the first upgrade made them. Ill post back today with a pic of them on a trailer hopefully. Thanks in advance

 

[Matt Braley]

The rectifier/regulator in the 96 front grey boxes fail, pumps will need new wear rings, and carbs need to be gone through with OEM Mikuni kits. The mechanical part of the skis are pretty much the same with the GTX being a great family/wife model and the lighter XP being the answer to all the world's problems. It has the best handling and with that 787 in it you can't beat the power to weight ratio.

 

[soccerdad]

Bring a battery if you can because they are often bad in a ski for sale. Do a compression test if at all possible. They need to be around 150psi with a minimum of 130 or it will need to be rebuilt. If you put the key on them and they crank, and they have good compression, then almost anything else can be fixed without much issue. If it does not even try to crank (with a good battery), you have to assume it has a bad brain (MPEM) so figure $200 to replace that. If it will not crank with the key, then you can bypass the entire brain to make it crank for a compression test. Just pull the rear black box lid that has the plug wires coming out if it. Then take a screwdriver and jump across the two big lugs on the solenoid. The motor should spin over. If not, then assume bad motor, and bad MPEM. At that point you are looking at around $1200 for a motor and brain. And maybe other stuff. If you are new at it, you may want to pass at that point. But they are both great skis if you get them running. About $1600 each here in good running shape. (with trailer). Likely higher where you live.

 

[dontilgon]

Thanks for the advice, which I used. I brought them home last night. I will get some pics up soon. I paided 2000 total with trailer. They both fired rite up. Im going through them this morning. The gtx is totally untouched but the xp as a couple things going on. the vts is disconnected along with the oil mixing unit. I put the xp on the water for about 20 minutes and zero problems. HAvnt tested the gtx . Will do today , probably last day to get on the water in NY . Temperature is dropping quick. The guys said he only used bombardier oil . Thanks again Joe Pics to follow

 

[soccerdad]

Nice. Be careful on your testing. If the fuel lines are gray, they have to be changed or they will plug your carbs, lean the motor and kill your new toys. So if they are gray, I would not do any full speed runs, and only a very short ride. (I actually would not ride them at all until the carbs are rebuilt, lines are changed and the fuel selector switch is replaced. Enjoy the toys and new hobby! Congrats!

 

[dontilgon]

So my neighbor who owns about 6 xps was kind of enough to give me parts that i was missing. The only splices in the harness was to the fuse box in the rear and a cut vts wire. He removed the vts. I was able to source all the parts needed to put back on. I started with simply removing the fuse box with the 2 fuses, coil and starter relay/solenoid . After doing so, I now longer get any beeps to start the motor. I cleaned all wires and still nothing. I asked the previous owner why he spliced wires in the inside of the black box, he said the 6 pin connector on top was messed up. Any clue? I know I know if it wasn't broke why fix.

 

[dontilgon]

Okay fixed, it was a bad connector. Now I know why he disconnected the vts. Every time i plug in the connector (two prong one) it pops the 7.5 fuse in the back or the 5 fuse in the from front box. Any suggestions. I would like to have a working vts. Thanks

 

[omboli]

Test the vts with a power probe or a multi meter for shorts check the VTS switch with a meter the switch is cheap the VTS is a couple hundred

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Sea-Doo Forum mobile app

 

[edg]

Be aware of 'Hydro Locking'. If when you crank it over and hear a thunk, pull the plugs out and put some paper towels over the openings then crank it. 1 cylinder will have a bunch of oil coming out it is Hydro Locked. It takes some time time, but you can clear it out and it should start.

We had this happen for a few years on our '97 GTX until someone here wrote the solution. If you get them, PM me or search it on this forum. Good luck!!!

 

[mikidymac]

The VTS unit is known to go bad and they generally can’t be repaired. If it is popping fuses it’s bad and has been known to fry the MPEM (computer) so most people will unplug them until they can be replaced.

Minnetonka4me on here will sell you a guaranteed tested good used one.

 

[edg]

Minnetonka4me on here will sell you a guaranteed tested good used one.

I second Minnetonka4me! That is my first contact when looking for parts and they worked with my MPEM and shipped it out the day he received it!!!!!! I'm sure that is not normal, but it was sure nice.