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1997 787 No Spark-Possible causes

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Krispy

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Talked to someone today selling a '97 787 Powered Seadoo.

He indicated the following:

Compression in both holes is 155 psi

Turns over fine but will not start (no spark)

Replaced rear e-box (coil and solenoid).

Gets 2 beeps when installing the key (Gauges work)

He was aware of the 2 ground cables on the negative battery terminal- His mechanic was not aware of the cable.

The owner is tired of spending money on it and apparently his mechanic isn't too well versed in the older engines.


What I came here to ask is what are the other causes of no-spark?

I am thinking it could be stator or pickup related? Possibly bad plug wire connections at the ends?

I am trying to decide if it is worth driving down to make an offer....

What do yall think?
 
I think you got it nailed. Worst case is the MPEM but that's unlikely since he's got two beeps. If you can get it for a good price buy it.

Lou
 
check grounds on the coil. I had a coil wire rust out. Looked fine, but the leads were badly corroded. Got a really cheap jet ski like that once :)
 
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Here is a pic... What's it worth in your opinions?




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So it's a GSX, looks like the hull's been painted, should be red. You'll like the ski, more of a cruiser than your XP, but just as fast.

Lou
 
go for it if the price is right, the gsx is a great all around fun ski. very stable yet fun to throw around.
 
The question of the day is what is the right price?

Also, notice no reg numbers....might be hard to register.
 
as long there is a title should be easy to register. some state dont require a title but just a registration. just make sure the paper work matches the HIN. as far as worth, your area is much cheaper than mine but as it is, it doesn't run... yet. lol! what's he asking for it? someone will chime in on worthiness.
 
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I didn't even notice no reg. numbers, this is a red flag, if you buy this check and double check the title. I know a lot of times scammers will post a picture of a ski without reg. number. However I can't imagine a scammer using a 1997 ski, so it's probably O.K., but check just to be sure.

Also check and see if the registration is current, you don't want to get hit by any back taxes or registration fees.

Lou
 
as long there is a title should be easy to register. some state dont require a title but just a registration. just make sure the paper work matches the HIN. as far as worth, your area is much cheaper than mine but as it is, it doesn't run... yet. lol! what's he asking for it? someone will chime in on worthiness.

State of GA said:
Boat is registered in Georgia:
Seller should give the buyer a signed, detailed and witnessed bill of sale and the Georgia boat registration card. The bill of sale must contain sufficient information to identify the boat, such as hull identification number, year, make, model, Georgia boat registration number, etc. Buyer should obtain the detailed bill of sale and the seller’s registration card. If the seller is not the owner of record on the Georgia registration, the seller should also give the buyer copies of bills of sale that form a chain back to the owner of record to show the boat was legally transferred by the owner of record to each subsequent owner. Buyer should obtain the detailed bill of sale from the seller and copies of bills of sale going back to the owner of record, and the original registration card if available. The previous owner’s registration card should be retained by the buyer until their registration card is received – after their registration card is received we suggest the previous owner’s registration card be destroyed.

So I have to have a paper trail to the owner of record in GA...He may or may not have that.

He is asking $1200....but it has been for sale for a while so it may be negotiable (said something like "firm" in the ad)
 
$1200, non running, no sale....

$1200 running, easy sale....

no reg's, a lil' suspicious, but dig into paperwork and definitely verify vin, and see if there are outlines from old reg numbers to match up as well, I'm always leery of no reg's, but agree that a 97 is generally not a scammers tool of choice)

I'm guessing its worth $1500ish in the open market. ?

magneto issue maybe for no spark ? but if you have comp but no spark, i'd worry less about diagnosing the problem on site and use it as a negotiating tool, nothing more...

I'm well under 1K value "as is", i don't care if its an "easy fix" IMO that an immediate $500+ drop.

most sellers will have a dam hard time selling something that old non running to a buyer.

but i'll admit, even w/o engine pic's, its a good looking ski from what little we see here so IMO it would be a nice addition to the fleet or a quick & easy flip in the spring.

I'm still somewhat reluctant to put a price tag higher than 1500 these days, no matter what people are asking. (every clown in FL is asking $2000 for their old ski's but they aren't selling)
 
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Yea, I was skeptical about the reg numbers too. That was my first question when I talked to the guy.

He had it out a year ago (he says) never registered it. Bought it from a friend. "It isn't HOT or anything" he said.... I asked if he could track down the bill of sale he got with it, or at a minimum the guys name. He said he remembers the name and may have a bill of sale.

If I get approval from the finanical department I may go there this weekend, but only after I have verified the following.

1. the HIN
2. The name of the person he purchased it from

With that information I may be able to call the state of Georgia and verify the current owner of record for the boat.

With all that said I think my top $ is 1000 given a good compression check at the point of sale.

Who's with my plan?
 
Id be all over that thing for that price here! I paid 1400 for my gsx knowing it needed engine work. They just don't come up for sale in this area offen. My friend offered me $3500 for it last week and I turned it down cause there's no way in hell I could replace it for that much up here


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WOW! I'm seeing a potential business idea... Jet skies are dirt cheap here! I picked up an 03 GTX S/C in NEAR-PERFECT running order for $2400 with trailer. Needed some TLC, a wear ring, prop straightened and maybe some PM. I'm amazed that there's such a demand for skis up there, don't you guys only have like 4 months of jet ski weather?
 
I'd say 5-6 months of riding here. I'll be on the lake mid-end of April and winterizing the first part of October


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Oh, that's not bad. I have always avoided considering Canada as a potential place to live because of the short riding season. I'll keep this in mind :)
 
if the riding season doesn't scare you away, our housing and fuel prices will haha!


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I have a Russian gf. If our "special" circumstances forbid her from living here, BC sounds a LOT better than Moscow! The Russian's don't even know what a boat ramp is. I actually don't know HOW they get things into the water. You think toys cost a lot up there... you have no idea what they pay over there.
 
And I'm Ukranian, we share that ability ;) If I ever find myself living there, first thing I'll try to do is start a marina and build a few boat ramps. Introduce them to the American (modern) boating experience.
 
That's awesome, born there?
I was small when we moved so I don't remember anything.
Yep, moved here when I was 9 some 19 years ago. Saw the collapse of the Union though. It's a shame what's happening there now. I think we've seen the end of the Russia-Ukraine friendship. Ukraine is all sorts of messed up now after what happened. Makes me want to go help their economy... maybe move over there and start a jet ski production facility :thumbsup:
 
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