1997 GTX getting started

[JerryLook]

This is what I received. So it looks like they are resistor boots. Honestly I had to look it up. I’ve been working on various motors my whole life and didn’t know there was an option. I always just get what was on there or what is called out by the manufacturer

 

[JerryLook]

I was just working on this. My GTX has NGK resistor boots P/N TB05EMA and non resistor (I think) NGK plugs P/N BR8ES. The coil was probably stock. It was a Denso unit

I have never messed with this type of spark plug boot before. So the wire just kind of twists into the end of the boot and that’s how it’s attached? I saw some videos on YouTube about how some boots have the spring inside that you take out, but these boots are not like that.

 

[burtshaver2021]

The R in BR8ES stands for resistor

 

[JerryLook]

Darn. Is there a recommended non resistor plug I can swap these out with then? Or should I keep the plugs and find some different boots

 

[burtshaver2021]

Darn. Is there a recommended non resistor plug I can swap these out with then? Or should I keep the plugs and find some different boots

To make it simple, was there anything wrong with the old boots?

 

[burtshaver2021]

Quick google search says B8ES

 

[JerryLook]

No there’s nothing wrong that I can see with the old boots. Does the wire just unscrew out of them?

 

[burtshaver2021]

I don’t believe that they are threaded but you do twist them as you take them off and put them on, clip a 1/4” off the plug wire before you put them back on

 

[mikidymac]

Yes, they have a screw in the caps. Unscrew the old ones and screw them on the new wires.

 

[JerryLook]

Thanks

 

[JerryLook]

So is it a problem that I have resistor plugs and boots? That’s how it came to me, but it came to me not running. Nothing looks new in the engine compartment

 

[mikidymac]

Yes, you don’t run resistor plugs and resistor caps.
If it has OEM boots they are not resistor and why BR8ES plugs are specified.

You can use resistor boots but then you would switch to B8ES plugs, either way is fine.

 

[lagojaguarasp]

OEM Spark plug boot part number for you SD is #278000237 wich will show up to be a NGK TB05EM part, a resistor-type boot. Spark plugs are ALSO resistor-type BR8ES NGK. Resistor boot AND resistor spark-plug setups are not that common but that's the factory setup. Would strongly advise against using either a non-resistor plug or boot on any Seadoo. (But if you insist on doing it, please tell us how it went).

 

[JerryLook]

I was googling around earlier trying to find a parts catalog for my jetski. To figure out what should be in there. Thank you for that info @lagojaguarasp

 

[burtshaver2021]

1997 SeaDoo GTX Parts Catalog - FREE PDF Download!

 

[lagojaguarasp]

Also, while the NGK TB05EM is the OEM part, any boot that has a 5 kΩ resistor should be electrically compatible with the factory style. Regarding the parts catalog, i downloaded many for free from SeaDoo Manuals - FREE PDF Download!. Edit - burtshaver just beat me to it!

 

[mikidymac]

OEM Spark plug boot part number for you SD is #278000237 wich will show up to be a NGK TB05EM part, a resistor-type boot. Spark plugs are ALSO resistor-type BR8ES NGK. Resistor boot AND resistor spark-plug setups are not that common but that's the factory setup. Would strongly advise against using either a non-resistor plug or boot on any Seadoo. (But if you insist on doing it, please tell us how it went).

Great info, see us old timers can learn something too.
Was one of those "always told it was that way" kind of things. Guess next time I have my ski out I will pull the cap and test the resistance.

 

[JerryLook]

So after changing the coil out I still don’t have any spark. What’s the next thing to look at?

 

[JerryLook]

The MPEM box controls spark right?

 

[lagojaguarasp]

The MPEM box controls spark right?

It controls spark advance and whatnot but it gets the clue on when to fire the spark plugs from the trigger coil (a far simpler and cheaper component that you should be testing)

 

[lagojaguarasp]

This is the trigger coil test procedure as is on the 1997 Seadoo Service manual, page 167: