1997 SPX -Help with recomended service/repairs/upgrades?

[CASPX]

Hi Forum Members,
I am new to the world of skis and looking for some recommendations on what service/maintenance I need to do to my skis (yes I am a noob . I do own a highly modified old 2 stoke quad (LT500) so I have a little knowledge of 2 stroke motors & mechanical ability to wrench on them. That being said...

I recently got 2 1997 SPXs that my father bought new in 1997.
The skis have literally 15 hours on them each, which my brother and I put on them, so I know their complete history. The skis, have only been ridden in salt water and flushed every time after and stored in-doors with covers since new. The motors where not fogged just flushed after the couple of rides we did and I do live in Southern California (if that makes a difference).

In the past both exhausts have had multiple exhaust plugs go bad and we repaired one and replaced the other exhaust chamber. Currently both skis seems to start & idle fine out of the water (have not tested in the water) BUT both fuel gauges are not working as well as one of the VTS trim systems. Also the 2-stroke oil in both is the original from the factory. I have been doing some lurking and here and it seems that some of my issues are pretty common, like the fuel gauges.

Since the skis are working, but have not seen water in at least 5 years, I plan on replacing the gray fuel hoses (per recommendations) and cleaning/checking the fuel filters to see if any green/black gunk has clogged them (I do not believe it has with such little use) before I run them in water.

My question(s) is; what other things would you recommend that I do to the ski given it age & model to make sure I have good running, reliable skis?
1) Replace Gray Fuel Lines
2) Check inline fuel filters, carb fuel filters, fuel selection switch for clogs
3) Hunt Down the fuel gauge issues starting with the baffle/sending unit, floats, etc
4) Repair the VTS
On the VTS, the ski will trim up but not down. Since the trim pump is a electric motor that just runs reverse polarity and it works one way would it be safe to say the problem is in the switch? Or what should do to test the system in order to track down the problem?
5) Anything else???


Any suggestions/recommendations and maybe a point in the right direction as far as a previous thread would be great.

Thanks for your help
CASPX

 

[Dr Honda]

Sounds like you have your list.

One more thing I would add is to check the oil in the jet pump.

You will remove the nozzle, and there is a plug on the cone. Unthread that, and put something down in there to see what the oil looks like. It should be full and clean. If you need to change it... it's 75w90 GL5 synthetic gear lube.

 

[CASPX]

Dr. Honda,
What about the injector oil, it is original Bombardier rotax injection oil that is 15 years old (never even burned through the 1st tank).

Should I empty the tank and replace?
What about changing the oil injection lines also, is this recommended on my ski

Thanks

 

[Dr Honda]

If the oil was a know good brand. (like seadoo XPS) then I wouldn't drain it. If the oil is "Unknown"... then yes... drain it out, and change the filter.

BUT... I would check the small injector hoses. Just give them a squeeze, and twist. If they rip... replace them.

 

[CASPX]

Here is the oil that is in the tank, straight from 1997.

Should be drained & Changed to the new Seadoo SPX in the yellow bottle?

 

[CASPX]

Bump...anybody know if this is good oil or should I change it after 15 years?

Thanks

 

[Dr Honda]

Sorry.


Well.... on your engine, they recommend the new synthetic oil. It protects better, and keeps the RAVE valves clean. BUT... if the oil in the tank isn't contaminated... I don't think I would drain it. The mineral oil is still a very good oil.

If I was in your position... I would give/sell that oil to someone with a 720 or smaller seadoo... and run a gallon of the black bottle though the system. (it's the synth mix) Then... after that... you can switch to the yellow bottle if you wish.

The synth mix will compatiblize the oils... and it's still an approved oil for your ski.

 

[CASPX]

I did all of the work on the 1st ski including new tygon oil lines, cleaning screw on filter (not much in it no green tar), took apart selector value and cleaned (which had a little green tar,) & checked, pulled carbs & cleaned internal filters (did not touch pop-off disks), fixed F1 fuse on baffle & cleaned the pick up screen, and put all new gas lines on.

Problem now seems to be I can NOT get a consistent fuel supply to the carbs, not even enough to start it. I did read where it says to blow in to the return line to pressurize the fuel feed to the carbs. I tried that for a while and it was not working under lung power so I hooked up the air compressor, adjusted the nozzle pressure to 30lbs and bumped it for over 15 minutes. I got spurts of fuel and compressed air escaping but no solid stream on fuel, even after 15 minutes hitting it with the air compressor.

I checked and the gas tank is full, and I triple checked the lines are hooked up properly and I think they are, here is what I have following the fuel from the baffle round trip:
1) On & reserve hooked to their respective inlets on the fuel selector
2) Out on the fuel selector hooked to in on the screw on gas filter
3) out from the gas filter hooked to the forward carb inlet under the adjuster bracket
4) Carbs hooked together on rear nozzles
5) Return lines hooked to rear carb with short line and front carb with long line on the front nozzle
5) Return lines merged and hooked in to Ret inlet on the baffle
6) Vent lines on baffle are connected to the upper cushion vent nozzle & left side hull nozzle

Any ideas what the problem might be or how I can get the fuel to the carbs in plentiful supply, it seems like there is not enough fuel in he lines to even start the ski. I do not believe these have true fuel pumps, I believe the run off crankcase pluse? So I need constant supply of fuel to carbs right?

Thanks in advance for any help