Just got some abandoned PWC-what now?

[dubyayoung]

I just got a 1997 Seadoo GTX, and a 1992 Yamaha Waverunner LX from some friends who had just let them sit outside for the last few years, so they are not in great shape appearance wise. They just wanted them off their property. So my question is what should I do now to safely try to get them running? Are there some basic steps that I should take?

I have no experience with PWC, so please keep that in mind when describing things!

At the very least I could part them out and sell the trailer, but I really would like to get them operational.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[scooper77515]

How mechanically inclined are you? You will need it.

I got mine the same way.

It only took $200 to get it running, and another $150 to get it running GOOD.

Been enjoying it ever since.

First thing, check to see if the engines are free or are they seized. If they are seized, I would try to part them out rather than try to get them running.

 

[dlowings]

If I were to pick up to skis like that, the first thing I would do is WD-40 the two cylinders via the spark plug holes... let it sit for about a week with lots of WD-40... Then after a week, with the plugs out try to turn the shaft that goes to the pump. Let that thing sit out in the sun on the day that you try to turn the shaft dont do it in a cool shop...

my theory is that the rust ring damage your going to find will be easy for the machine shop to clean up. lol

 

[dubyayoung]

Thanks for the replies. I'll get some WD-40 in there and start letting it do it's thing. Have to see if I can resurrect the batteries anyway in the mean time.

The GTX has a kill switch connector, but the older wave runner has nothing that I can see. Does anyone know if the old wave runners had a safety kill link or even a key?

 

[blackdog98]

well... i wanted to add. 1st, i think it's much better to use Marvel Mystery Oil rather than WD. Second, regarding the kill switch, they do have them. It's a safety thing. Older ones tend to have a clip or a cap type lanyard that either goes under the switch on handle bars, or right in front of you over the button. Regardless, DO NOT BYPASS THESE!!! Any PWC that floats is worth doing something with. Best to you!!!

 

[dubyayoung]

Funny you should say that about the Marvel Mystery Oil! I couldn't find my WD-40, but I did have a little MMO left in a can, so I diluted it with a little gas to stretch it out a bit and poured that in the spark plug holes and let it sit a day.

They both turned over fine, and the GTX even started (in a giant cloud of smoke, mind you). I didn't run it too long because I had boxes on the patio where I have the skis that were getting wet from the water I was running through the GTX, so I had to shut it off. It was still running a little rough, but I don't know if it would have smoothed out or not. I didn't put any new gas in it, so it was running on what ever was still in the tank. Next step is draining the tank and putting in fresh gas!

I'm concerned about a high pitched rattle that comes and goes down by the jet pump/water intake area. I don't know if it's got a worn bearing, or if they all make that noise when not in the water. Any thoughts?

As far as the Wave Runner goes, I couldn't get it started. Even with starter fluid it wouldn't ignite. Next step check for spark (and get some fresh gas as well).

I figured out that the kill safety switch on the wave runner is a button that has to be lifted to let it run. I'm guessing there was a forked key or something that is slid under the button to keep it up?

 

[scooper77515]

The smoke was most likely from the Marvel oil. It will probably burn off after a couple minutes running.

That rattle in the jet pump it normal. Our skis tend to do that.

Engines turning over and running...GOOD START!:hurray::hurray:

You probably have something to work with and get water-proof.

 

[blackdog98]

The high pitched rattle you hear is normal outside the water... you'll realize by looking that it is the steering area rattling, when the VTS operates correctly, this will move up and down. MMO is the shiznit!!! Love that stuff...
Old gas is nasty stuff, get rid of it all. I'm sure it will smooth out once you run it a little more. But bad gas will do that.
The waverunner "KEY" you refer to as a fork is basically just that. It clips on underneath. Opposite of Seadoo's with the button.

Just make sure you empty out the old, fush, add new and be amazed at how resilient these machines are. Being 2 stroke, there's not a lot to them. Just take care of them and they will give you years of enjoyment.

Anyone have any suggestions on my little problem????

 

[dubyayoung]

Great news! (and some bad news)

The great news is that after draining the gas and putting in fresh gas and new plugs, the Wave Runner started and ran fine. It took a while of cranking, but now it starts every time and runs very smooth.:hurray:

The bad news is that now the GTX does not want to crank over! The starter hits, but it's like there is not enough power to crank it over. I thought the battery might be bad, so I swapped it with the Wave Runner, but it does the same thing, and the Wave Runner starts fine with the GTX battery.

I squirted some starter fluid in, and it finally started, but after running a while I shut it off and tried to restart it, but it wouldn't crank again.

Any thoughts?

Also the GTX was pretty rough when it was running compared to the Wave Runner, and would smoke at higher RPMs. The Waver Runner smoothed right out at higher RPMs. Kinda concerned the GTX may be in trouble.

Also anyone have a clue how I could check the oil? I haven't found where to check the oil in either one of these things.

 

[dubyayoung]

It's all good now

I charged the battery again for the GTX and it fired right up! I guess it just takes a bit more to turn it over.

I still would like to know where to check the oil in these machines.

Now I just need to figure out how to get abandoned vehicles titled and I'll be heading for the lake!

Thanks for the help on here!

:seeya:

 

[scooper77515]

Now that you have them running (sort of...) getting them titled and licensed may be the most difficult part...:ack:

 

[dubyayoung]

All dressed up and no where to go!

Just waiting for the titles and registration now!

By the way, this is what happens when you go to the half priced upholstery shop and are not specific about the colors!:stupid:
:ack:

Well, no trouble telling which ones are mine at the lake now!
:rofl:

 

[hitman782]

Looks like you got a sweet deal there, hope you enjoy those, one quick question, what color are the fuel lines on them?

 

[dubyayoung]

The fuel lines on the GTX appear to be a clear (opaque yellow with age), and the Waverunner's are dark charcoal gray almost black.

Why do you ask?

 

[timmyboy76]

damn...never saw ur thread, but if I had, i'd have ask, how mux you wanted for the GTX...im in Smellsimore.

 

[hitman782]

I know on the Sea-Doo's, the gray ones are bad, the fuel will eat away at the lines and clog up both the lines and your carb

 

[heythere152]

just rebuilt mikuni carbs on my 98 gsx limited, do i need to prime the system

just replaced all lines an rebuilt the 2 carbs. the only thing i didnt do was take out the fuel baffle..is that something i should've done. i changed the gas all the lines and filters. should i dry start the ski while the lines are empty or is there a bleed screw of any sort..thanx