looking for advice on a 97 GTi

[RockHound68]

Hi

I am looking at buying a 97 Sea Doo GTi for $1300. The owner says it needs a new gasket in the lower engine because water is getting into the engine and fouling the spark plugs. The cylinder compression is supposedly still good. The owner said he was quoted a repair price of $400 to $600 for a local shop to fix it. Would this be a major task to pull the engine myself and replace the gasket? Does that seem like a reasonable price for this ski and what else should I look for before I make a decision on buy this ski? Any advice would be much appreciatied.

Thank you
RockHound

 

[ocod]

I got a 96 with bad motor and trailer for 600.
And if water is coming to the plugs??(think he means cyl head) then to replace top gasket is not that much and easy fix. If it is fouling plugs then it is running rich and there is a problem with the oil injection. Remove current plugs and look at them. Very black and wet are fouled.
You can go to parts store before and buy 2 plugs NGK BR8ES and see if it runs/idles better. Cost you 5 bucks.
If you check compression yourself (low 120 - 150 good) and it runs/starts then offer him 900 and see if he takes it.
If it doesn't start or tells you no battery you can make sure engine not locked by turning wheel at the back of ski with spark plugs out.
Its better to water test but on the info you gave doubt that will be possible.

With that if you are not mechanically inclined take someone who is or pay to have it checked. You could buy a better one if you have to drop a grand to fix it... Just a thought.

 

[Dr Honda]

If it's not ridable right now... it's not worth $1300.

Normally, when water is getting into the engine... it's because it was allowed to sit outside during the winter... and it was not properly winterized. (There could be cracked/damaged engine parts)

It's very unlikely that it has a bad base gasket without some other problems. Also... if the base gasket is leaking... the engine would be running lean, and could have burnt pistons.

If it's very clean... and you know YOU can fix the problem... I would offer him $900.

 

[ocod]

If it's not ridable right now... it's not worth $1300.

Normally, when water is getting into the engine... it's because it was allowed to sit outside during the winter... and it was not properly winterized. (There could be cracked/damaged engine parts)
It's very unlikely that it has a bad base gasket without some other problems. Also... if the base gasket is leaking... the engine would be running lean, and could have burnt pistons.

If it's very clean... and you know YOU can fix the problem... I would offer him $900.

I can see how thats possible. Crack jug water seeps in...

 

[RockHound68]

Thanks for info ocod and Dr Honda. I will be going to look at it in the next day or two and hope to get more of an idea of what is wrong with it.

Thanks again
RockHound

 

[suppresst]

You're risking everything on this seller's word about what is actually wrong with this ski. Price isn't too bad if seller is correct, but who suffers if seller is wrong or lying? Low ball this baby or walk away.