Looking into buying a 96' GTX

[skymac]

Hey,

Looking into buying a 96' GTX which what I presume would be the 787 in it. Does anyone have any helpful things to look for while doing a prebuy inspection on it?

I will be checking the fuel strainer, wear ring, and taking an volt meter to the battery to make sure the rectifier is working.

I also have a compression checker BUT I don't know what pressure I would be looking for and im looking for a split no more than 10lbs between the two correct?

Thanks,
Justin

 

[Dr Honda]

Depending on the price......


If it's cheap.....

Check compression. (150 psi)
start it
Look for rotten rubber parts
check that all the cables are free. (throttle, choke, steering)


If it's very cheap....

Just buy it, and expect to work on it.


If its "Book Price"....


Take it out for a test ride. It can look perfect on the trailer, and run well... but all kinds of gremlins will come out once there is a load on it, and it's sitting in the water.

 

[LouDoo]

Hi Justin,

You might also want to check if the ski has the original grey fuel lines, while this is not a deal breaker, plan on spending $150-200, to replace the fuel lines, filters, fuel selector valve.

Lou

 

[skymac]

Will check..

But 150psi on the compression, wouldnt that be a factory number? I was thinking I would see something aroudn 135psi. I used to work at a boat shop but its been a few years and I forget the specs and hopefully no more than 10psi difference between them.

When checking the compression, you need to put the plug wires on the grounding posts correct?


Also, what the deal with everything I hear on here about clipping plug wires? Is that something that should just be done anyway since it is a 96? or is that for a particular problem?

 

[skymac]

Any specific grade fuel line to look for? We have a local rubber/gasket supplier here that has all that stuff pretty cheap in bulk. I would assume just a regular fuel line.

 

[seadooya]

if spark is weak, then clip them. The psi, shouldn't be more than 10%, and for that motor(787), perfect is 160lbs.

yup, ground the wires to the lugs.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes... 150 is a factory number... but once the rings loose their edge... it will start to drop quickly.

If you see 140 or better... you will be OK. If you see 135 or lower... plan on a top end in the near future.


Hoses....

Regular 1/4" automotive, black rubber line will work. (and about a dozen hose clamps) The gray "Tempo" lines are a marine hose... and they don't like the alcohol in the fuel we now get. So... the inside swells up... turns into green jello, and plugs the system. You can change them all over for $40 (20' of hose, clamps, and carb cleaner) but it can become more if you need to buy a new valve, and 2 carb kits.

Clipping the wires is if you have a high speed miss. I have a 1990 Si, and I never clipped the wires. You only need to do it if there is an issue.

 

[skymac]

Thanks for the valueable info.

I will let you know what I find. I figured around $50 to replace the lines. I had never heard of clippings the wires, but just something you see all the time here so I wanted to investigate more.

 

[LouDoo]

I usually use the mid-grade gasoline 89 octane. I also use ethonol free gas, ethanol attracts moisture.

If you get gas at the marina you will probably be getting 87 octane. 87octane is the min. octane that SeaDoo recommends.

Lou