Newbie needs assistance with 95 SP

[GWCDOO]

Hi Guys, just purchased a used 1995 Seadoo SP in unknown condition that had been sitting for a while. It didnt have a battery in it, so I hooked up a battery booster just to get an idea of condition. made some weird noises, a siren/buzzer went off but the motor would not turn, then I removed the spark plugs and tried again...well it turns now, and I got an oil shower. I put the plugs back in and will not turn. any help or suggestions??? what can I test or check. I really want to get this thing in the water

 

[GWCDOO]

another question, there is a black battery cable about a foot long that was loose in the engine compartment, I assume one end goes to the battery, can anyone tell me where the other end attaches? thanks

 

[deepdiver]

I got the same oil shower. In another thread I learned this is an indication the crankshaft seal(s) are shot. recommended rebuilt motor. About $750. Its still sitting on my trailer beside its twin.
One end of the black cable is the battery negative. The other end connects to the starter ground connection which is in front of starter under the heat exchanger on port side. If it was disconnected I don't see how you cranked the engine.
Hope you didn't pay much for the Seadoo.

 

[GWCDOO]

I got the same oil shower. In another thread I learned this is an indication the crankshaft seal(s) are shot. recommended rebuilt motor. About $750. Its still sitting on my trailer beside its twin.
One end of the black cable is the battery negative. The other end connects to the starter ground connection which is in front of starter under the heat exchanger on port side. If it was disconnected I don't see how you cranked the engine.
Hope you didn't pay much for the Seadoo.

Well, after getting a service manual, I thought it needed a new starter, so took the exhaust off and more oil poured out when I took the manifold off. I changed the starter and its doing the same thing. sometimes it clicks, sometimes it sounds like it wants to turn, but doesnt. even with the plugs out, it wont spin sometimes and sometimes it will, and I can turn it over by hand with no problem, so I know its not seized. I'm totally confused. I have the main ground wire which goes to the starter and the battery connected, but when I bought the ski, there was another short cable laying in the engine compartment(black about 14" long) and I wasnt sure if it went with this ski or if someone just threw it in there.

and no, I didn't pay much for it, but dont know if I want to invest $750 for a new engine, at least until I find out for sure that this engine is no good.

 

[deepdiver]

You are right... someone just threw it in there.
Probably your battery booster isn't putting out the 100A needed to really power that starter. You can connect a car battery to it with jumper cables, just don't have car running. Otherwise you may burn up the electric due to two charging systems bucking each other.

 

[deepdiver]

But I don't expect anything but spitting oil as before.uke:

 

[GWCDOO]

I will try that, I'll let ya know, thanks for your help

 

[RockyS]

My 95 sp has an intermittent starter issue. Sometimes when you hit the starter button nothing, sometimes it starts ok. I've read that these skis have a issue with corrosion in the starter cables, which in turn does not make good connection to the starter all of the time.

 

[voodoo]

Lay some old clothes over the plug holes and crank the motor to spit out as much oil as you can, as mentioned this is common with older motors and has little effect on running - so when you park do not fill the oil tank. Keep the spin time limited to a minute or less then let the cranking motor cool off, once you feel all the oil has misted out then put plugs back in with a spoon of gas and try again, once it does start you will see a smoke cloud like in a movie, rev the motor a few times to clear it out and then you can observe any fuel/oil leaks, dip it in the water and run some more to get all the juices flowing and repair any leaks you find, dip again to test before you go zip away from the dock only to paddle back. Mark the oil tank so you know it is drinking in sync with the running time you have the first few times to the water.

 

[deepdiver]

Thanks voodoo. Sounds like I may not junk my other 95SPX after all. I assume you mean I can run even with a leaking crank seal. Repairing that "leak" is the hard part.