• This site contains eBay affiliate links for which Sea-Doo Forum may be compensated.

Newbie questions

Status
Not open for further replies.
get_real

get_real

Active Member
Just got my XP yesterday and have a few general questions. My ski has no gauges, just 3 black disks on the dash. Can I install some gauges, and where could I buy them? I'd like to have a speedometer, RPM and hour gauge. I see on the back of the ski a small wheel that spins and looks like a speed sensor. Can that be hooked up to a gauge?

Also, what are a few good online sources for parts? I found Watercraft Superstore which seem pretty good, but just curious what some of the other folks use. For example, where is a good source for good prices on 2-cycle oil, and what brands are best.

Also, do you guys recommend getting the Clymer Seadoo manual or are there better manuals available.
 
i'll answer out of order...

clymer,, NO.... go to google, type in seadoo manual download free , and download it for nothing

oil, wally world api-tc quicksilver 2 stroke oil... (do not buy tcw3) or seadoo dealer, or go to amsoil.com and buy a case of amsoil interceptor.

gauges.... i'd skip the rpm/hour (gauge) and buy a tto trail tach external tach/hour meter, under $40 shipped on ebay.

speedo, although its a nice idea, its not going to be accurate, we lovingly call it a dream-0-meter, however, you could install it, assuming you have the proper wiring, we'll revisit that.. if you want really accurate speeds, get a cheap e-trex gps, it will be spot on... otherwise, if your riding a 96 xp,,, its real simple, if your going about half throttle, your going about 28-32mph... if your going full throttle, your going about 55ish...

i'd worry about the gauges AFTER your sure the XP itself is running spot on,, (and a tach helps to confirm that) its more important to have a motor thats running great, and a hull that doesn't take on water, before you worry about the other crap.

wcss is a good site, but for most parts IMO, you want to buy good quality used parts, there are members here like tonka that will help you out... we'll get to that later in the thread...

ps... welcome to the seadoo world... where in the united states are you ?
 
Hi & Welcome to the forum.

Amsoil is a leading oil, but buy Interceptor ONLY if you have a 787 or 951 motor, Injector by Amsoil is OK to use in the 717 or smaller motors.
Quicksilver PWC oil is OK and it's cheaper.

I have a clymer manual and there are mistakes in it.
I became a premium member and downloaded the 2 manuals I needed and had them printed out in book form.
 
Wow, great info. Glad to hear about the manual downloads and Quicksilver ati-tc at wallyworld. Dealer told me to use tcw3 synthetic and wanted $58 for a brand I never heard of.

I'm in middle Georgia about 2 hours below Atlanta. I had no idea this thing would go 55! That's crazy. Will have to get my sea-legs slowly!

Just curious, why the three gauge holes if they don't install them at the factory? Was that something optional that was available on some models?
 
assuming the ski you own is in the pic/description, you have a 96 xp,, and ya, 53-55 mph is about right for a good running engine, low 60's if modded up, but one step at a time, your dealer/salesman is an idiot, never take advice from them (or at least that guy) again.

if this is your first ski, or first seadoo 787, then ya, you'll feel quite fast... and it's about 3-5 mph faster than a comparable late 90's yamaha. the quicksilver will have a pink label, and not ALL wally worlds carry it,, so go in prepared to not find it.. :(

3 gauges are stock/factory, somebody removed them... is the electrical box stock ? (light grey box about the size of a shoe box with a bunch of wires coming out of it)

by now you should have already downloaded a manual, if not, again, google is your friend... and the least expensive option is amsoil.com for interceptor assuming you want 4 gallons (which should last you quite some time) its like $125 shipped for a case of it (buy the $10 trial membership)

re: gauges, somebody pulled them, sold them (i'm 99% sure i'm right about that) but its quite simple, you have a 9 gallon gas tank which means your good for about a little over 40 miles per tank full, don't ride alone especially the first few trips out on the ski, in case you break down, get your safety gear in order (tow line, whistle, etc etc) and do me a favor...

look inside your engine, are your fuel lines black or grey ? how clean/dirt is the inside of your hull. is the prop in good shape ?
 
Nope...someone was too lazy to get replacements or something. You are gonna want to open the hood up and make sure the connectors are still there.

I have the LCD you need for the gas gauge, skip the speedo and get a tto tach like spim said.

Take some pictures and post them up...specifically of the wiring and the rest of the engine area. Im a bit worried you over paid for a cobbled together machine. I saw your other thread about the dealer. Any dealer is going to be extremely nice selling a machine...jus' sayin'

Its def clean, but thats the least of your worries. Anyone can buff out a ski. Im hoping to see they did some of the things needed inside the hull. The fact the gauges werent there is a big question mark.

Im not ragging on you or the dealer. Just trying to teach you what to look for and what things are worth. Thats fair to high up here in MN, thats really high price in the south.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
just read the first thread, didn't see it b4, yes, please post pics, several, especially the inside engine compartment.

on paper you overpaid, BUT.... if it runs for the next year or three trouble free then you didn't... so just move on past that subject and forget what you paid for it, whats most important is what you pay over the next year or two keeping it running, hopefully minimal.
(i would have sold you mine for that price and it has $900 worth of mods on it)
 
Agree that time will tell if I got a decent deal. I basically just wanted to get one and learn, and from what I've read on the forum so far I think I'll be happy if it's relatively sound mechanically. I'm trying to post some pics and I'll see if it works. This new Chromebook computer is a little funky, no hard drive. I'll hit post and see if they are attached.

https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B1iLnveFak5hSXFGNHpBR2djZDA/edit?usp=sharing
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Cheapest way to get oil is buy the amsoil interceptor in cases of 4 gallons. I think it was $142 shipped to my door and that included the $10 6 month trial membership. Anything after that is $132. I used to buy the quicksilver from Wally World but I roll amsoil ony now. Speaking of which I need to order a batch!
 
Im not seeing anything bad, and although they used clear lines at least the fuel lines were replaced. Most likely that means the carbs have been at least checked. The paint is knocked off the Rave valves so they have been cleaned at some point. Quite odd...esp price wise why they didnt put some used gauges in there before they sold it.
 
CAM00156.jpg
Minnetonka4me said:
Im not seeing anything bad, and although they used clear lines at least the fuel lines were replaced. Most likely that means the carbs have been at least checked. The paint is knocked off the Rave valves so they have been cleaned at some point. Quite odd...esp price wise why they didnt put some used gauges in there before they sold it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for looking at the pictures. Glad you didn't see anything major. The tech that showed me a few things about the ski after the sale said to use synthetic oil to prevent the Rave valves from sticking. I would guess maybe they were removed and cleaned so maybe that removed the paint. I am also perplexed about the missing gauges and think I will call the dealer on Monday. Maybe I can talk them into pulling some from another unit, I believe they had 3 older XP's in stock.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yeah you definitely want the LCD multi gauge. They should throw it in since you paid so much for the ski. I paid $1500 with trailer for mine in July 2011. It had low hours and was in excellent shape. Your going to love it though, its probably my favorite ski.
 
Man you got a deal! You will smile ear to ear the first time you hammer the throttle on that thing. Braaaaaapppppp!!! Go ahead and get some sponsons, grate, and a single gauge hood! Haha!!
 
WhiskeyD said:
Yeah you definitely want the LCD multi gauge. They should throw it in since you paid so much for the ski. I paid $1500 with trailer for mine in July 2011. It had low hours and was in excellent shape. Your going to love it though, its probably my favorite ski.
Click to expand...

I agree with Whiskey,, the LCD multi gauge is really the only valuable gauge IMO... mainly for the fuel gauge, my fuel gauge stopped working some time ago, and I don't worry about it too much, i pretty much know how far I can go with a tank. but that gauge out of all IMO is the most important one, the vts is nice as well (assuming the vts is working, the OP will have to check into that first before bothering with that)
 
Spimothy Leary said:
I agree with Whiskey,, the LCD multi gauge is really the only valuable gauge IMO... mainly for the fuel gauge, my fuel gauge stopped working some time ago, and I don't worry about it too much, i pretty much know how far I can go with a tank. but that gauge out of all IMO is the most important one, the vts is nice as well (assuming the vts is working, the OP will have to check into that first before bothering with that)
Click to expand...

Called the dealer today. Though they are closed I was able to talk with someone at the shop. He told me gauges only last about 10 years and most people remove them when they stop working and install the black disks over the holes. He said they are no longer available from Seadoo. He did offer to go out tomorrow and look to see if any of the other units have any working gauges or if they have any laying around the shop. He also told me I could bring it back and exchange if for a different unit. Not sure what I'll do, quess I talk to them tomorrow and go from there. Someone on the forum offered to sell me 2 of the gauges so I will probably take him up on the offer if I decide to keep the unit. I've only had it for 2 days, but after reading all the posts on the forum about the XP's really would like to keep it.
 
Keep it and run it. IMO, Dont get to caught up on all the bells and whistles until you have been able to run it and you know it is a good ski. Minnetonka will be able to help with many used parts, he wont send them to you unless he knows they are working.
 
Gotta love dealers...NO one takes all the gauges out including the gas gauge. And NO they dont TYPICALLY die either. Get faded? Absolutely. Also got to love how they just refuse to accept the used parts market is out there.

To tell you the truth, Ive NEVER seen them taken out. many dont work, but they are a PITA to take out.


These types of things are the reason people hate dealers...or Stealerships as we like to say.

I am so dang lucky to have my nearest dealer who are bucking that norm.
 
agree with the posters, i'd keep it and run it, the gauges (used) are reasonably cheap, as long as you still have the proper connections.
heck, i probably have at least two if not 3 info gauges in my box-o-stuff.
run the ski, make sure it runs (you have 60 days right?)
THEN worry about the gauges...
 
Spimothy Leary said:
agree with the posters, i'd keep it and run it, the gauges (used) are reasonably cheap, as long as you still have the proper connections.
heck, i probably have at least two if not 3 info gauges in my box-o-stuff.
run the ski, make sure it runs (you have 60 days right?)
THEN worry about the gauges...
Click to expand...

That sounds like a plan. The next warm weekend above 60 (I don't like cold!) I'll take it to the lake and test it. I really appreciate everyone's advice and help. I think I'm really going to enjoy this forum and jet skis in general. Downloaded both the parts and shop manuals today, can't believe how detailed they are! At least now I know the "big pipe on top" is the head pipe assembly! :coolgleam:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Just pulled the cover below the gauges and I do have three connectors so I assume I could add the gauges. Also, I saw one of the connectors in the front hall area that is not connected. Wonder what that is? View attachment 17519
 

Attachments

  • wiring1.jpg
    wiring1.jpg
    319.4 KB · Views: 23
  • hoodwire.jpg
    hoodwire.jpg
    264.8 KB · Views: 18
If you tell me the colors of the wires on that connector, I can tell you. Just pull back the black sleeve. If it is blues, it goes to your oil sending unit, pinks is your fuel sending unit, purple and tan is your beeper, black and yellow is the start stop.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Jeffspx
96 XP resto with 97 SPX donor
Replies
5
Views
418
mikidymac
mikidymac
E
1996 Seadoo SPX no gauges coming on, no start
Replies
1
Views
243
artr
artr
James96xp
96xp electrical issue
Replies
20
Views
1,075
burtshaver2021
burtshaver2021
S
SPX Bad MPEM?
Replies
4
Views
410
SeaDooDoo90
S
T
  • Locked
Seadoo newbie
Replies
2
Views
311
Traderguy_55
T
Back
Top