School me on the 1998 GSX, potential purchase...

[BIGTEX2010]

Hey guys,

So I have an oportunity to get a hold of a 1998(?) GSX with a 951(?) and I wanted to know what I was getting into before I spent the money on it.

Currently it has engine issues and is in pieces. The price is cheap and I am considering another rebuild.

So if you guys could give me the pros, cons and value of these skis it would be greatly appreciated.

What I know:
1- Add states its a 1998 GSX with a 951
2- Seller has told me that both pistons are shot and a Reed valve.
3- asking price of $400 without a trailer.(Ontario, Canada)

Pics:

Ok so with all that said, does this thing have any potential? I am hoping to go and look at it this weekend and see what kind of condition it is really in, also is there anything that I should be looking at before purchasing it.

Thanks in advance

Jeremy

 

[Spimothy Leary]

worth $400 all day long.
it will be quite a bit of work,,, glad i'm not you.
even fixed up it will be ugly, but worth what you'll invest in it, hard for me to put a canadian value on it, but over 2K for sure.
cases don't look cracked, but check them carefully if you can.
good luck !
ps.. it would be nice to know if mpem works...

 

[BIGTEX2010]

worth $400 all day long.
it will be quite a bit of work,,, glad i'm not you.
even fixed up it will be ugly, but worth what you'll invest in it, hard for me to put a canadian value on it, but over 2K for sure.
cases don't look cracked, but check them carefully if you can.
good luck !
ps.. it would be nice to know if mpem works...

Thanks for your reply Spim...

Is there any way that I would be able to tell if the MPEM works?? ... maybe hook up a battery and check for??

 

[Spimothy Leary]

hook to battery, plug into stator, and pray for 2 beeps.

at least thats the general idea

 

[BIGTEX2010]

hook to battery, plug into stator, and pray for 2 beeps.

Thanks again...

and I have to agree with you that it isn't the nicest color scheme but I think it has some potential to look good all cleaned up ... plus the girlfriend likes it lol

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

To much to type. Unless you really want to work on this thing, skip it.

I'd pick it up for $200 because I know it's going to be missing parts.

Do you know 951 skis? if not, since this is already apart, good luck.

send the engine out to have it rebuilt $900-1300

reeds = $100 or so

redo the jet pump = $20 in misc

missing parts = $$$$$$

new fuel lines

New Fuel filter $10

etc etc

I've done lots of 951s, but i HATE it when they come already apart. If i saw this, I'd start the bidding at $150.

how many stainless bolts are you missing? how many parts are gone? no thanks.

even the black starter tells me someone's been messing with it.

that's the rare white 951 engine... also a no thank you.

also. why is the starter wire still attached to the starter?!

and who the hell unbolted the PTO adapter?

Who took this thing out? a blind monkey?

it gets a NO from me. I'd buy it for $150 and part it out.

 

[BIGTEX2010]

To much to type. Unless you really want to work on this thing, skip it.

I'd pick it up for $200 because I know it's going to be missing parts.

Do you know 951 skis? if not, since this is already apart, good luck.

send the engine out to have it rebuilt $900-1300

reeds = $100 or so

redo the jet pump = $20 in misc

missing parts = $$$$$$

new fuel lines

New Fuel filter $10

etc etc

I've done lots of 951s, but i HATE it when they come already apart. If i saw this, I'd start the bidding at $150.

how many stainless bolts are you missing? how many parts are gone? no thanks.

even the black starter tells me someone's been messing with it.

that's the rare white 951 engine... also a no thank you.

also. why is the starter wire still attached to the starter?!

and who the hell unbolted the PTO adapter?

Who took this thing out? a blind monkey?

it gets a NO from me. I'd buy it for $150 and part it out.

Thanks sqrl

but your post has brought a couple questions to my mind ...

What do you mean by "RARE" white 951? ... was this a bad engine??

What problems are there to expect getting a 951 that is already apart? ... and to answer your question, no I do not have any experience with a 951, so is that in it self a curse for me to start off with?

sorry if these questions seem like stupid ones, but I am a newb with only 1 1994 SPX 657 build under my belt... But I am always looking for reasons to learn.

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

This is a little bit more than the average shade tree mechanic can handle, I wouldn't touch it unless you weren't in a rush to get it running and had a big $$$$ pocketbook. You will be pretty much building the ski from scratch and the outside isn't even clean either. I would take it at about the free price range....maybe

 

[BIGTEX2010]

This is a little bit more than the average shade tree mechanic can handle, I wouldn't touch it unless you weren't in a rush to get it running and had a big $$$$ pocketbook. You will be pretty much building the ski from scratch and the outside isn't even clean either. I would take it at about the free price range....maybe

Thanks,

I emailed the seller looking for a little more information ... and in his reply he is firm on the price and says that he has 4 ppl coming to look at it this weekend(including one from 400km away??), I think he may be trying to bluff me into buying it, so I will see if he still has it after the weekend and maybe take the drive over to look at it ...

Thanks for all the opinions and honesty so far and keep it coming.

 

[mikidymac]

The 1998 Gray Ghost was the first year of the 951 and was a one year deal because the white engine was junk and seadoo knew it. I would be surprised if any of them that are stock are still running from what I hear. In 1999 seadoo made major revisions to the 951 and it is the "silver" engine. They are much better than the white but still have their issues. At $400 I just do not se it being a good deal in the long run. If it was all together but locked up and the rest of the ski was clean it might be ok because you could always exchange the motor for a rebuild but like the squirl said you have no idea what is lost or missing.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

my bad on not catching the white motor part, thats what I get for yapping on the phone while typing...
that does impact the decision.

 

[BIGTEX2010]

Spim

Does that mean ur changing ur original answer and ur a no now?

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2

 

[Spimothy Leary]

not really, but it means its not a resounding yes...
and the rodent brought up some good points,,, since we can safely assume you will find yourself missing some stuff, like misc parts, etc, its inevitable, and you don't have a bolts bucket do you this might be a project better suited for a full time shade tree mechanic.

 

[Robj]

The rodent is the resident 947 expert. He knows these skis better than many of us. I would take his advice, plus those engine do have some issues.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

The above is correct. The 97.5 actually had the white engine and a few 98s had it as well. The engine had carb and reliability issues. It is similar but not the same as the 98-02 carb 951.

The black starter is not OEM and is junk. OEM is the only starter I trust. Things last forever.

You'd have to be 100% sure all the gauges, sensors, VTS, steering, etc all worked.

I have more than enough spare parts to throw this back together, but I'm not interested.

Seats, hoods, carbs, pipes, jet pumps, etc.

I just have a hunch that your opening a can of worms here. I hate to see people waste money.

Even if this was next door to me, not a penny over $150.

 

[BIGTEX2010]

Thanks for all the info guys ... you've steered me away from what seems to be a disaster waiting to happen ...

I guess my search will continue ...

Thanks again

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2

 

[Robj]

Keep looking I am sure you will find a better ski. I have a GSX with a 787, I decided to go that way and give up a bit of power for the reliability of the 787. Just something to consider.