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The search is on!

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I posted a wanted to buy on CL. I already got a text from a guy in Indiana. That's way too far!

I received some pictures from a pair of skis that caught my eye over the weekend. (shown above) Two skis and a trailer. (I know I said I am looking now for singles, but this still has my attention). The pictures show a pretty clean 97 GSX Limited. The ID in the picture show it to be a 5624 model. It has a 951 motor and runs. The motor picture looks pretty clean. Then there is a 98 GTX limited, also with a 951. It has an ignition problem that has been diagnosed back to the MPEM. Both have the "silver" motors.

Both have 951 motors. I have seen some good and bad stuff on them. Most say no problems as long as you feed them properly. Are these too "hot" for family skis?

At $2200 the price is right even with fixing the ignition. And the trailer is pretty nice too. Comments appreciated.
 
Personally I would stay away from 951's especially for your first ski(s). Too short of an engine life, rebuild after about 200 hrs.

Lou
 
97 Gsx 951 would be the grey ghost



Edit*** I didn't read the silver motor part. As Lou said, I would steer clear of the 951 especially with unknown history and for your first ski


Long live the 2 stroke Seadoo!
 
Post the pictures so I can check it out. The price is right if all it needs is an mpem and both motors are healthy but yeah 951 is harder to work on and more prone to problems compared to the 787.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
 
how much clearance should the rave/base have? mine has a little sideways movement or should there be hardly no movement at all?

Even brand new OEM parts will have some clearance with sideways movement. I installed two pair of brand new genuine Sea Doo OEM parts onto one of my XPs this past summer and there was some clearance but not near as much as the old worn out parts.
 
You can always tell the year of a Seadoo by the last two digits of the HIN.

Be careful with 951 MPEMs they can be hard to find and expensive if you end up with a one year wonder. The 98 GTX Limited has the voltage regulator built into the MPEM and is different than a 99 MPEM.

I had a 98 GTX Limited that I bought as a project, did a full engine rebuild, carbs etc, owned it 5 years and put over 200 trouble free hours on it before it ate a piston skirt and bent a rod. It has been my favourite Seadoo to date, comfortable, would tow anything, nice power to weight ratio and never gave me a minutes trouble until it ate the piston. The only problem with towing tubes etc is it would go through fuel like you drilled a hole in the bottom of the tank.

The one thing not mentioned is the two stroke DI and RFI models personally I would stay away from any of these unless you want to invest in a Candoo system for trouble shooting problems. The DI and RFI models are fantastic on fuel and run great but when they start having problems the parts get expensive and you need the Candoo system or a trip to the dealer to properly diagnose.

Good luck with your search all of my previous and current Seadoos except the 05 GTX have been bought cheap as projects.
 
I just found a 96 gsx listed with trailer for $600. I get confused on what the best use for the different models are. Is this correct:
the gtx is a performance 3 seater with the 787 motor
the gti is a 3 seat cruiser with the 717
the gsx is a 2 seat sport cruiser
the xp is a 2 seater that is more sporty than the gsx
 
IMG_1689.jpgIMG_1690.jpgIMG_1691.jpgSuccess!!! I just brought home my first ski!!! It is a 96 GSX. I got it with a trailer, and clean title for $500. It needed a battery so I got one from Advance Auto and dropped it in. I pulled the plugs in case there was water in the cylinders and connected the key. Two beeps and it cranked over. So I did a comp test and both cylinders are a 165 PSI on my gauge. So It looks like things are going well so far. It does have gray lines in it so I will not try to start until all is drained, replaced and /or cleaned. I know it was not run at all last season. And the reg tag on the side of the ski is from 2006. SO it may have been sitting a long time. But not sure. The hull looks clean except for one ding in the gel coat. It is missing the small cowl fairing over the gauges. And the lcd gauge is not readable. Somewhere along the line someone decided that purple was bad and sprayed most of the top blue. And a poor seat cover job. Oh, when I was testing the compression, I hit the VTS switch and I hear a relay click, but nothing else.

But all in all, I am happy. I will open a new thread for the restoration in preparation for the summer. Now the search is back on for the GTX ski. Thanks for all your help!!!!!!!
 
Congratulations, I think you made a great choice. See below.

Lou
 

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Great job sounds like you got a steal!

I have a good LCD gauge in stock as well as the deflector.

Someone obviously was in a hurry with that seat...pull some staples out and restretch. With some time it will come straight.

On the VTS, open the rear ebox and check the 7.5 amp fuse. Also pull the cover off the VTS unit and put power directly to the motor...carefully. Do not touch power to the wires heading in the box.

If the 7.5 amp fuse is blown, most likely the VTS housing is bad. you can put a 5amp fuse in and it will likely pop right away.

If the Motor wont turn you'll need both parts.
 
Lou did you mount that hook on the front side of the ski? I like that idea


Long live the 2 stroke Seadoo!
 
Yep, it's just a rear hook mounted on the front, they're cheap on Ebay, I imagine Nick has a sh** load of them also.

Lou
 
Lou, I never got back to say. WOW she is pretty. I hope we come close to it when we are done. Love the seat cover.
Took the cover off the VTS and the motor was totally rusted. I pulled it out and it was frozen solid. So I went exploring and pulled it all apart. I got some oil in the bearings and now it actually works. Not sure how long though. Can you get a replacement boot for the VTS actuator rod? Mine fell apart when I pulled it off.
 
Ive always got the VTS boot kits in stock. I recommend replacing them every 3 years or you will have another bad VTS.

So you got the Motor working...is that with power directly to the motor, or using the VTS housing/buttons?
 
So far it is just with the power to the motor. I will put it in tonight. Then I will find out for sure if it works with the system. It is kind of a cheezy design. I doubt it will work very long. I may drill a small hole in the rear bearing cap to let me directly pump in some oil. How often do you typically do adjust the trim?

Do you have an online store or just do it with PMs
 
To me VTS on an x4 is a must. I'm adjusting all the time, jumping, cruising, water conditions etc


Long live the 2 stroke Seadoo!
 
Not so much on the GSX, I adjust mine for max rpm, the down just a touch until its easy to steer, and pretty much leave it there. On the gauge it's just a little above center.

Lou
 
Not so much on the GSX, I adjust mine for max rpm, the down just a touch until its easy to steer, and pretty much leave it there. On the gauge it's just a little above center.

Lou

exactly what I was going to say..... i'd say for now.... set it a hair above center, and leave it there, just make sure your not leaking thru the boot.

now,, granted, its nice to have the option, but on a larger hull, barring a lot of serious wave jumping, I never understood the need to change trim all the time, even on my xp, I didn't use it that much, but I was/am pretty much a recreational rider, just cruise around, see the sights, occasional short WOT runs, and then chase down the big boats to jump the wake once or thrice... then back to cruising.

what I'd suggest is to get it set right, leak free and for time being, leave it alone and focus on whatever else the ski needs to be functional and reliable, then after you have been out a few times, make the decision to drop more money into a replacement VTS , a trim fix module, or the radioshack relay options. which should cost 80/100/20 approximately. (don't quote me on prices I haven't shopped for VTS in a LONG time)
 
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