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what 2-stroke sea doo model is known to have the least problems?
- Thread starter thagannn
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Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
That's not a valid question. As Lou said... the 720 was a very reliable engine... but even the bigger engines are good if maintained, and the proper oil is used. The 720 and smaller engines can almost get away with using the wrong oil... but an 800 will eat itself. Most people don't understand 2-stroke oils... and the 800 needs a full syntetic, API-TC oil. Most of the time, I see people putting crap TC-w3 oil in them... and they want to know why the engine is low on power (or died) or they want to know why the RAVE's are sticking.
Since your question is targeting a 15 year'ish ski... it all depends on how it was treated. There isn't a ski that is great, and a ski that is awful. I bought an ugly 90 Si that needed a bunch of love to make it look good... but mechanically, it was perfect. My newest project is a 96 XP. It looks beautiful since it's been parked in a garage most of it's life... but since it's been sitting... everything needed worked on.
A 15 year old ski that has been sitting, or has VERY low hours is almost worse than one that gets used all the time.
OK... with that said... if you do your own work... stick to a ski with carbs. The Di, and RFI skis are good... but when they have fuel injection issues, it's hard to diagnose without expensive equipment... and the parts are expensive.
Since your question is targeting a 15 year'ish ski... it all depends on how it was treated. There isn't a ski that is great, and a ski that is awful. I bought an ugly 90 Si that needed a bunch of love to make it look good... but mechanically, it was perfect. My newest project is a 96 XP. It looks beautiful since it's been parked in a garage most of it's life... but since it's been sitting... everything needed worked on.
A 15 year old ski that has been sitting, or has VERY low hours is almost worse than one that gets used all the time.
OK... with that said... if you do your own work... stick to a ski with carbs. The Di, and RFI skis are good... but when they have fuel injection issues, it's hard to diagnose without expensive equipment... and the parts are expensive.
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BMANN06
Well-Known Member
Hi Doc, I've been only using BRP Mineral Oil (the non synthetic one) since I replaced my 787s a year or so ago. Should I be switching to the synthetic? I have probably 100 hrs on these motors now.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
BMANN06
Well-Known Member
:banghead: I'll get the gauge out and make the oil switch ... these two oils okay to mix. (I've burned at least 10 jugs of the mineral oil since these engines have been installed)
colochoclab
New Member
This is good to hear!
When I bought my '98 GTS this spring, it was an "ugly duckling" but mechanically sound. Some love and a few bucks, the ugly duckling is a screaming eagle! Knock on wood, she looks and rides like a champ and will go faster that I am willing to go! Love that little 718 engine! Friends can't believe she is a 14 year old ski.
-Lab
When I bought my '98 GTS this spring, it was an "ugly duckling" but mechanically sound. Some love and a few bucks, the ugly duckling is a screaming eagle! Knock on wood, she looks and rides like a champ and will go faster that I am willing to go! Love that little 718 engine! Friends can't believe she is a 14 year old ski.
-Lab
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Buy a gallon of the XPS synth blend (black bottle) and then pour in the syth oil. The blend is compatible with either... and allows you to make change without draining. (This is with XPS only)
The only saving grace is that the XPS mineral oil is VERY good. So, I don't think that you have done any real damage. The real down fall is that it will make a little more carbon, and gum up the RAVE's.
JonRusso89
New Member
In your experience, what have you found as far as using the XPS Mineral Oil in the 951s? Do they also prefer full synthetic?
jhjesse
Well-Known Member
.
I own two 657 engines. (Under powered 717 engines
) Mine are 1994 models and have never been torn down. I take them to the lake every other weekend and ride the crap out of them, but afterwards I perform maintenance on them. They still run like they are new. My opinion is the 587,657, 657x, and the 717 engine design is the most dependable...as long as regular maintenance is performed.
No engine is dependable if not taken care of.
I also have a 951 engine with 15 hrs on it since it was rebuilt. The previous owner didn't take care of it, therefore I was able to purchase the ski for pennies on the dollar. I have a friend that has a couple of 951 engines that have over 350hrs on them. He rides the heck out of them just about every weekend, but He performs regular maintenance on His skis that includes fogging the engines after every use.
If you are going to stay with older two stroke models, then I would agree with Doc and stay with carb models.
fordarmyof1
New Member
I'm sorry, what is fogging the machine? thanks
crisso
New Member
I got a 98 GTX LTD.Through my own fault.Cooked it.Rebuilt through the the help of guys of this site.It's a 951,carby, oil injection pump still working.The correct oil in the tank,the proper maint. after you ride it,and it is one hellava ride.It goes like a cat shot in the clacker,is reliable and I remember what a friend of my dad said to me.Good oil is cheaper than metal.Look after any engine and it will work.People service things they buy.Dealerships rely on the service on new cars/bikes/skis
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Sorry it got off subject a little... but it's good info.
With the synth XPS oil... you should only have to clean them once a year.
With the 951... the engine life will be shorter, and the RAVE's will gum up quicker.
Fogging is getting oil into the engine for storage. Basically, you start the engine, and spray in "Fogging" oil... and when it hits the hot engine parts... it vaporizes, and as the engine cools, it evenly coats the inside. (Keeps rust from forming) If you ride in salt water... it's good to fog all the time. Polaris use to install a system that looked like a primmer for use in salt water. SO... every time you pulled the ski out... you gave it a few pumps. (I'm surprised that no one else has done that)
With the synth XPS oil... you should only have to clean them once a year.
With the 951... the engine life will be shorter, and the RAVE's will gum up quicker.
Fogging is getting oil into the engine for storage. Basically, you start the engine, and spray in "Fogging" oil... and when it hits the hot engine parts... it vaporizes, and as the engine cools, it evenly coats the inside. (Keeps rust from forming) If you ride in salt water... it's good to fog all the time. Polaris use to install a system that looked like a primmer for use in salt water. SO... every time you pulled the ski out... you gave it a few pumps. (I'm surprised that no one else has done that)
fordarmyof1
New Member
ok next question...what type engine oil should i use? not injection oil. AND how do i clean the rave valves and how often should i do it? we ride in lake water.
thanks and ride safe...................ed
thanks and ride safe...................ed
Hi,
It's a 2 stroke, no engine oil, the engine gets is lubrication from oil injection.
Here's a link, tells you all you need to know about rave valves.
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?37588-How-to-service-Rave-Valve-Pictorial
You should start your own thread we're kinda getting off the subject.
Lou
It's a 2 stroke, no engine oil, the engine gets is lubrication from oil injection.
Here's a link, tells you all you need to know about rave valves.
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?37588-How-to-service-Rave-Valve-Pictorial
You should start your own thread we're kinda getting off the subject.
Lou
jasonham41
New Member
as said preivously a 2stroke ski is around 15-20 years old, anything that has been regularly soaked in salt water for that long is going to have or eventually develop problems i have 4 seadoos with 787 motors in them 3 96xps and 1 97spx and they all are compleatly diffrent i have found the trick is to find one that looks CLEAN!!! inside and has obvioulsy been taken care of also a good idea to quiz the owner on basic stuff like wash out procedures ect. if it seems dodgy then walk away there are plenty more out there.
jhjesse
Well-Known Member
"A cat shot in the clacker"...I don't know what to say...I'm still laughing. :lols::lols::lols:
jhjesse
Well-Known Member
My opinion is two stroke skis are very easy to maintain. In fact, maintenance on 2 stoke skis is much easier that just about any boat out there.
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