what do i look for??

[spx94]

Im going to look at two 1994 spx tomorrow. Seller says runs good. What should i look for or listen for if he will crank them up. Ive never owned a pwc,so i have no clue.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Listen for bearing noises and heavy vibration. The pump makes noise at idle and that is normal. compression check. Deep gouges in the bottom of the hull that you can see fiberglass shards is not good. Also look into the pump with a flash light (not to be confused with a fleshlight...LOL) and make sure the veins in the pump and the prop have not been damaged by rocks....gotta have a flashlight to really get a good look.

 

[Rampage]

this is a good thread on buying a used ski

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=134

 

[jhjesse]

I own two 94 SPX's. That is what I started out with several years ago. I still own them and have no intention of ever getting rid of them. They will never be super speedy on the water, but they are a blast for everything else.

The 657 motor is really a good motor and very durable.
The pumps are close to bullet proof.
The skis are 16 years old so be prepared to spend some time and money on them.
I would make sure that the skis are complete and depending on the price, everything else can be fixed or replaced.

 

[spx94]

Thx for the info. I passed on them. One was good other was poop. They smoked ALOT! Is that normal? I found two 97 spx today. Says have been used abt 3 times, in climate controled storage for last 3 years. Says one has oil sepage in to one cylinder. Does it Just need an oil seal or is that very bad?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

The oil leakage could mean that the engine needs to come apart. It would be hard to tell before you bought it though. A lot of times once you get the oil out its fine as long as you use it frequently....so its only an issue in the spring.

If you can get it cheap enough the 97 SPX would SMOKE those 94s. Its one of the best machines seadoo ever made.

 

[spx94]

The ad says probably a bad seal causing the oil sepage from setting last 3 yrs. Could it be that simple? Also in the reply to my original post it said watch out for fiberglass showing, i looked at a white ski and on the bottom there was a gouge and i could see brown, is that bad? Could i re fiberglass that?

Thx again

 

[Minnetonka4me]

I would buy it assuming the motor has to come completely apart, and hope that its just from sitting forever. I've seen plenty that leak enough to smoke out the block after sitting a week, but they still started and ran w/o draining the oil out. its really about how bad you are polluting more than anything. If the motor cant turn over after sitting a few day it HAS to be fixed. the parts only cost 25-50 bux, but it costs 800 to replace them after everything, and thats if other issues are found and assuming there isnt other maintainence that needs to be addressed.

I have a theory behind it other than just blaming the seal; Pressure build up in the oil tank. There is a check valve that doesnt open till there is 1.5-2 psi, and I think that temperature changes may build up pressure and make those seals give way due to pressure. I think that may explain how oil gets thru the rubber bungs on the oil tank and you randomly find oil in the bilge....the bung seeped instead of the seal. That sounded really gross...LOL

My GF's bungs leaked over the winter last year so this year I left the oil cap cracked open. We'll see this spring if it worked.

Fiberglass gouges arent too big of a deal; its mostly about getting them sealed up so the fiberglass doesnt rot. If you can make it flex pushing your thumb into it, it might already be pretty rotten.

 

[spx94]

Do i have to take the motor apart to get the oil out that has seeped? If your theory is right when i get the oil out should everything be ok? If i get the oil out and i ride it and it continous to seep will it mess up the motor?

Thx

 

[seadooya]

virgin forum

My GF's bungs leaked over the winter last year so this year I left the oil cap cracked open. We'll see this spring if it worked.

Hey bud, theres just something about that sentence......if i knew it was going to be this kind of party, i would've stuck my #$@%, in the mash potatoes...:biggrinjester:

 

[Minnetonka4me]

LOLOL yep!!!:cheers:

You put a rag over the spark plug holes and turn it over...first w/o then with the throttle wide open. It will pump it out. Tipping it on its side and cranking works good too.

I use Starting fluid to get it going...there is so much oil still you are not gonna do any damage. Typically you want to use mixed gas to start a 2 stroke b/c starting fluid will wash away your oil film.

 

[spx94]

T

LOLOL yep!!!:cheers:

You put a rag over the spark plug holes and turn it over...first w/o then with the throttle wide open. It will pump it out. Tipping it on its side and cranking works good too.

I use Starting fluid to get it going...there is so much oil still you are not gonna do any damage. Typically you want to use mixed gas to start a 2 stroke b/c starting fluid will wash away your oil film.

The spx's got sold b4 i got to them. I did buy some others. 96 xp & gti. The gti has a gouge in the hull. Can u fill it with something and then fiberglass it? If yes what do i fill it with?

Thx again

 

[RebuiltSeadooBaffles]

Your going to love that 96 XP!

Would also like to know on the whole fiberglass thing, the bottom of my XP has some fiberglass showing in a couple spots but its not rotted,,,,,,yet