1996 GTI 3-seater ?

[Randypape]

Hello,
I bought this unit 2 weeks ago and will be riding it this weekend on the lake. It's in great shape and runs real strong and doesn't look to bad for the age.
My question is the former owner says I'm not supposed to run it wide open for a long stretch ,that it's better to vary the speeds. why is this? My Wife and I had it up over 50mph ,per speedo, and it does run good. He ran nothing but full seadoo synthetic xp oil in it and said it's the best and he had no problems. So I'm thinking I should stick to this at $48/gal? . I didn't do a compression test on it before I bought it. I felt the 3 hours with the owner and test riding it on the river proved to me it was a strong runner, and it was well maintained. Any comments or input is welcomed. thanks Randy

 

[LouDoo]

Sounds like a good strong ski, running full synthetic is a bit of overkill, you can use mineral or a synthetic blend. If the ski still has grey tempo fuel lines they will need to be changed, and the fuel delivery system cleaned, you may also need to service the oil injection system. Happy riding.

Lou

 

[Randypape]

hello Lou,
The previous owner's friend owned a shop and maintained this for him. The fuel lines were changed, carbs rebuilt, new jet pump, and I believe the oil pump was taken care of also. You can tell by looking under the hood it was well taken care of. Like I said it runs real strong, I am now curious on what the compression reads. He told me around 144. He was a straight shooter and the way it runs I would believe him. thanks for your replies.

 

[Mickirig1]

The way I see it running the best oil in an old machine is cheap insurance. Make sure you winterize it at the end of the season. Down load the service manual from the internet.

 

[Randypape]

thanks for the reply

 

[Spimothy Leary]

as far a long WOT runs, I tend to agree, pushing a 2 stroke to its limit for more than 30 seconds can't be good for the longevity of the ski, I used to do it ALL the time, and i've burned up a couple of top ends, after getting torched a 2nd time I decided to taper off the long distance throttle pegging and only do it for 30 or so seconds, then back to a more comfortable cruising speed, although i'll admit, I tend to run 75-80% of full throttle for long stretches anyway, but I avoid WOT if possible.

i'm not sure there is a definitive answer re: engine failure related to this activity, but In general its GOOD advice if you want to use your ski for many years.

 

[Randypape]

Thanks it makes sense.

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[kevinz]

i have this same ski, take care of it and it will be a good machine for you. you mentioned the oil pump was taken care of, make sure they replaced the tiny oil feed lines that go from the pump to the rotary valve cover. also make sure the oil filter was changed.

if you saw speeds of 50 mph on the speedo, then i need to look at mine this winter, i can get around 47 with just me on it. but my pump and wear ring need some loving so that might be it. also my throttle cable seems to have a little slack so that might be preventing the throttle from opening 100%.

 

[Randypape]

Thanks and I think I'll keep running the synthetic oil he was running in it even though its expensive I don't want to have any issues with an older motor

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[Coastiejoe]

Lou is absolutely correct about the oil. That said,,, I had two Polaris 2-strokes and ran NOTHING but Polaris Synthetic Gold oil. The just ran so well that I didn't want to jinx things by changing to a different oil.

I just "feel" 2-strokes need a quality product (OEM or otherwise) due to how they are lubricated.
Congrats on the purchase,,,,

 

[howie099]

You have 717 a pretty tough engine was in the seadoo line up for like years. If the oil system was just serviced I would just keep on using the oil unless it is to hard for your to purchase than than I would switch it. You go to like Amsoil for like $27 a gallon buying online with shipping/taxes. I use both Amsoil and Mystik oils. I can get Mystik semi for like under $20 a gallon from Farm and Fleet by me so that is what I use in seadoo boat.

 

[Mickirig1]

Try Motor cycle shops. One near me carries Amsoil Interceptor oil in quarts. $10 a quart.