500$ for a 1997 Polaris Sea-doo 750, all it needs is a starter, good deal or not?

[daren1093251]

Hi, this is my first time i'm going to buy a sea-doo, so I want something cheap to get me started. I found this 1997 Polaris Sea-doo 750cc (That's all the owner says!) that claims all that is needed is a starter, and only for 500$ ! (Canadian)

Is this a good deal? How much is a starter? I've tried to look around but couldn't really find what I was looking for.

If not a good deal, how much should he/she should be asking for it, so I can maybe make the price go down. Thanks!

 

[LouDoo]

O.K., first a Polaris is not a SeaDoo. And probably the biggest lie is all it needs is a starter, it means you can't start it or even run a compression check. I would be very leary.

If all it needs is a starter it's a good deal. Polaris is no longer manufactured so support from this forum would be some what limited, however we have a couple of guys, two of the best on this forum that could help you.

Lou

 

[daren1093251]

Thanks Lou! And my bad, is it a Jet ski then? If so, I meant Jet ski! I called the man selling the vehicle, and he said he'd agree to lower the price by a lot because I can not run a compression test nor start it, so at about 300$ he'd let it go, with a small trailer. I will go check out the vehicle later on today, what are signs (Without starting it) of a bad Jet ski? (Or whatever it's called ) If it's the same as triple cylinder Polaris Snowmobiles go, (for the engine) I should be good to go because i've been driving those all my life, but as it's a marine type vehicle, I would like to know. Thank you very much for the quick response, I highly appreciate your effort ! Excuse my bad english, I am french! :/

 

[Dr Honda]

Well.... "Jet-Ski" is Kawisaki... but we will forgive you. PWC (personal Water Craft) is the generic.


Anyway... what Lou said is right. People lie all the time, and say it's a starter. It could be... but, then again... it could be as bad as a rotted mess inside the engine... or as simple as a seized pump bearing keeping it from turning over. Basically... you just have to go look it over, and see what condition it's in, and make the call from there.

As Lou said... Polaris stopped making PWC in 2004/2005. But, parts were factory available up until last summer. So... almost any part you want is still available right now.

With that said... I like Polaris... but some of the early skis had issues. Also... the old Blue engines (Fuji Heavy Industry) had fueling problems. But... all the issues can be fixed, and the ski can be enjoyed.

Finally... there were a few kick a$$ skis from polaris. So... once you find out the year, and actual model... we will be better able to help with the advice. There were at least 4 skis that would be worth reviving.

 

[daren1093251]

Thanks you guys, you're amazing! The vehicle itself is a 1997 Polaris SL 750, does this make sense? I've googled it and seemed to make sense, but just wanted to double check with people that actually have experience with these. When I go check it out, i'll try to manually turn the clutch by hand, or crank shaft, remove the plugs and see if the spark plugs have, (I can't think of the actual english term, but the black 'gunk' on them) check how it turns, like I previously stated I know how basic triple engines work, and look for rust. It's never been ran in salt water (As here in Canada we don't have any, at least not anywhere near) Here's a list I've made to check when I get there, does it makes sense?

- Check Plugs
- Check hull
- Check Crank shaft
- Check visible bearings
- Check Clutch
- Check Steering and steering collum
- Check Wiring
- Check Oil pump (If not a mixed engine)
- Check inside Gas tank to see if anything is in it
- Check for dents or cracks
- Ask for ownerships
- Check the "Prop"


Anything else I could add quickly to this list? Thanks again guys!

 

[IDoSeaDoo]

I'm not sure if polaris had this, but on the seadoos, you can verify that the ignition computer is still good by pressing the starter button so many times. But Seadoo got fancy with their systems and started putting computer programmed keys on their skis. I don't know if Polaris started doing that in the 90's or not. Regardless, $300 is not bad for a ski and trailer. If the hull is in good cosmetic shape and you like how it looks, it's probably worth fixing. These engines aren't too complicated, with a repair manual and some advice from the forums, you should be able to get it up and running regardless the issue. Expect to throw a few hundred bux into it though, afterall, it is technically a boat.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I owned a 97, 98, and a 99 Polaris.
Thoroughly enjoyed them all. One of which is the ski you mention. Mine did NOT have programmable keys. Just the slip-under type where if you fall off the ignition dies. So you will not be able to check the computer by simply putting the key onto the ski.

It is ALWAYS a risk in buying a ski that you cannot start and or do a compression test. That said,,, if it is cheap enough, the risk can be worth it.

I hope he is honest and you only need a starter. If so, you will have done great and will have a good summer...

 

[Dr Honda]

I'm not sure if polaris had this, but on the seadoos, you can verify that the ignition computer is still good by pressing the starter button so many times.

Nope... Seadoo was the only company to do that on the early ski's.