Did I bite off more than I can chew? Purchased two 97 Gti's

[ILockert]

I picked up two 97 Gti's the ad said just need the carbs rebuilt, battery and starter or starter solenoid,But after driving 4 hours round trip and my friend telling me I should do it and it wont be that much work I am starting to rethink it. Main reason I broke and went against my gut is every since I sold my skis 6 years ago my kids have been asking for me to find some more since they are now old enough to operate them on their own and I dont think they like the boat as much.

One of them has no carburetor ( they rebuilt it then lost it ) spark plugs were pulled and temperature sensor was broken and wiring looks a mess.
the other looked pretty much together, but the case the starter solenoid is in was pulled apart. It also looks like it has a different head on it than the other ski this one is grey or silver the other is white.

When we got home we attempted to start the one that was together. when putting the key in oil light comes on and gauge moves, but no beep. Ski tries to turn over but dont fire, pulled the plugs and was getting no spark. I am guessing the key post ( not sure what it is called ) may have a short.

So before I just into this adventure of PWC disasters I figured I would ask those who have done this before
Is it worth the work or do I try to sell to try and get my money back ( providing I can get my money back ) and save up to buy something else?

 

[etemplet]

They look pretty good !! It will be an adventure. Everything you need to know is on this forum. You'll just need to check everything. Carburetor is no big deal, I often buy a new one rather than try cleaning up and rebuilding old junk. In the end if you decided to go through with it, you'll know what you have.

Compression, jet pump wear rings, PM the jet pumps.

I bought two like these with a trailer and both engines are bad and they don't look as good as yours. $500. I think I'll be busier than you. LOL Good luck

 

[ILockert]

Compression, jet pump wear rings, PM the jet pumps.

I bought two like these with a trailer and both engines are bad and they don't look as good as yours. $500. I think I'll be busier than you. LOL Good luck

So can you do a compression test on the motor by hand cranking? I don't think so but a friend of mine swears you can and I have been looking all over for a way to do this.

The ski with no carb I am planning to pull the motor out so itll be easier for me to run the wiring and check everything.

I wish I would of paid $500, But around here they everyone seems to be super proud of anything watercraft.

 

[Mraw]

They look great. Unfortunately when the add says "just needs starter" it almost always means the motors are locked. I would be prepared to do a full rebuild on both motors.

If you can get them to crank check comp, should be around 150 no more than 10 % difference between cylinders.

Rebuild carbs with ONLY genuine mikuni rebuild kits including new needles and seats

Replace all grey fuel lines

Replace or bypass fuel selector

Inspect fuel filter o ring.

 

[Mraw]

So can you do a compression test on the motor by hand cranking? I don't think so but a friend of mine swears you can and I have been looking all over for a way to do this.

The ski with no carb I am planning to pull the motor out so itll be easier for me to run the wiring and check everything.

I wish I would of paid $500, But around here they everyone seems to be super proud of anything watercraft.

No, you must turn the motor over with the starter

 

[ILockert]

They look great. Unfortunately when the add says "just needs starter" it almost always means the motors are locked. I would be prepared to do a full rebuild on both motors.

If you can get them to crank check comp, should be around 150 no more than 10 % difference between cylinders.

Rebuild carbs with ONLY genuine mikuni rebuild kits including new needles and seats

Replace all grey fuel lines

Replace or bypass fuel selector

Inspect fuel filter o ring.

with my luck, itll be needed on both. I guess tonight when I get off work Ill start with compression testing the one that will turn over and see how it is then move to the next one.

 

[ILockert]

Would yall recommend going premix or keeping the oil injection system?

 

[mikidymac]

Keep the oil injection but don't even worry about that yet.

If it cranks over then the lanyard is fine and just the beeper is bad.

1st thing to do is check compression on both of them. Fresh battery, never jump start them, ground the plug wires on the tabs on the engine, hold the throttle wide open (carb removed is fine) and crank over until the compression gauge stops climbing. If you can't get the starter to spin with the button jump the starter solenoid tow big capper posts with a screwdriver. Do not use a Harbor Freight compression gauge or a push in one.

We can go forward once you get compression numbers.

Do not start pulling engines yet.

 

[ILockert]

Keep the oil injection but don't even worry about that yet.

If it cranks over then the lanyard is fine and just the beeper is bad.

1st thing to do is check compression on both of them. Fresh battery, never jump start them, ground the plug wires on the tabs on the engine, hold the throttle wide open (carb removed is fine) and crank over until the compression gauge stops climbing. If you can't get the starter to spin with the button jump the starter solenoid tow big capper posts with a screwdriver. Do not use a Harbor Freight compression gauge or a push in one.

We can go forward once you get compression numbers.

Do not start pulling engines yet.

The ski with a carb is 60psi 120 psi
The ski without a carb is 140 and 140

 

[Rabid]

The ski with a carb is 60psi 120 psi
The ski without a carb is 140 and 140

Could that one just have a stuck ring? Try soaking some 2 stroke oil in spark hole.

 

[mikidymac]

The one with a carb is toasted and needs a rebuild.

The one with 140 psi is good on that regard and safe to move forward with.

 

[mikidymac]

Could that one just have a stuck ring? Try soaking some 2 stroke oil in spark hole.

No, those numbers aren’t just from sitting.

 

[etemplet]

I'd pull the head on the ski with 140psi and probably do a top end but that's me. I like looking at everything I can short of pulling the crank. You'll know what you have and top ends are cheap to do. Good Luck !!

 

[fatblockabody]

They look great. Unfortunately when the add says "just needs starter" it almost always means the motors are locked. I would be prepared to do a full rebuild on both motors.

If you can get them to crank check comp, should be around 150 no more than 10 % difference between cylinders.

Rebuild carbs with ONLY genuine mikuni rebuild kits including new needles and seats

Replace all grey fuel lines

Replace or bypass fuel selector

Inspect fuel filter o ring.

Or they are filled with oil leaking past the rotary seal and hydrolocked. I'm a glass half full kind of guy

 

[ILockert]

Or they are filled with oil leaking past the rotary seal and hydrolocked. I'm a glass half full kind of guy

I was glass half full when I bought them going against what my gut says.... but now it’s going to be a much larger job than I’ll have time for this month. This whole working on an ambulance crap has sucked for the last year.

 

[ILockert]

The one with a carb is toasted and needs a rebuild.

The one with 140 psi is good on that regard and safe to move forward with.

I figured that.... and the one that’s toast is the one that looks the best.

 

[ILockert]

I'd pull the head on the ski with 140psi and probably do a top end but that's me. I like looking at everything I can short of pulling the crank. You'll know what you have and top ends are cheap to do. Good Luck !!

If I end up keeping them I’ll probably end up doing that or finding a way to put more than an 85hp motor in the ski.... I want something fast for me, but the kids don’t need anything crazy since they have zero fear.

 

[mikidymac]

If I end up keeping them I’ll probably end up doing that or finding a way to put more than an 85hp motor in the ski.... I want something fast for me, but the kids don’t need anything crazy since they have zero fear.

Not worth the trouble to try an put a bigger engine it it, just buy one already running with a bigger engine.

 

[WhiskeyD]

Not worth the trouble to try an put a bigger engine it it, just buy one already running with a bigger engine.

And the 717 motor is very reliable. If you want speed I'd get a boosted 4 stroke

 

[ILockert]

Thanks for the help after finding out one needs a complete rebuild and the other is a wiring nightmare, we have decided to just find newer ones that are water ready. My wife and kids both agreed after 60hours a week on the booboobus I don’t have the time to try and rebuild the skis.