few questions from a new guy

[lampen]

first off i want to let everyone know i'm completely new to all of this so hopefully my questions won't be too bad. i've been trying to read and learn as much as i can lately, but i feel sometimes i'm not even sure what to look for.

first off i am familiar with atv's and dirtbikes and that is what i am used to dealing with for the most part, so pwc's are new, but not a complete stretch. i just bought my seadoo tuesday, and have just started to mess with it. the boat is a 1996 xp. from what i am told it has a new long-block in it with under 20 hours. also the oil injector has been removed so now it runs pre-mix. the guy i purchased it from said i would still need to add oil, and this is what throws me off, because i'm not sure exactly what he is referring too. also i am curious what are some pro-active things i could do/check before i take it out for the first time?

overall the boat seems in good condition for the age. i just need to replace the grips and seatcover, and cosmetically it will look better. any other suggestions or tips you have would be great, and well appreciated.

thanks in advance.

 

[jwick86]

He means the oil tank still needs to be filled up to supply oil to the rotary valve. Its like reeds on your dirtbikes.
Things to check, make sure your hull plugs are good (have oring not cracked), fresh spark plugs, oil in the tank, fresh gas. I'd start it on the hose first to make sure it runs and idles fine (should be around 3k out of the water). Grease the PTO fitting under the gray cover in the back. If you want to get into it, check the oil level in the pump, just pull the little plug and make sure the oil is to the bottom of the hole. Also, check to make sure the intake grate if free of debris.

Most importantly, have a ton of fun!

 

[6KJR]

Does it still have the oil tank or just a line going from one side of the engine to the other like mine does that is filled with oil? Some people take the tank right out and toss it for more space and weight reduction.

You will need to mix your gas and oil together if the pump has been removed, not sure if you are clear on that part or not... ?

If its a 787 in that machine, which I think it is, look at snipes thread about them you will learn a lot.

 

[lampen]

thanks. i think that answers the majority of my questions. i was looking at snipes thread and it helped a lot as well. mine still has the tank in there for the oil, because the guy left everything in there just blocked it off. should i maybe consider removing the tank and everything? the more research i do the more things are starting to come together as far as what does what.

only other question i can think of is how do i hook it up to a hose to run it a bit? i have a pond that is clean i'm going to try it out at, but i'd like to run it a minute before i take it there.

oh and yes, i do know i need to mix the gas.

thanks guys!

 

[6KJR]

There are kits available to flush out the engines which I THINK allows you to run them a little but.. It isnt reccomended to run it for very long at ALL out of out the water tho.. Something to do with the pump bearings overheating?

 

[jwick86]

Just to clarify, you CAN NOT remove the tank or your motor will seize. You must run it, and have the oil lube the rotary valve. Injection pump or not, the rotary valve needs oil.

 

[lampen]

alright i have no problem leaving it. i'd rather not get into removing things anyway. i do however feel safer mixing my own gas, because i have had dirtbikes in the the past seize up because of a bum injector.

i think the only thing i really need to do right now before i take it up is go pick up some oil. from what i have read sounds like i need to get synthetic? and this is also what i'm going to mix into the gas and put in the tank for the rotary valve?

 

[6KJR]

OK.. So, in your oil tank on your machine. Whatever oil is in there, should be fine, the only thing hooked up to that should be the rotary valve. SOME people like me take the oil tank OUT and just run a line from one side to the other of the engine for the rotary valve to make space and save weight.

As for you, you will need synthetic oil in your machine. I run amsoil in mine. Others run different things, personal opinion...

IF you dont know what oil is IN your oil tank, dont mix oils that are in there and DO NOT ADD fuel/oil mix to the oil tank.. Just mix your oil/fuel at 50:1.

Hopefully this clarifies things.

 

[lampen]

yes that helps out.

i was reading and heard that i needed to mix 40:1. do i not need to do that much? i don't want to seize the motor up.

 

[6KJR]

You can run 40:1, it is a little rich. My 787 was running on 40:1 when I got it, and I went to a 45:1.. If you went by the "book" it would be 50:1.

 

[lampen]

ok well i'll probably stick with 45:1. does anyone know what the capacity of the fuel tank is on the XP? also what about the fuel economy, because as of now the fuel gauge does not work. i'm just trying to figure how long i can be out, and also the best way to mix the fuel. thanks.

 

[JJinSC]

1996 xp specs. say...
Fuel capacity
9 US gal./34L
Reserve
1.3 US gal./5L

 

[05GTXSC]

Not to hijack thread here but does my 96 GTS have a hose hook up I can't find one by the jet but is there one at all??

 

[lampen]

alright so basically i can ride till i run out, then throw it on reserve to get back. alright. i think i'm getting there with my questions. now maybe for an opinion.

the stock yellow seadoo handlebar cover on mine had been repainted with crappy non-flexible black paint. i tried removing the paint and respraying with a flexible paint, and it still peeled where there was a large amount of the other paint under the new. any ideas? i'm thinking about just re-stripping it all i just don't know how because it is sort of a rubber/plastic compound.

 

[MooF]

Not to hijack thread here but does my 96 GTS have a hose hook up I can't find one by the jet but is there one at all??

Love it when I see "not to hijack, but im going to anyway.." that said, I can't answer your question. :reddevil:

 

[captainjack987]

Does it still have the oil tank or just a line going from one side of the engine to the other like mine does that is filled with oil? Some people take the tank right out and toss it for more space and weight reduction.

You will need to mix your gas and oil together if the pump has been removed, not sure if you are clear on that part or not... ?

If its a 787 in that machine, which I think it is, look at snipes thread about them you will learn a lot.

I have a 96 spx with the 718 im pretty shure the xp does to I looked at one the other day and they looked to have the same engine.

 

[lampen]

ok so i have had the XP out 4 times to the lake so far and haven't had any problems with it. the thing runs pretty fast and i don't have any problems keeping up with people. i was thinking that the idle on mine seems to be low. it's almost to the point where i need to give it gas or it tries to die, but sometimes it will sit there and idle. also i was wondering if the motor is suppose to be kind of noisy, as in it rattling? it's hard to describe because i don't think there is anything wrong because it starts and and runs way to good to have something wrong. any insight could be helpful.

 

[jwick86]

The rattling you are hearing is only at idle? If so its most likely the jet pump. In 97 they added a "pusher" to put pressure on the pump shaft and stop the rattling. Nothing is wrong if this is the case. You can upgrade for like $20 if you want.

And for the motor wanting to stall sometimes you said at an idle, could be because the oil is very thick at that point. Stock injection is about 200:1 and about 40:1 at WOT. Your still putting 40:1 at idle, lots of oil. Most likely building some carbon up on the plugs but then once you run it the plugs burn it off. What is your tach reading at? Should be about 1500 RPM in water and 3000 out.

 

[lampen]

yeah the rattling is only at idle, and almost sounds like a knock. but normally when you hear a knock it means something is wrong and it won't run right. i still think i need to turn up the idle, because sometimes it dies.