Help! I Might trade my quad for seadoo with a couple questions, what to look for?

[Mizzie]

Hello everyone, New member here from RI. I have a 90cc 4wheeler which isnt running currantly and I've arranged a meet with a person on craiglist who is looking for a project ATV, and i'm looking for a jetski so this works.. I do have a few concerns though if anyone can chime in before I go look at it tomorrow i'd be very greatful!

I've traded for things that need work before without asking advice so this time i'd like to know before i go, so I know if this thing is even worth tradeing for!.... First of all, It's a 1995 SeaDoo bombardier SP with nice newer trailer. (trailer needs re-wiring but thats not a problem). From the pictures it looks clean.

Heres what I know about the PWC.. The guy says he bought it off his buddy who lost interest in it after it sat for 2 years (so lets say it sat for 4 years, if hes under exagerating) He said it was running strong before a small hose started to leak ? (sorry i don't know what hose he is reffering too yet)

So he said he unbolted the exhaust and pulled the motor out in order to get to/replace the hose, and lost from what he says from there on he lost interest.. sounds like something more than a hose is wrong, but I do know people who take things apart and dont have the ambition to put them back together so its still worth a look..

I'd just like to know what to immediately check for when i go to look at it, I have experience in boating have owned several boats, and i have my PWC certificate (required here in RI) but i've never owned my own PWC so i'm 100% clueless on these things! I have an ATV battery i can bring with me to test the engine, is it safe to test the engine out of the water/ not installed in the hull? what are some major things i should look for? I don't mind putting a little money into it but i dont want to be rebuilding the engine!

I'm sure it will need a plug and gaskets, but how do i check this? I have a compression guage, would this be of any use and if so what kind of compression should i look for? Also, if worse case and the electrical is not hooked up, but the guy seems genuine is there any way to bench test the engine to see if its rotating properly?

also, sorry for the long post! when i buy an ATV i check for spark by taking the plug out and resting it up against a grounded surface and turning the engine over, is this the same in PWC engines? I've honestly never even looked at a PWC engine, I could rip a 49cc engine apart and rebuild it in an hour but with these pwc engines i'm dumbfounded :ack:

Thanks for reading my novel of a post! I just dont want to get "screwed" over on this deal, but i really am interested in the jetski and my son and daughter are both very excited about it as well!

thanks again,
Mike

 

[Mizzie]

Thanks for your reply! About my quad, it's actually not running it gets spark but it sounds like the starter isn't engadging the engine, it spins too fast like the gear is stripped, not really sure how to fix it the atv forum isn't much help because they preffer yamaha and polaris and what I have is a lil 90cc redcat mpx90. I bought it for the Kids but i planned to ride it also haha. I got it cheap and never been able to get it running it's a shame, if you could help me maybe diagnose the quad PM me I'd be glad to try and get it running and trade for a nicer jetski or maybe even a better quad and just buy a jetski sepetate.

Anyways, back on topic Ive had the quad on craigslist for 400obo but no one wants to offer me anymore than 200-250 with it not running, it's easily worth 600 running so I rather not take a huge hit selling for 2 to these haggelers! Lol

So when this jetski trade came up I figure even if it is shot I could sell trailer alone for 200 and sell as a parts ski for 150-200.. That's if I couldn't fix it first, I've Bern wanting a jetski for years.

So is what I'm saying realistic or should I just take the 250 for the quad? lol the quad is a 2007 and clean, just won't run!! I think it needs a rebuild.

So anything I should look for in this seadoo? Is there any ways to test if the motor is siezed, or hurting ? I just think even with this jetski not running I could make out better with it, but you guys know way more than I do so please feel free to chime in.

I'm going to look at it tomorrow around 5pm est. I'm not the type to jump on a trade so if you guys give me some basic tricks I'll check it out and if it fails I'll walk away and hope to find a decent jetski cheap!

Thanks,
mike

 

[Mizzie]

Wow that was another long post, sorry guys I'm not good with small talk I guess. Sorry for another novel of a post!

-mike

 

[Mizzie]

Basically, I haven't seen it yet but I'm assuming the engine I'd completely disconnected electrically from the hull, so to determain if the pwc engine cranks can I run a jump wire from a atv/pwc battery to the starter lead and ground as I would with a atv or other small engine? Not sure how these things work but I'm definetly down to learn.

I've Been reading the forums and I see alot I don't know yet My son won't stop asking about the pwc so I hope it's not too much of a basket case!

 

[96seadooxpBC]

Get over to the place with a pressure gauge, to test the compression on the cylinders, you SHOULD ideally have 150 psi on each, but anything 130 and above is ok, make sure there is no more than a 10 percent variation between the 2. Open the lid, take a real good look at the engine bay, if its a piece of crap, it will sure show. Check for grey fuel lines, if it has them, then its almost certain the carbs are going to be filthy, not that they wouldnt be for sitting for so long. connect a battery to it without the plugs on, and see if it spins, i sure hope when he says a hose broke, it wasnt the oil lines.. because if it was then the engine is most likely seized and worthless.

anyone seems genuine when they wanna sell something, take a good look at it, and if it seems sketchy, walk away.. you could be setting yourself up for alot of work with these 2 strokes, ESPECIALLY if the electrical system is not installed. this model has the 587 in it, one of the first pwc engines, it should be the white one, not the yellow. If you can defs look for a running working seadoo.

hope this helps, cheers!

Cam
hope this helps a bit

 

[Mizzie]

Thanks for the reply, big help I will definetly apply these methods.
I'm hopeing it turns out okay, Im sick of looking at this non running quad I rather tackle another project, but hopefull not much of a project. I know the pwc was as a freshwater used pwc as the guy lives on a local lake, that's not saying it wasn't a saltwater pwc at dome point though.

I have s compression guage so hopefully the engine turns and I can get a good reading. So it IS safe to run a positive jumper cable directly to the starter lead like I would my quad ? also what is this 'boot' you talk about removing?

And when trying to turn the engine manually, you mention remove the plugs you obviously mean both spark plugs right? Not sure if there's some other plugs haha. I know a bit about gas engines once I actually see it it should make sense to me buy then again it's not an atv engine lol.

Can anyone post a pic or 2 of this style engine and maybe point me in the direction of what's what...sorry to sound like such a newbie, but I am!

 

[Mizzie]

If the wiring is everywhere and hacked up I'm not going to bother with it, I'm good with wiring up new connections but I'll only get involved if it's not too hacked and the engine is in promising shape. Otherwise I'll sell thequad for 250 and take a loss. I don't need a another junk project!

 

[Dr Honda]

If you were closer to PA, I'd buy the quad... but... about the ski.

a 95 SP will be a fun little ski, and since you are putting a non running quad on the trading table... it only seems right that a non running ski is equal.

If it was me, and the trailer wasn't rotten... I would do it in a hart beat. (a full light kit with wires, and a plug is $20 at harbor freight) Over the next few months... the value of a ski will go up as the weather gets nice. The trailer alone is worth around $400. (clean and usable) Also... if you put a battery in it, and crank it over, and get alt least 140psi... then then engine is worth $400 or more. so, with those 2 items... you can make $800 in parts. I just parted out an 95 XP last summer. I kept the trailer, and the engine... and I still made enough on the small parts to break even on the deal.

There is a great market for used SeaDoo parts. Any time I see a mid 90's seadoo for less than $800... I buy it as fast as I can because I can make $2k parting it out. The only hard part to get rid of is the hull, but I've managed to do it a few times.

Go look at it, and make sure it isn't seized, or rotten, and go for it.

 

[Mizzie]

Thanks for your reply.. yes thats exactly what i was thinking, worse case I can easily make more than $250 on this thing (IF i couldnt get it running and was forced to sell) I'm going to look at the trailer real good. I remember I bought a 17' boston whaler a few years ago and was so happy with the boat i totally neglected to look at the trailer... half way home the axle decided to come out from under it on the highway... long story short, My whaler needed $500 in fiberglass work from the impact before I even got to use it..

BTW, nice boat in your avatar, a buddy of mine had one of those back in the day when they first came out.. we took it out on a choppy day once and probably came 5' out of the water from time to time, haha.

So about the ski, I just want to know how to correctly test the motor, it's okay to dry run it for a moment? Just want to do the compression test and listen to hear anything rattling around in there! what major components should i look at, aside from the engine block itself... Im not sure how the impella and cooling systems work, and are these CDI ignition or magneto, or?

I know a bit about small engines, I just need to get into the swing of things on this one with a little jump start of info! haha

 

[Mizzie]

Check for grey fuel lines, if it has them, then its almost certain the carbs are going to be filthy, not that they wouldnt be for sitting for so long.

If it has grey fuel lines I should stray away? Or is it as simple as replacing the fuel lines, and cleaning the carbs?

 

[b15philly]

If it has grey fuel lines I should stray away? Or is it as simple as replacing the fuel lines, and cleaning the carbs?

Don't be worried about the gray fuel line initially, if you buy the ski then you will want to replace them, it's not a hard job, good compression should be your main concern:cheers:

 

[Mizzie]

Thanks! I will definetly test it and hope it comes out good.. Noticed your in connecticut.. How do you like the 5 days of 55-60º weather and now we're back to the normal dismal coldness.. My kids are all sick, So I know i'm next.. :ack: Gotta love new england!

anyways I talked to the guy on the phone today, we're going to cancel untill tomorrow afternoon due to the rain. He said the engine is actually in the hull and all wireing is hooked up, it's just not bolted down to make manuvering the engine easier... I guess.. So it's starting to sound like less of a hack job but we'll see..

anything else i should look for, Ive searched and noticed alot about these RAVE, valvles, I know where they are located but are they a major thing to be checked, or is this something i should worry about later?

and can someone please post a pic of where the starter is and if it's okay to jump directly to the starter lead, I dont want to fry this thing on the guy then id HAVE to take it, haha..

 

[b15philly]

Thanks! I will definetly test it and hope it comes out good.. Noticed your in connecticut.. How do you like the 5 days of 55-60º weather and now we're back to the normal dismal coldness.. My kids are all sick, So I know i'm next.. :ack: Gotta love new england!

Ya, it was a very nice change for a few days but like always just a New England teaser, it looks like its supposed to be nice next week starting Tuesday but well see how that goes:rofl:


anything else i should look for, Ive searched and noticed alot about these RAVE, valves, I know where they are located but are they a major thing to be checked, or is this something i should worry about later?

The R.A.V.E. valves are a important part of the motor but you really do not have to worried about them until later, the biggest issue with them is carbon build up which in turn does not allow them to fully open causing poor performance. What you may want to do is ask the seller what type of oil he has used in the ski and that will give you a good idea of what type of build up may be present on the valves. Sea Doo XPS 2 stroke oil is preferred but there are others that can be used that are less expensive. Do a search on oil and you will see that there are many debates on this issue:cheers:

 

[Mizzie]

Thanks for the info. Where abouts in ct are you? If I end up doing the trade I could bring the pwc to you if you could give it a look over for me, I'd certainly pay you for your time! -mike

 

[b15philly]

Eastern CT Windham

I'm only about 30 min from the RI border. I'm by far no mechanic but I know a few things here and there, once it starts getting complicated I tend to stray away from it but I would be happy to help you out as much as I can in the forum. I'm also always looking for ppl to ride with so if you do end up getting the ski we should meet up, maybe launch around watch hill area into the sound:cheers:

 

[Mizzie]

well heres whats happening so far, I sold my quad today to somebody else for $300 which is fine with me considering it didnt start up.. The guy tested it all out and seemed happy with it so I hope he gets it going! anyways back to the topic of the seadoo.

I spoke to the guy today, and heres what were going to do (if it sounds like a good idea?) Plan to go there tomorrow morning, and give him $100 and a 49cc minibike i had laying around that needs a pullstart (bikes worth 100 at best) he's going to keep the trailer, and give me the seadoo (with engine obviously)

so does this sound like a worthy deal? he said he was going to ask 400 for the jetski w/ trailer so without the trailer hes happy with this deal as he can re-sell the trailer.

My question is, I have a 99 jeep grand cherokee.. it fit my quad perfect, fit my old canoe and kayaks etc, BUT would this 95 sp fit (width wise) in my jeep with the seats folded? i'm not worried about it sticking out of the back of the jeep, I dont have a long ride home and I could secure and strap the hatch/seadoo in place. I have friends with pickups but rather put it in my jeep and safe it from being a project.

I could use the trailer to transport it but number one, i have a 2" hitch, this one is 1 7/8? also, the tires are flat and I dont have a plate to through on it.. kind of sucks huh? haha

should i pick this thing up for a hundred bucks? ill post a pic in a minute

 

[Mizzie]

Hows it look? aside from being a little dirty. haha I havent been able to measure if it would slide in my jeep, so Im hopeing someone has had a similar experience with having to transport it short distances this way.. I have a dolly at home i can use to roll it around.. and It would be going at my buddys freshwater dock all summer so a trailer is something that could wait.

 

[Mizzie]

Aside from it being possibly too wide, which it looks like it should JUST fit, but is there any way to remove the handle bar setup thats not too time consuming, as it will probably be raining tomorrow again..

 

[seadooya]

you can, but it'll take some time. Try and fit it in, a$$ end first, and if you have welder handy and a few pieces of metal, fab something up, using the hitch reciever to support either the front or back of ski.

Mount the engine on a bench, and put leads straight to starter to get a psi reading. If all is good, then with the project at hand, and not familiar with thesae particular machines, i'd become a prem. member for a month, download your yr/mdl and put that ski back together...:cheers:

 

[Mizzie]

you can, but it'll take some time. Try and fit it in, a$$ end first, and if you have welder handy and a few pieces of metal, fab something up, using the hitch reciever to support either the front or back of ski.

Mount the engine on a bench, and put leads straight to starter to get a psi reading. If all is good, then with the project at hand, and not familiar with thesae particular machines, i'd become a prem. member for a month, download your yr/mdl and put that ski back together...:cheers:

Thanks for your reply, I was expecting to get "yelled" at or called an idiot for trying to put this in my jeep HAHA but its good to hear its possible, saves me from paying my buddy gas money for his v8 pickup!

about downloading my yr/mdl what exactly is this? haha i have no clue what your talking bout! but about becoming a premium member, thats a given.. I'm a member on jeepforum and have been a supporting member for 3 years in a row, I love to contribute to forums that help and so far this place seems worthy! I'm not a freeloader, haha.


about the welder, I don't have one currantly, I was thinking of spreading some 2x4s in the back of the jeep and sliding the jetski on those, so the bow would be supported. should me and 2 guys be able to load this thing, not sure how heavy they are!

 

[96seadooxpBC]

Mizzie, no need to worry about the rave valves, as this model doesnt have any. This engine was produced before bombardier decided to make power valves on there engines, which started on the 787. great looking ski, hope it all goes well mate, cheers!
:cheers:

 

[96seadooxpBC]

and yes you and another person could probly lift it alone, these old things only weighed about 430-440 pounds dry.

 

[Mizzie]

Well I went there today, Ended up keeping my quad but I showed the guy some cash and at first he didnt want to so I walked away, half way to my truck He took the deal

I got the seadoo, trailer and vaccucover for $120 and I threw in a 49cc mini bike that needed work... So all in all about $200..... I'm pretty happy.. It was raining so I didnt get a good chance to examine everything in the ski but all wireing was there, motor parts need to be put back on the block is all there but pretty much everything else needs to be put back in as its just sitting in the hull... hull bilge looked relatively clean.

So now comes the fun part, HOW DO I PUT THIS THING BACK TOGETHER HAHA can anyone post a diagramn of one of these engines?

also, theres no key, he had the key and lost it I guess over the past year, how do i rig a key for this, it seems to me there no "key" at all, looks to me like theres a red button and green button under the choke lever,, what do i do? and where the electric start button, is it the one on the left handlebar?

for 200 how did i do? it needs to be put back together but i figured the trailer alone is worth 200...

 

[96seadooxpBC]

Good deal, glad you walked away with that. As for the diagram, its in your best interests to purchase a premium member ship for this website. Go to the header and click premium, becoming a member would allow you to download your exact models manual, for much cheaper than going and buying it.
:cheers:

 

[Mizzie]

thanks! and yes I definetly plan to become a premium member, will have to wait till next week as I just spent money this week and i'm sure ill need new oil plugs and etc so i'm a little dry for the week haha can anyone help me in the time being? any one have a 587 they could snap some pictures for me so i can compare them to mine and see whats not right yet?

thanks very much! and don't worry premium membership will come as im sure ill be needing ALOT of help! but any help before hand is greatly appreciated, I have tomorrow off and would like to get something productive done haha.

-Mike