• This site contains eBay affiliate links for which Sea-Doo Forum may be compensated.

Just Bought a 1998 Sea doo spx: Need Some info

Status
Not open for further replies.
Spx

Spx

New Member
I have a few ?'s. 1)So where is the the drain for the jet pump oil? 2) what kind of oil do I replace it with. 3) Is there any common problems with these? 4) how are the motors (bullet proof or head aches) 5) I paid 1200 for it and its pretty clean (ill try to get some pictures) is that High or low? (cant seem to find any on C-list). Anything else you wanna add (new to sea doo family)
Any info would be great!:thumbsup:
 
When I bought my 96 GTX in 2006 I bought a repair manual online. about $25. I changed my oil too, go to Seadoo.com and they will have diagrams for you to follow until you get the book.

Couldn't tell you about the price for sure but it sounds like a reasonable price for you.
 
that's a good price if it is in good condition! to drain the jet pump oil you have to remove the nozzle, then pull the cone. check the VTS box inside the hull; make sure there is no water in it. check the vts through hull boot on the shaft that is connected to the nozzle; this will most likely need to be replaced. check the wear ring to prop clearance. it should be no larger than .040". the 800 motor is very reliable if you treat it well.
 
1) remove the pump nozzle, and then remove the tail cone, and the oil will come out. (put a rag under it)
2) Synthetic GL5 75w-90 gear lube. (3oz, needed)
3) Gray "Tempo" fuel lines decay; Float in the fuel tank sinks; VTS shorts out if the boot rips; Buzzer dies.
4) Great engine, if the right oil is used (full synthetic, API-TC ONLY !!!!!!!!!!) and you service the oil system once in a while.
5) Great price if in good shape. (assuming you get a trailer too)


Welcome, and let's see some pics.
 
Dr Honda said:
1) remove the pump nozzle, and then remove the tail cone, and the oil will come out. (put a rag under it)
2) Synthetic GL5 75w-90 gear lube. (3oz, needed)
3) Gray "Tempo" fuel lines decay; Float in the fuel tank sinks; VTS shorts out if the boot rips; Buzzer dies.
4) Great engine, if the right oil is used (full synthetic, API-TC ONLY !!!!!!!!!!) and you service the oil system once in a while.
5) Great price if in good shape. (assuming you get a trailer too)


Welcome, and let's see some pics.
Click to expand...

Gray Temp lines?? what is that? fuel lines I take it. I am new to pwc world so still got some learning to do. As VTS goes my trim doesnt work, guy said the fuse is blown. So do I need the VTS (just confused on what I have to do lol)
Thanks Guys!!!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The Tempo fuel lines are a USCG approved fuel hose. BUT... they don't like the new fuel with alcohol in it. They decay... and send green goo into the carbs. If you see gray fuel lines in the ski... replace them before they cause damage.


The VTS. Yes... that's the trim system. The fuse is popped becasue the motor is frozen. DO NOT PUT A NEW FUSE IN IT !! Shorted out VTS units are known to roast the MPEM. (the main computer) Pull the VTS, and clean it out. You may be able to bring it back to life. If you do... when you put it back in the hull... replace the boot on the outside of the hull. It keeps the water out of the motor.
 
So what the best way to unfreeze it? Or should I just leave it to avoid damage to anything. Now on to the fuel lines what are the best kind to replace it with(just some auto parts store line?) or what. One last question so what oil is full synthetic and API-TC. I run mystic sea and snow in my sleds idk if that API-TC.
Thanks for all the help guys!!!:thumbsup:
 
VTS: If you are good with tools... open it up, pull the cover off the gear box... clean, dry, and grease everything. You may need new brushes in the motor... but unless it's totally rotten... I've gotten some pretty crusty VTS units to come back to life. BUT... if you don't feel like fixing it... I would also unplug it from the electrical system. (don't take the chance of killing an expensive computer)

Fuel hose: Yes. Get about 25' of black rubber 1/4" fuel hose from the auto parts store. you will also need about 20 clamps.

OIL: Mystic makes a good API-TC oil... but they also sell TC-w3. It should say on the bottle what type it is. Knowing it's for a snowmobile... it's not going to be a TC-w3. (it can't protect with the incoming cold air)

As above... SOME Wal-Marts will sell QuickSilver PWC synth... or you can get XP synth from your local seadoo dealer.
 
My number one suggestion is get the operators guide and the shop manual (can download for free online if you search) and read over them to familiarize yourself with the ski.

Secondly, get online and read, read, read. All the info you need is already out there, just need to search the forums to find it.

As mentioned above, I would second the suggestion to go over the entire fuel and lubrication systems. As Dr Honda said, your ski came stock with bad fuel lines for todays fuel. If the deterioation in the fuel lines is bad, you could ruin your engine. Most likely if the carbs were not recently taken apart, your internal carb filters are gunked up and will need cleaned or replaced. This gunk also likes to collect in the fuel selector switch.

As for the VTS, you could let that go for now and tackle it in the offseason, but you should make sure you seal up any leaks through the VTS boot to prevent any additional damage.
 
seadoo1.jpgseadoo.jpg

Here are some quick pictures I took with my phone, Ill get some more. Btw I got it from orig owner.
 
Yea it is, you could eat from inside the engine compartment. There is no oil or grease on it (i cant beleave). But it does have stock fuel lines and I called him about the vts and he said that he had it serviced three times when it was under warrenty and it last for like three years and was out of warrenty and he said screw it so didnt even worrie about it. O it also has a jet dynamics grate.
 
The VTS should live the life of the ski... but the OE boot drys out, and cracks. OR... the hose clamps get over tightened, and splits the boot. When the boot leaks, it fills the VTS will water, and the motor shorts out.


Because of this.....

I always wondered why they made the VTS box water tight, when the shaft seal SUX ! If the VTS box had a weep hole... any water coming in the shaft could drain into the hull... and then get sucked out by the balers. Plus... if you saw the water, you would know there was a problem. I've been half tempted to drill a hole in the VTS on my ski.
 
FYI.............

You are the owner of an "X4" ski... and there is a thread just for you. (if you look down the page a little)
 
Yep... that's part of it.

When I do an oil system service:

1) Replace the 2 small injector hoses
2) Make sure the check valves are clear/clean
3) Make sure the nipples on the manifold are clear/clean
4) Replace the filter
5) Make sure the pump is set properly, and the cable is lubed
6) Bleed the system.

ALSO


7) Check over the other hoses, and fittings to make sure there aren't any issues. (rubbed/hard/cracked hoses, leaking fittings, etc)


Method on the above will depend if you are removing the carbs or not. (Removal makes it easier)
 
Dr are you still making stickers?? BTW I am reading every single page of the X4 thread lol
 
I called the owner and he said he was running mystic sea and snow full synthetic
 
I looked up the sea and snow... and that oil should be fine. It's not "Certified" but Citgo is calling it an API-TC oil... and it's NOT for use in an outboard engine. (so it's not TC-w3 compliant)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
new 1993 Sea-Doo SPX
2
Replies
34
Views
757
mikidymac
mikidymac
1
Help! Sea doo 657x backfiring
Replies
8
Views
372
burtshaver2021
burtshaver2021
M
Low thrust on a 2007 Sea Doo GTI
Replies
4
Views
274
Milehighguy303
M
B
  • Locked
Peculiar stutter/stumble at WOT with TWO identical 1990 Sea Doo SP machines
Replies
1
Views
480
Drdlennon
D
nickandrisin
  • Locked
1990 GT // Progress Thread
2
Replies
40
Views
3,082
DougtheSlug
DougtheSlug
Back
Top