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Just fetched a 89 SP for free, was running. Tips b4 running?

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CamaroMan

CamaroMan

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This is my first jet ski - I dont even know where to run the water / hose or if I need it lying on water?

WIll pull carbs in a week or so -

This thing has been standing for many yrs but did run.

Anything else I shd perhaps check? I have timing lights / vac gauge / compression tester -

Will get serial # and post later -
 
mikidymac said:
Don't ride it without going through the entire fuel system.
Click to expand...

Hi - what do you mean? im going to pull the carbs (throttle bodies?) or whatever and give it a good whiz thru - i have zero familiarity with these things -

however I have a mariner 89 outboard im familiar with and engine building isnt too much of a task - tinkering with bikes for 20 yrs too so im sure pretty straight fwd -


thanks!

also - cant seem to get to manual download page - any links?
 
CamaroMan said:
Hi - what do you mean? im going to pull the carbs (throttle bodies?) or whatever and give it a good whiz thru - i have zero familiarity with these things -

however I have a mariner 89 outboard im familiar with and engine building isnt too much of a task - tinkering with bikes for 20 yrs too so im sure pretty straight fwd -


thanks!

also - cant seem to get to manual download page - any links?
Click to expand...

He means rebuild the entire system, not just the carbs. Replace the fuel lines, clean the petcock, pull and flush the tank, replace the filters and rebuild the carbs, dont just clean them with carb cleaner.

If you dont make 100% sure the fuel system is clean it wont survive ten minutes before it scorches a piston. Its worth the time to go completely from one end of the fuel system to the other replacing and cleaning any part that could be affected by bad gas or debris in the fuel system from sitting. One clogged jet and your in for a bad experience.
 
I believe it should already have a temp alarm, but temps not the issue with the fuel system cleaning. Temp isn't always a good indication of a fuel problem and usually if its overheating from starvation its already too late.

heres a recent post of what happens inside the fuel system when it ages or sits with bad gas in it.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthre...s-why-you-should-change-those-grey-fuel-lines

The fuel in your carbs mixes with the oil and lubricates the entire bottom and top end of the motor, if you aren't getting enough fuel, then you arent getting enough oil either. Even if the oil pump is pumping, if you have no fuel to transport the oil throughout the motor you will destroy the engine. Must be 100% sure the fuel system is working properly.

Its fun to work on them and you will learn a lot tearing it apart and going through it.
 
cool thanks - yes my 89 mariner 60hp was premix.. i do prefer premix - gives me peace of mind.. id be happy to disable it and put a fat sticker on the gas cap with the ratio :)
 
Yea, while some people prefer a premix I don't on my skis. Its not that its a bad idea, but you should rejet it if you do decide to go that route.

At times when I'm running both its not hard at all to burn several tanks in an afternoon. Premixing 60 gallons of gas isn't that fun to me. My 951 drinks fuel faster than I can fill it back up. haha
 
gr8 thanks - will replace everything made of rubber at minimum :)

some pics from the engine bay - i presume its stock..

DSC_0402.JPG

DSC_0404.JPG
 
Looks like it should clean up good. Take the plugs out and see if it turns over by hand, it should. If not the cylinders might not have been fogged and it might have some rust on the walls. Doesn't take long for them to lock up if they sit without proper storage preparation.
 
Also .. FYI that sensor between the plugs is the temp sensor. If you don't hear it chirp when the key is put on it then you should change the beeper located in the handlbar area. If they go bad you will have no indication that it is running too hot, or is low on oil. I would bet a burger that the beeper doesn't work, they dont like sitting for long either. Luckily they are cheap.
 
awesome thanks - have a boat to get done but this will be next on the list.. maybe ill give her a go next week -
 
Again the premix isn't the issue. With a partially dirty fuel system it will run enough to get to top speed but not enough to keep combustion temps and lubrication enough to prevent lean seizing the pistons.
The carb will need a genuine Mikuni carb kit. Do not buy the aftermarket ones as all of them are inferior quality. Also cleaning the fuel selectors almost never works and they are still partially plugged or suck air again leaning out the engine.
No need for a temp sensor as these are open loop cooling. They have a beeper that goes off but this will only happen if it isn't flowing water not if your running lean and melting pistons.
 
92rslt1 said:
Also .. FYI that sensor between the plugs is the temp sensor. If you don't hear it chirp when the key is put on it then you should change the beeper located in the handlbar area. If they go bad you will have no indication that it is running too hot, or is low on oil. I would bet a burger that the beeper doesn't work, they dont like sitting for long either. Luckily they are cheap.
Click to expand...

The 89' doesn't have DESS so no chirp with the lanyard. Just ground the wire with the lanyard on and see if it beeps.
 
ok great tx - will def keep an eye on this thread - much appreciated. i really hope this thing runs without too much effort :) got it free -
 
[MENTION=32235]rod[/MENTION]InEscandido is the go to resident here for the early skis
 
Good info, I guess we are all shell shocked by the grey fuel lines. Still, on a 28 year old ski it s probably a good idea to replace all the fuel lines.

Also as mentioned above there is no reason to rejet just by switching to premix.
 
These have dangling lines with a filter in tank from fuel bafel. These rot away. The two oil pump to rotary cover also rot away.
Gas (use non-ethanol) can also go bad, so use a fuel additive. Air/oxygen is cause. The bafel breath lines or one-way valves can
also go bad, check these and gas cap O-ring and the water separator filter ring. Use BR7ES *plugs, gap 022. Only use a pre-mix
oil and gas to prime a cold engine for easy start, this saves the starters life.
 
CamaroMan, are you sure this is an 89'? I am not an expert on these early skis but I am pretty sure yours should have the yellow 580 engine not the white 580. The white is a little better and people have been know to swap in the white.

The last 2 digits of your VIN/HIN will be the year. Also a picture of the outside of the ski will help.
 
mikidymac said:
CamaroMan, are you sure this is an 89'? I am not an expert on these early skis but I am pretty sure yours should have the yellow 580 engine not the white 580. The white is a little better and people have been know to swap in the white.

The last 2 digits of your VIN/HIN will be the year. Also a picture of the outside of the ski will help.
Click to expand...

Oh thanks - yeah snapped of a few pics late last night - heading there now. Will grab some more info - guy said it was a 89 SP - thats all i know..

Ill get back with some digits - thanks! will have a peek at some parts and see if i can estimate the condition - :)


This is the ski:

DSC_0400.JPG
 
From your picture that it a 1992 and explains the white 580 as that is the first year of the "white" 580.
154.jpg
 
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