Picked up a Free Seadoo, now what....

[Tashier]

I picked up a 93 Seadoo and what I know is it's white and green with pink lettering. Yes it's beautiful. It has a 580CC engine in it that runs. Needs a battery and some minor fiberglass work. I need to know more about this thing.

1. First of all, what model is it? I can't find anything on this other than a VIN# and a number like 5806 (from memory) on the back swim step sticker. I got the year from the registration but how do I really know?

2. The oil in it is clear. I've never seen clear two stroke oil. The reading up I've done on here so far suggests using something other than TCW3 which is what I've always used in other skis (kawi, Yamaha) Does clear oil sound right?

3. A 6" crack, left side just below the front of the seat. Previous owner says from jumping huge wakes. Any suggestions on fiberglass repair for that? It's still ridable. Is this common on this ski?

4. What are the two little metal posts surrounded by orange plastic coming out of the magneto for?

Thanks in advance.

Sean

 

[kustomkarl]

The 2 stroke oil shouldn't be clear...the post next to the magneto are to set the spark plug caps on when turning the engine over with the plugs out to prevent an ignition coil problem from the caps not being grounded.
Do you have a seadoo shop manual? If not here’s an idea for you. You could join as a "premium member". As a premium member you can down load a authentic seadoo manual from the seadoo manual library. In the library is a variety of manuals for almost all years and models. You can view as many as you like on line as a PDF file, or download it and print it for your personal and private use. There are operator manuals and repair manuals for you to do your own repairs on your seadoo. The repair manuals have everything from troubleshooting, repair procedures to winterizing. It contains wire diagrams torque specs and pictures for disassemble and assemble instructions. In the spec sheets it tells everything needed to maintain oil changes, spark plug gaps, carburetor rebuilds and impeller wear ring tolerances. Click on the "Seadoo Manuals" link at the top of the page for more details. If you need any help or get in a jam, we are always here to answer your questions too. Premium members get priority when it comes to getting quick detailed answers.
This manual library will answer all the questions you ever want to ask and then some.

Karl

 

[Tashier]

Thanks, but I'll have to pass on the Premium membership. I have the owners manual and besides that I don't really plan on becoming a SeaDoo expert and most likely won't be working on any other Seadoos in the near future. I just wanna get a little education, enough to get this thing going and out of my garage.

Also I forgot to mention that I compression tested the cylinders and got 120psi in one and 130 in the other. How does that fair?

Thanks.

 

[kustomkarl]

Here is some information on the compression test. The manual isn't gonna mean you'll be an expert, but it will help you take it apart and put it back together again. Here is some information. To test compression, remove both spark plugs. Place spark plug caps on the plug cap studs near the cylinder head to ground the empty caps. This completes the circuit of the ignition electrical system and prevents any electrical problems from the caps being un grounded. Using the correct adapter for the threaded end of the tester,( same length of the spark plug threads length)screw in the tester in one plug hole. Hold the throttle wide open. Push the start button. Watch the compression gauge, when it peaks out at the most compression, let go the start button. Read the psi number. I would do it 3 times to be sure it is accurate. Check both cylinders the same way. The ideal compression is 150 psi per cylinder. If it is less, it's not a problem as long as they are close to being the same. If the psi is less than 90 it might need be time for a tear down and a rebuild. If the psi in 1 cylinder is say 140 psi and the other is 80 psi you need to tear down and repair. This difference is a lot and there is a problem. I hope this helps you.

Karl

 

[Tashier]

Thanks Karl,

I had already compression tested it but failed to put the spark wires on the little posts since I didn't know what they were for. It still runs so I suppose I am OK. Like I mentioned the compression was about 120 and 130.

Can someone possibly tell me what the model type is for this ski? Where do I find the year/model on this thing?

 

[Tashier]

Well, I did figure out that it is an SP. It says it in big letters on the side I never noticed.

 

[kustomkarl]

On the rear of the seadoo is a plate on the starboard side. It will have a HULL number that you use to get it registered with.The last 2 digits are the year of the unit.
There are a lot of little things that could cause you problems if you aren't aware of them. That's why I suggested the Manual for your use. It's cheap insurance for maintenance and is lots cheaper than the $85.00 I paid for a seadoo manual from the local seadoo dealer.
I hope this helps.

Karl

 

[Tashier]

So new battery in it and it runs perfectly. Picked up the hose adapter to run water through it.

So after having several people tell me the XPS oil isn't clear I purchased some and opened it up and tada, it's clear. Yes, it has a brown tinge to it but the stuff is clear as compared with any other two stroke oil which is black, blue or purple. So just for everyone elses info in my book the stuff is clear. It matches what is in the tank so I think I'm good and won't have to purge the oil injection system.

My next two items are to fix the fiberglass crack and if I'm still happy with the ski straighten a little ding on the impeller.

I think I may try my hand at the fiberglass since one quote was going to be roughly $400. Does anyone know if getting a tub/shower repair kit would be adequate for it?

 

[kustomkarl]

No, go to Walmarts and get a fiberglass repair Kit in the automotive section. It will have everything you need. uh...XP-S Synthetic oil is not clear...it is brownish in color( like beer). The XP-S Mineral is Blueish in color...not clear.

Karl

 

[sanpan25]

2. The oil in it is clear. I've never seen clear two stroke oil. The reading up I've done on here so far suggests using something other than TCW3 which is what I've always used in other skis (kawi, Yamaha) Does clear oil sound right?



Thanks in advance.

Sean

The seadoo brand mineral oil was clear with a yellow tinge to it. This is the cheapest of oils seadoo used.

 

[Tashier]

Thanks, I'll check out walmart today for that.

Karl, I think you have the colors backwards. I have the regular mineral and it's the clear/beer colored stuff. The synthetic is the blue stuff.

 

[kustomkarl]

No, I have been using these oils for a long time...The reason oil has a tint to it is so you know if it has been premixed or not. Other wise you would assume so if it wasn't and you know what assume means... also I always have 4 cases of each in my garage, I use so much of it. I can actually TASTE the difference with my eyes closed. :ack::rofl:...don't say clear...

Karl

 

[Tashier]

Well, dunno what else to say. I've got a bottle of XPS Mineral right in front of me and it's clear/beer colored.

Took the ski out saturday and it ran flawless. A lot of people's favorite out on the water even moreso than the newer yamaha GP1200. It's definately much more economical to run. That GP1200 burns a LOT of gas.

 

[Yamaha90]

if your oil colors match then you are right as long as your ski runs fine. the compression isn't bad but could be better as for fiberglass repiair you need that white fiberglass matting and the resin stuff to mix up. to make the crack un-noticable you should do both side and then sand it smooth, painting over to match if possible, if not screw it. enjoy it lol

 

[seadooGSX97]

Compression was 120 and 130? The book says there shouldnt be more than a 5% or 10% difference (cant remember witch one.) A couple years ago mine was 100 and 115. I took it to the dealer and had them fix it for free. For your fiberglass issue i would suggest a fiberglass repair shop, or someone that specializes in working with fiberglass. For your make and model issue. Usually they are written ALL over the seadoo. But it sounds like a Bombardier XP. Hope this helped!

Austin

 

[JPX]

Bombardier did change the color of the XPS. I remember it used to be blue/green. But a bottle I picked up recently was the yellowish color.

How cool to have a "classic" Seadoo! Post pictures!