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Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Author:	Topic: 96 gtx tell tale
colt1991a1	posted: 8/2/2010 12:55:29 PM I'm having the same problem with oil in my '96 GTX. Could this be a crank or RV seal?
Johnny K	posted: 8/2/2010 12:47:51 PM and to clean up (once you find the source.. I'm guessing a cracked tank at the seam as TLR suggests or a leaking grommet) I've heard some folks adding a few inches of water to the hull (drain plugs in) and putting in laundry detergent and let it aggitate/wash on the way to the lake.. I'll do the same, but at home with hot water, and then back the skis into a culvert to get them at a steep angle and drain the water. JK
TLR	posted: 8/2/2010 12:05:58 PM 15 yr old oil lines/hoses/clamps. even the oil tank maybe leaking at the seams
65z13	posted: 8/2/2010 12:01:48 PM after sitting for three days on the trailer tilted back at about 30degrees I have more oil than I would like in the bilge. what's the first thing to go in the oiling system
65z13	posted: 7/31/2010 8:08:04 AM yesterday rode the ski out in open water, first the fearless son wide open, he disappeared over the horizon. then doubled up and finally pulled a tube. no power problems during any of that. tell tale shoots out water as advised, maybe I worry too much about overheating small engines in salty water because of past experience. that may be the first gauge I try to repair. I will do the motor flush this morning and try to find the oil leak. what is recommended for cleaning the engine compartment/bilge area? I was considering using some Simple Green on the hull and maybe Gunk the motor ? trying to make it easy to find oil leak, I know this may sometimes make it worse or create more (works like that with car engines). again thats for all the help and this thing really is a blast!!
Surferd15	posted: 7/30/2010 7:02:35 PM Wow! No water thats good man!! To flush buy yourself a set of quick disconnects at walmart they are like 5 bux or less and thread the nipple end onto the ski where the fresh water hook up is, much easier I installed these on all my GTXs..I got 3. Also for the pump just use gear oil 75w-90 or equiv. Synthetic is the best. Much cheaper and lasts longer then the seadoo stuff. You might still have a loose fitting check the front of the engine where the oil pump is might be the bleeder or oil lines, might need a mirror to see in there. Have you rode the ski yet?? How does it perform? I was gonna ask top rpms but gauges don't work...lol
daverade	posted: 7/30/2010 6:17:46 PM you could use full synthetic Mobil 1 gear lube....same thing, just does not smell so horrible
colt1991a1	posted: 7/30/2010 3:22:08 PM You can screw a garden hose onto that pipe next to the pump. I hook a small section of hose, then an on/off valve, then the garden hose just to make it easier to turn the water on and off. Also, in addition to the 2 stroke oil, there is a small resivoir of "pump" oil in the pump (believe it or not). This is a special Sea Doo pump oil and is rather expensive but it takes very little oil to fill it. One little pint bottle will be good for two oil changes. I change mine every year just to be sure that water hasn't gotten in there. The only other thing is a grease fitting on the drive shaft just behind the engine. It's under a gray plastic cover.
ky	posted: 7/30/2010 1:58:57 PM Your standard garden hose will screw right in.
65z13	posted: 7/30/2010 1:39:06 PM no water in hull over night, maybe a tablespoon of fresh blue oil. other than the tank for the 2cyl mix, what other oils does the ski use? is there gear oil or trans fluid? also, an important question here, where does the fresh water flush hook up? I see what may be the fresh water inlet off the transom, it's about a 6" plastic black pipe with internal threads, is that it or is there supposed to be a fitting under the seat in engine compartment. I was looking for something similar to a cars coolant system flush connection. Is a special adapter needed somewhere?
Surferd15	posted: 7/29/2010 11:42:44 PM Hell if you can get it for $400 thats pretty good. But make sure you are ready to dump money into it, and dockside.....well lets hope in the morning its still floating. A good way to water test is put the plugs in and then fill hull with water to bottom of battery or top of driveshaft area and see if it leaks. My 96 GTX stays dry and my 97 GTX gets a little water in it. But I never leave my skis in the water overnight, did once and my other 96 had alot of water in it.
65z13	posted: 7/29/2010 8:58:38 PM in the morning I will run it and see how the tell tale discharges at speed and if any oil(or water) has accumulated in bilge as it is spending the night dockside as the trailer gets the repair. I really wasn't in the market for a ski, it was part of a yard clean up for an estate sale, but I think the price will be almost half of what Surferd15 suggests. Is there any way to post pictures here?
Surferd15	posted: 7/29/2010 8:10:53 PM Oh forgot, manuals: http://seadoomanuals.net/download/pdf/service/manuals/1996/1996-seadoo-gsx-gtx-sup-manual.pdf
Surferd15	posted: 7/29/2010 8:09:57 PM Def. pass it up but since you insist the indicator on the hose should shoot about 3-4 feet with good hose pressure and the ski running. On the water at idle it trickles out, under throttle it shoots out a couple feet. As long as it flows your fine, this is the least of your worries at this point. Its not like a yamaha "rooster tail" that shoots up in the air. I got a good running 96 GTX, needed some TLC 2 years ago w/o trailer for 1500 and only 96 hours. Since you don't know the hours, and all the problems I would offer $800 and then plan on dumping another $800 if the motor is good for the rest. But if this is going to be your first ski, then skip it and move on, unless your a pro wrencher.
JustDooIt	posted: 7/29/2010 7:45:40 PM That thing sounds like it could be a nightmare. There are so many well-cared for used skis out there. It would be worth spending a little more to get something that doesn't leak fluids, has working gauges, and a trailer that isn't jimmy-rigged. Cracks in the nose of the ski? Salt water used (abused)? You may well spend more time at the shop and/or at the end of a tow roap than riding. I would do some more searching and pass that one up. When you find a clean healthy used one you will see why.
ky	posted: 7/29/2010 7:19:36 PM Better get it for a great price sounds like you may be dumping some big bucks here.
65z13	posted: 7/29/2010 6:45:36 PM did not yet buy the ski, still trying to evaluate what the offer should be. it is fairly clean, no rips in seat, mildly scratched underneath from bad trailer, and slight cracks in finish on the nose possibly from dockage mishap. salt water use. not sure if I can tell how many hours, I believe that is one of the (digital?) gauges that does not work. still need to know how much pressure should be on the tell tale at idle and when cruising. is there a downloadable schematic for the wiring system and gauge cluster ? thanks again for all the responses.
Surferd15	posted: 7/29/2010 4:55:23 PM So I guess you bought the ski, how much did you pay, hours, and salt or freshwater??
colt1991a1	posted: 7/29/2010 4:01:04 PM Just remember when you hook it up to the hose, do it in this order. Start the engine, Start the water, When finished Stop the water, Stop the engine. You never want a hose running when the engine is off. The engine will fill with water and that's very bad. Also, I never run mine for more than 15 or 20 seconds with no water. I've heard that you can run them up to a minute but that seems like a long time to go with no cooling.
65z13	posted: 7/29/2010 3:54:43 PM thanks for the big response. more info: motor rebuilt less than five years ago, compression sounds strong and runs like raped ape (don't forget I have an AARP card) threw a couple of diapers (not mine) in bilge and refilled tank with no obvious major leaks after two days. Have not checked for fuses but the dial faces are fogged so I would guess they have been soaked. as far as the "tale shoot out" how far/strong should it be at an idle and when running mid throttle. I have not yet connected a fresh water hose to it due to logistics. the trailer is getting a weld repair that will last me two years. thanks again for the help.
ky	posted: 7/29/2010 11:59:47 AM I've got a 96 GTX and I would walk away from it also.
colt1991a1	posted: 7/29/2010 11:18:14 AM I would avoid this one. Too much wrong. Oil in the bilge is probably one of the crank seals. I have found this problem on my ski this year and it looks like it will require pulling the engine to fix.
Surferd15	posted: 7/29/2010 10:10:39 AM I would walk away. If the ski was upside down who knows if the motor got water it, and if they did the right things to get the water out. You could have rust in the motor. Unless the price is really cheap and the rest of the ski is in great shape. As for your questions: tale shoot out? I guess you are talking about the water indicator on the rear of the ski. When its on the hose it should a couple feet if not then there might be something blocking the lines, easy to take off and clean/inspect. Oil in the bilge could me a couple things. It could be leaking from a seal on the oil tank, at one of the lines or the oil pump line that connects to the pump on the front of the motor-mine leaked here-a new clamp fixed it. But its a nasty mess to clean up all that oil. Since the ski was upside down check the oil lines for a milky color/substance-that means water is in the lines(bad). Gauges-my 97 GTX was flipped for 2 hours in salt (damn friend) and all my gauges work. Could be connections are corroded or a fuse is blow in the front electrical box, which could have got water in it as well. I like using my gauges for the gas, rmps etc.. so its up to you. They are expensive to replace especially the middle LCD gauge. Right off the bat you have alot of work ahead of you and possibly some $$$$. Since the gauges don't work you don't know how many hours are on the ski, is it saltwater or freshwater use? Compression on the motor? and whats the asking price? Trailer included? These are all things you should check/ask.
65z13	posted: 7/29/2010 9:49:00 AM newbee here. first jetski rider also. checking out 96 seadoo gtx for possible purchase. how big should the tell tale shoot out, it looks like a dribbler. had similar prob with small outboards getting salt clogged, is this common? whats with all the oil in the bilge? I read something about checking for hose color for possible replacement if original. ski still has separate oil tank, is it prone to leaking at connections or tank going bad? the gauges all do not work, owner says ski was upside for 15 mins a couple years back (blamed his wife)and shortly after they stopped working. repair, replace, or don't need them? thanks in advance looking forward to having fun with my kids and grandkids on this thing if it's a go.

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