Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

[wooks93]

Okay, so I bought this used jetski for $400. I planned to do some hull fiberglassing, and replace the impeller. Neither of which I know how to do.

But it's been sitting outside for about a year-and-a-half now (through every season )

Before I decide to go ahead with this and fix the hull, I want to make the sure the motor runs. I can't put her in the water though....

How should I go about doing this?

If I get the motor running, I'll post pics of the hull and ask about that

Edit: '92 Yamaha Waverunner VXR 650 by the way.


(I hope asking about a jetski in an iBoats forum isn't a sin or anything? )

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

Welcome to iboats, lots of info and experience here to help you. You might be better off posting the engine questions in the PWC engine forum. You are definitely in the right place for the fiberglass work though.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

There are hose attachments made to run water through so you can start the PWC on land. Probaly going to take a visit to a dealer or look on-line.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

Don't worry about asking about fleas here. I got one too, and not all flea owners are idiots.

As for running it on the hose, yes, there are adapters so you can run them out of the water. I don't know about Yamies, but on the Sea Doos, the engine has to be running before turning the water on, and the water must be shut off prior to shutting the engine off. Otherwise, water will get into the cylinders..... not good! Also, do not run it longer than 5 minutes because the jet is running dry.

You can always use the neighbor's pool...

The first thing you need to get is a service manual. Here is a link that has a few in PDF form. I did not see one specific to yours, but one might be close, and that will help give you an idea about the powertrain:

http://jmfiskin.com/manuals/

If indeed you find a good engine and decide to work on the hull, this is the place to be. Repairing your hull is very similar work to all the other fiberglass boats here. At least you will not have to worry about a transom or stringers.... a very good thing.

Don't let Oops talk you into stretching it a few feet. He is a little nuts like that.​

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

I have a "94" 650 flea, 1st owners manual a must, 2nd check under the seat look for a gray hose(thats where mine was) one side screws into your garden hose the other side fits in to the engine area.(check owners manual).3rd new plugs,clean carbs,new battery and fire her upWell thats what I did those engines are very strong and almost bullet proof. Good luck (owners manual was about 20.00 at yamaha dealer they will have to order it)

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

I had a big (3ft) split in my 'ski hull. First, find out what your hull is made of. Mine was "SMC" (sheet molded composite). Basically, the glass and resin, in sheets, are injected w/ catalyst then immediately stamped to form the structure. The dies are heated, to speed the reaction. A giveaway is that both sides of the hull/structure are smooth (from the dies).

Short story long, the fiberglass on many PWC's is much different than that used in boats. I used epoxy to patch mine. Polyester won't stick to SMC.

And ditto on what Fixb52s said about running it and hooking up to the cooling system.

 

[wooks93]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

Thanks for the advice.

I had my padre locate the service manual, so i got that.

Alright, so I'm going to put the impeller in, because I already have one that I know fits. I bought the replacement impeller when I first bought the ski, because I knew I was going to need it. I have the splined tool coming.

After that, I'll do the cooling / hose check.

Then I'll have more fiberglassing questions!

 

[wooks93]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

Wait, all I'm checking is to see if it fires up.

Can i do that without putting in the hose?? It would only be on for like 2 seconds.

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

Wait, all I'm checking is to see if it fires up.

Can i do that without putting in the hose?? It would only be on for like 2 seconds.

Yes, it can run for a few seconds w/o cooling. Keep your finger on the kill switch.

In the event it free-revs due to a lean condition (and therefore the kill switch won't work), shut off the gas to it. It shouldn't do that though; I'm just saying be prepared. Scared the crap out of me first time that happened.

 

[wooks93]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

Uhh, what's free revving due to a lean condition? lol

And also, where can I check what the hull is made of?

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

Uhh, what's free revving due to a lean condition? lol

And also, where can I check what the hull is made of?

When there is no load on the engine, and you're feeding a lean mixture to the combustion chamber, the mixture can be ignited by a piece of glowing hot carbon on the piston or cylinder wall, instead of the spark plug. Same thing as dieseling in a car.

Kill switch won't do anything, it just stops the ignition system, which isn't needed in this situation. Most people say to open throttle all the way, which will "extinguish" the hot particle. I'm not that brave (yet).

If the inside of your hull is smooth, it's most likely SMC. Could be a few different types of resin though, or even plastic. You'll have to ask other owners of a similar ski.

 

[wooks93]

Re: Jetski Restoration!!!! -- But needs lots of advice / help.

What are the different hulls, and how should I repair for each type? Is there something that will pretty much work for any type?

I have to do some extensive hull work... the last owner's must have crashed it, and then bumped into jagged rocks coming from everywhere getting it out.

by the way Joey, THANK YOU for all your responses.

edit: Found that 94 Waveblasters, 98 GP 1200s, and 2006 High-Output Cruisers are SMC. Yeah, actually I found A LOT of waverunners that are SMC.

I'm getting a feeling that all Yamaha ski's are SMC?