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working on a jetski vs scooter

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:13 pm
by mr pibbs
aside from the obvious differences, how much different is it working on pwc's as opposed to the single cylinder scooters? Anyone made the transition? I may have the opportunity to start working on jetskis - we'll see.

Re: working on a jetski vs scooter

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 11:12 pm
by Bear45-70
Water cooled 2 strokes run a lot cooler, hence the need for different oil. BUT other than that a 2 stroke is a 2 stroke.

Re: working on a jetski vs scooter

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 2:06 pm
by ALOW1
I went the other way. I used to be big into Jet Ski's. They are not bad to work on.

Re: working on a jetski vs scooter

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 9:11 am
by eliteguy50
Bear45-70 wrote:Water cooled 2 strokes run a lot cooler, hence the need for different oil. BUT other than that a 2 stroke is a 2 stroke.
Yes, but jetskis are 2t, 4t, turbo charged, super charged and those are just the factory models. The injection systems are far more advanced than any carb we have on our scoots. It is like opening a new car hood because there are just as many wires under that seat.

Biggest piece of advice I can give you is to have it well ventilated. The engine compartment will trap fumes and can act like a bomb if ignited. Some shops in my area will not even service them because of this. If the seat is off, there is usually no damage to the ski. If the seat is locked in place, then you have a real bomb that will split the entire hull (hopefully).

It is easy to learn how to work on them. Getting used to it is another matter. Just put your scooter engine in a box and try working on it for a few hours to get a feel for it. Banged up elbows come with the job.

Re: working on a jetski vs scooter

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 7:17 pm
by spree-rider
Recently i've been looking for a Kawasaki x2 ski in my aera fo a small prject because that's a hobby i would like to get into

Re: working on a jetski vs scooter

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 7:56 pm
by evilone
I just got this 1988 seadoo for $30. I'm charging the battery now and will see what all needs done. It was a little intimidating when i first removed seat and saw all the "stuff" but after looking at it more it's not bad at all. The guy hauled some stuff for another guy who gave him the seadoo as payment. The guy i got it from said "i just want my $30 in gas back".

Image

Re: working on a jetski vs scooter

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 9:00 pm
by SpreeMadness520
Quick question, Didnt that seem kinda sketchy to you? lol

Re: working on a jetski vs scooter

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 9:21 pm
by spree-rider
the hull is worth easily $150

Re: working on a jetski vs scooter

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 9:52 pm
by eliteguy50
spree-rider wrote:the hull is worth easily $150
Depends on your area, I couldn't give away a hull I had last summer. Those older skis are really easy, almost as simple as our scoots with the addition of another cylinder. These new ski's are the fancy ones. I don't know what is currently offered in the civic but there was a time when Honda's jet ski had a bigger engine than the civic (both displacement and HP).

Re: working on a jetski vs scooter

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 8:43 am
by evilone
SpreeMadness520 wrote:Quick question, Didnt that seem kinda sketchy to you? lol
Nah, It quits running and seeing how it's a 2-stroke the owner doesn't know what to do to fix it, seeing how the brand new battery didn't get it running! So he trades it for services or sells it really cheap. Sounds like several of us forum members have aquired scooters this way, huh? And the guy i got it from was probably close to 60-65, full beard, and hobbled when he walked. It was a lawn ornament to him. I'll find out soon enough if it's worth getting it going.
eliteguy50 wrote:Those older skis are really easy, almost as simple as our scoots with the addition of another cylinder. These new ski's are the fancy ones.
I'm sure the new fancy ones are a p.i.t.a. to work on compared to my 88. This is alot like our scooters once you start tinkering with it.