Newbie questions before you rebuild or buy a ski.

[stimpsonjcat]

I wouldn't bother swapping starters. Pull the plugs on the one that won't turn and turn the shaft by hand. Just yank the shaft guard and grab that to turn it. If that fails then yank the pump and try again to see which end is seized.

[twtcad]

I wouldn't bother swapping starters. Pull the plugs on the one that won't turn and turn the shaft by hand. Just yank the shaft guard and grab that to turn it. If that fails then yank the pump and try again to see which end is seized.

Good call.......that is exactly what I did. Actually the prior owner beached it and the grate was full of sand and grass. I got it up in the air and flushed it out really well then turned the shaft by hand....everything is free! But I've now found the main problem. when I hit the start button the brain box only hums....yeah that sucks. So I opened it up and there was a little water in there and a lot of corrosion. The bus bar that the starter solenoid connects to was corroded off what plastic and one pin broke. I reconnected the lead to the other empty lead but it is still not connected to the plastic board. Starter still does not engage, but I can jumper the solenoid and it cranks. So either I have a bad starter solenoid or that bus bar has to be connected to the plastic mount. Does anybody know if it has to be connected or does it not matter? If it does matter, can I connect the 3 leads to an empty bus bar? Thanks......Todd

[K447]

If you need a new terminal board, then you need a new terminal board.

[twtcad]

If you need a new terminal board, then you need a new terminal board.

Yeah....I'm looking into that.....there was a spot on the board that was marked as spare, so I moved the terminals to that spot and I'm waiting on a solenoid now so I can test and trying to find a new steering cable cheaper than $175.00.

[rcman989]

#3 cylinder head used on #1 cylinder.

Are the cylinders and cylinder heads be swapped around on a 95 SL 750?


As requested:
Where u from? Minnesota
what kind of ski SL 750
what year 1995
what kind of engine Fuji
how many hours on the meter? not sure
how long did it sit not sure
any new/modified parts on it not sure
recent tune-ups or rebuild
general history of the ski if you know
price $300
comes with trailer? N
live on water?
did the ski run on saltwater or normal lake water Lake Water
compression numbers?
does it run? IDK
Pictures,videos?
mechanical knowledge Average
tools

[BlueFishCrisis]

Are the cylinders and cylinder heads be swapped around on a 95 SL 750?


As requested:
Where u from? Minnesota
what kind of ski SL 750
what year 1995
what kind of engine Fuji
how many hours on the meter? not sure
how long did it sit not sure
any new/modified parts on it not sure
recent tune-ups or rebuild
general history of the ski if you know
price $300
comes with trailer? N
live on water?
did the ski run on saltwater or normal lake water Lake Water
compression numbers?
does it run? IDK
Pictures,videos?
mechanical knowledge Average
tools

Welcome to the Hulk! Start reading about your ski here: The heads are not specific to any one cylinder, the are interchangeable. Feel free to start a new thread with your questions and some photos!!!

[Chef]

about my ski

Hi all. I have enjoyed this forum as a guest for some time now. I aquired my 2001 Genesis I a week ago and I'm ready to start the restoration process. The weather here in North Alabama should allow for a long season on the water. I am excited to get back on the water as my big boat just got way to expensive to take out and spend a day cruising the rivers here...so here's my intro.....


Where u from? North Alabama
what kind of ski: Polaris Genesis I
what year: 2001
what kind of engine: 1200
how many hours on the meter? 157
how long did it sit: unknown
any new/modified parts on it: unknown
recent tune-ups or rebuild: unknown
general history of the ski if you know: unknown
price: traded a project car
comes with trailer? No
live on water? No but access 20 minutes to good waters
did the ski run on saltwater or normal lake water: Fresh water as far as I've been told
compression numbers? 120 120 120
does it run? yes needs work
Pictures,videos? Not yet
mechanical knowledge: Good...lots of car/bike/boat projects over the years
tools: access to most anything

Here's the known issues I've been informed of and results of a test ride today:
Previous owner says the shop told him the TPS is bad. Runs good on the stand with hose, revs fine. In the water the ski won't go over 3000 rpm and oscillates between 2500 and 3000 rpm at WOT.

Bilge pump wouldn't run. checked fuse and it was blown, replaced it and pump runs continuously with engine running and stopped, won't turn off unless fuse is removed.

Stalls at idle in the water, idles fine on the stand with hose

Will not shift into reverse running or stopped

First attempt to start failed. Would turn over but would die after it fired. Gas was bad, obviously sat a long time. drained tank and filled with no-ethanol pure gas. Runs and idles on stand.

I've got a lot to troubleshoot. I'm thinking I should t/s the LR module and the no reverse issue, bilge pump won't shut off first then go to the compression tests and TPS after all that is working as it should...anyone had the same combination of problems?

Thanks to all who have posted the great info here! I know I have already benefited....

[RiverRider_IL]

Hello Hulk members. I have been perusing these forums because I recently aquired a ski for almost a steal and wanted to see what the support is for an early model Polaris SL750 - Short story, I picked it up with a broken rod basically blown motor and trailer for $200. Hasnt been in the water for two years and I'd like to make an attempt to bring her back to life and have something that rips down my local river with my mates. Im thinking engine swap to a Genesis? Heres my info, tell me what you think. Thanks for your input in advance, any help is appreciated.

Where u from? - Peoria, Illinois
what kind of ski - Polaris SL750 (Two-seater)
what year - 1994
what kind of engine - I believe Fuji 750cc 2-Stroke (Blue)
how many hours on the meter? - Dead battery currently
how long did it sit - At least 2 years
any new/modified parts on it - Paint job, otherwise stock
recent tune-ups or rebuild - Coming soon
general history of the ski if you know - N/A
price - $260 including a two-spot trailer
comes with trailer? - YES it is set up for a single spot but can add on for a two spot
live on water? NO, 8 blocks away
did the ski run on saltwater or normal lake water - fresh water
compression numbers? - N/A
does it run? - NO
Pictures,videos? - Need help to post them
mechanical knowledge - Average or above
tools - full toolbox

[BlueFishCrisis]

Hello Hulk members. I have been perusing these forums because I recently aquired a ski for almost a steal and wanted to see what the support is for an early model Polaris SL750 - Short story, I picked it up with a broken rod basically blown motor and trailer for $200. Hasnt been in the water for two years and I'd like to make an attempt to bring her back to life and have something that rips down my local river with my mates. Im thinking engine swap to a Genesis? Heres my info, tell me what you think. Thanks for your input in advance, any help is appreciated.

Where u from? - Peoria, Illinois
what kind of ski - Polaris SL750 (Two-seater)
what year - 1994
what kind of engine - I believe Fuji 750cc 2-Stroke (Blue)
how many hours on the meter? - Dead battery currently
how long did it sit - At least 2 years
any new/modified parts on it - Paint job, otherwise stock
recent tune-ups or rebuild - Coming soon
general history of the ski if you know - N/A
price - $260 including a two-spot trailer
comes with trailer? - YES it is set up for a single spot but can add on for a two spot
live on water? NO, 8 blocks away
did the ski run on saltwater or normal lake water - fresh water
compression numbers? - N/A
does it run? - NO
Pictures,videos? - Need help to post them
mechanical knowledge - Average or above
tools - full toolbox

Welcome to the Hulk! Start a new thread with your questions! With a broken rod, you are looking at a motor swap or a full bottoms up rebuild.....

[Mikemc411]

Where u from? Gallatin, TN
what kind of ski Genesis
what year 2001
what kind of engine Domestic (Red)
how many hours on the meter? not sure
how long did it sit - 10 months?
any new/modified parts on it not sure
recent tune-ups or rebuild - thru hull bearings replaced went to reinstall main shaft noticed crank locked up- top end tore down on engine...
general history of the ski if you know-
price $500
comes with trailer? Yes
live on water? No - just bought house about 1/4 mile from boat ramp
did the ski run on saltwater or normal lake water Lake Water
compression numbers? engine tore down
does it run? Nope
Pictures,videos?
mechanical knowledge - have worked on ALL types of stuff - avaiation, motorcycles etc... First time PWC owner
tools - lots of tools, shop press, tubing bender, welder, 2 post lift etc... (I have a jeep adiction !!)

Just bought a house 1/8 mile from the lake, when to lunch with a vendor last week, we got to talking about PWC.. he owns a couple, said old 2 stokes could be found cheap... 2 days later (1 day before moving) - I found this on Craigslist "make offer" - crank locked up - top end of engine tore down.. impeller/drive shaft out - has new throuogh hull bearings installed - they though the problem was drive line bearings, so the installed new bearings and realized crank was locked up upon reinstall... Tore down engine end of last summer, #3 piston in bad shape, looks like pieces of piston got down in crank locking it up, owner decided to buy new ski... came with two new WMS Platinum .05 mm over pistons and two carb kits.. don't know why there were only two??

Super rookie with PWC's - has been 15 years since I've even riden one... - had to ask owner where the engine was when I bought this thing... LOL... but I've owned 2 stroke dirt bikes, rebuilt a harley engine... etc... Not afraid of anything mechanical.. and love a project..!!

Plan is to pull engine - split case , hopefully find and remove piston chunks - inspect crank hope it's in servicable condition... reinstall with New seals / Gaskets...

Since I have two new WMS Platinum .05 over pistons- plan to buy a 3rd , if you look close in picture , cylinder sleaves are rusty as they have been exposed to weather...
- since I am boring .05 over, is it ok to re-use these sleeves? or do I need to bite the bullet and install new sleeves now?
Plan to put new carb kits in....
new hoses, etc...
owner suspects #3 cylinder damage is from cooling water issues... - thinking I do "Pisser" mod ?? - so i can get a visual on each cylinder water flow-- love more details on this...

I've read / researched as much as I could over the weekend - bought this thing Friday during lunch--- then moved into new house Saturday!! been a busy weekend, ready to get house chores behind me and dig into this ski... Summer is here and I am ready to get it in the water...

[K447]

...
what kind of ski Genesis
what year 2001
... First time PWC owner
...

Super rookie with PWC's .. Not afraid of anything mechanical.. and love a project..!!

... inspect crank hope it's in serviceable condition... ...cylinder sleeves are rusty as they have been exposed to weather...

Welcome

See my signature links for lots of useful info.

Does this engine have carburetors or fuel injection?

If the crankshaft has been exposed to weather then I would be very hesitant to use it without rebuilding the crank. Even a slightly rusty crank bearing will fail in short order at 6000+ RPM. A crank failure at high RPM can cause great damage to the engine.

The Genesis is a very solid and smooth riding hull. The key to these older watercraft is inspecting everything. What makes them reliable is the maintenance. Do not assume anything is still in good or serviceable condition, inspect, maintain, service, replace as needed.

Once you have done the work up front these machines tend to be reliable and straightforward to own.

[Mikemc411]

Carbureted engine - the crank was not exposed - it was in the ski with seats on... the jugs were left in the footwells through the winter.. looks like light surface rust...

I though my research showed this thing to have Keihn (sp) carbs... but i did get two Mikuni SBN carb kits with the ski ? haven't dug in yet...

[Binderman]

NEWBIE here and totally green to anything that has a motor and runs on the water! My son drug home a SL900 from a college buddy. I wanted for the trailer mainly (lawnmower trailer) but after he got the whole mess home I got interested in the ski. Previous owner said it was running before the hull filled up with water (no plug).


Where u from? Texas
what kind of ski Polaris SL900
what year? 1996
what kind of engine ? Its red = Domestic?
how many hours on the meter? MFD is currently not working
how long did it sit? About a year.
any new/modified parts on it? I wouldn't have a clue
recent tune-ups or rebuild? No info here either.
general history of the ski if you know. Ski was a runner till hull filled with water (has ran since swamping) due to missing plug. E-box is separated and shows some wiring damage.
price. $250
comes with trailer? Yes
live on water? No, my end of Texas is DRY!!!!!!
did the ski run on saltwater or normal lake water? Lake water.
compression numbers? TBD
does it run? TBD
Pictures,videos? Coming soon
mechanical knowledge. If it has a motor and stays on terra firma I can fix it!!! (been twisting nuts since I was old enough to hold a wrench)
tools? Most likely have anything I'll need!


Now for my first question to the board. Ski has obvious wiring issues. The E-box is a mess as there are multiple missing connectors tore off the connector board (if that's the proper term) a burnt wire that leads up to the mag housing area on front of engine, etc. So is there a safe way to install a battery so diagnosis of what works and doesn't work can start. Should I remove some of the more voltage sensitive items from the system first then reinstall as I feel its safe? I have no fear of electrics but with only one fuse I am worried that I could do more harm than good just hooking up the battery. It looks like a new mag or CDI will cost more than the ski if either let the magic smoke out. ANY help is greatly appreciated!!!

[BlueFishCrisis]

NEWBIE here and totally green to anything that has a motor and runs on the water! My son drug home a SL900 from a college buddy. I wanted for the trailer mainly (lawnmower trailer) but after he got the whole mess home I got interested in the ski. Previous owner said it was running before the hull filled up with water (no plug).


Where u from? Texas
what kind of ski Polaris SL900
what year TBD
what kind of engine ? How do I tell?
how many hours on the meter? MFD is currently not working
how long did it sit? About a year.
any new/modified parts on it? I wouldn't have a clue
recent tune-ups or rebuild? No info here either.
general history of the ski if you know. Ski was a runner till hull filled with water (has ran since swamping) due to missing plug. E-box is separated and shows some wiring damage.
price. $250
comes with trailer? Yes
live on water? No, my end of Texas is DRY!!!!!!
did the ski run on saltwater or normal lake water? Lake water.
compression numbers? TBD
does it run? TBD
Pictures,videos? Coming soon
mechanical knowledge. If it has a motor and stays on terra firma I can fix it!!! (been wrenching since I was old enough to hold a wrench)
tools? Most likely have anything I'll need!


Now for my first question to the board. Ski has obvious wiring issues. The E-box is a mess as there are multiple missing connectors tore off the connector board (if that's the proper term) a burnt wire that leads up to the mag housing area on front of engine, etc. So is there a safe way to install a battery so diagnosis of what works and doesn't work can start. Should I remove some of the more voltage sensitive items from the system first then reinstall as I feel its safe? I have no fear of electrics but with only one fuse I am worried that I could do more harm than good just hooking up the battery. It looks like a new mag or CDI will cost more than the ski if either let the magic smoke out. ANY help is greatly appreciated!!!

Welcome to the Hulk! Feel free to start a new project thread. You are correct to disconnect as much as possible. In fact, tests can be performed on the magneto without applying power. With a burnt wire, this will likely be the first issue...

Second, remove the jet pump and spark plugs. See if the motor will turn over by turning the coupler at the PTO end with your hand. If not, water may have gotten into the crankcase and rusted the crank.

[Bushy260]

I would like to thank the Administrators for setting up this invaluable resource and it's members for providing such an extensive library of information and assistance.
Well, I jumped into the deep end and purchased two Polaris Jestskis in July 2013 with intention of selling them off in Summer 2013-2014. Well, it's approaching summer 2014-2015 here in Australia and, after a lot of procrastination and reading of forums, I've just started getting into the swing of getting them ready. Details are:-
Where u from? - Nambucca Heads on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales in Australia
what kind of ski - Polaris
what year - 1994
what kind of engine - Polaris 750cc Fuji blue motor
how many hours on the meter? - SL750 shows 115 hours and SLT750 hows 67.7 on MFD
how long did it sit - Unknown prior to purchase and 14 months since.
any new/modified parts on it - SL750 has black heads on Mag and PTO and Blue on Cen. Sl750 appears original. Both with updated flame arrestors
recent tune-ups or rebuild - In process. Carb rebuild kits (ex-Needle and seats), Fuel pick-up lines replaced, Triple fuel pumps in progress.
general history of the ski if you know - Said to have been run in fresh water only. No obvious corrosion.
price - Purchased pair for $4,000
comes with trailer? - On double trailer.
live on water? - Unknown - believe farm property.
did the ski run on saltwater or normal lake water - Fresh water dam
compression numbers? SL750 Mag 123 Cen 130 PTO 123. SLT750 Mag 126 Cen 123 PTO 125.
does it run? - Sorta kinda, but working on them.
Pictures,videos? - Can attach pictures. Some may be helpful for others.
mechanical knowledge - Greatly improving.
tools - Apart from me, Stanley Black Chrome socket and wrench set plus various others.