97 Kawasaki STX 900

[udm328is]

Hiya,
sent my ski to the shop, wasn't working at all, just a single click when I hit the start button, the guy did a rough look and called me and said compression is good so it probably isn't anything major but I want to take it out and run it. He called me today after taking it out and said he could hear it falling apart and that the bottom half is no good and I need a new motor because the rod is bent. He quoted me $1750 for a new motor and to replace seals and this and that to make it basically new when its finished. I know absolutely nothing about jet ski's which I am pretty sure he is aware of and am looking for some advice as to does this sound like it makes sense, and if so, is that a reasonable price for the work? Thanks for any suggestions...

 

[bently]

Re: 97 Kawasaki STX 900

For a dealer to perform the repairs, yes. There will be some type of engine warrenty when they are done, if not I would definately discuss that with them first. I have rebuilt several ski engines and they are not hard to work on once you get it out of the hull. I would measure the height of the top of the piston to the top of the block (at top dead center) and that will tell you if the rod is bent. A noise can be perseaved as being several things.

 

[udm328is]

Re: 97 Kawasaki STX 900

Thanks, I appreciate the info. He is a do it yourselfer I found on the web that happened to be close to my house, so maybe I should check into elsewhere or attempt to educate myself to do it on my own.

 

[bently]

Re: 97 Kawasaki STX 900

The two causes of bent rods are hydro-locked or object logged suddenly in the impeller.

 

[bigdaddypt]

Re: 97 Kawasaki STX 900

another thing to consider is where he'll be getting the engine that's going into your ski. if it's an SBT motor, you want to run away...I've heard a lot of negative things about their motors and their service when it comes to the warantee.

it's a 97 ski...you probably can find a good used motor for a lot less than that. they're not that hard to install and you can do it with basic hand tools, except when it comes to aligning the motor.

 

[The Penguin]

Re: 97 Kawasaki STX 900

I'm not going to say that SBT motors are bad, but if you don't find out what caused the old motor to fail and just throw a new/used/rebuilt motor in there - you run the risk of ruining another motor.

if the problem was in the oil pump and you re-use it...guess what? you'll blow another motor.

If you go the SBT route - buy the premium motor for the longer warranty.

 

[udm328is]

Re: 97 Kawasaki STX 900

Thanks again for all the replies. I think my biggest fear is that he is full of it, he first made it out to be like it seemed to only be minor issues and then suddenly the next day I was in need of almost 2 grand worth of work, yet he got it to run and on the water which was more than I was ever able to do, so Im wondering if I should just get it back as is and hope for the best for this summer and then if it really does need work do it in the fall and winter.

 

[bently]

Re: 97 Kawasaki STX 900

For a ton of do-it-your-self knowledge, check out Green Hulk PWC forum, they will have every answer you will be looking for on your ski. They can tell you the best route for you to take with your current issues.