1997 Polaris 1050. 120HP(2seater) NEED HELP!

[hokies222]

Hey guys. I am thinking of buying this type of jet ski from a guy and he said everything is fine but it for some reason tops out at 55 instead of the regular 65. Does anyone know why it kinda just tops out at 55 and just doesnt have the full power. Bad engine? I think he said he tried to change the spark plugs but it still doesnt go up past 55. He said it use to go up to 65 but for some reason now it gets to about 55 and will not go any faster. Any advice? I do not want to buy it cheap and find out the problem is a new engine or somethin that will cost more then the 2000 dollars i was going buy it for. Thanks.

Oh and the engine has 98 hours on it and has been run in salt water some if that helps.


http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/659998188.html That is the link to one i was going to buy.

[rgard32]

What is the MAX rpm while riding?

[785 lugs]

check the compression

[ph2ocraft]

10MPH loss in speed and no way for you to compare it against something.
Two things come to mind for that type of sudden speed loss. No fuel and crank out of index.
I'd check for a restricted fuel system and make sure it's not running lean.
Check crank index to verify the crank is not out of phase.
Check compression to make sure the PISTONS/RINGS are in good shape.
If you get the BIG ticket items out of the way and you know the engine is helthy, the rest is easy to figure out.

[Keddano]

A 1050 doing 65 Stock? Pirate's 1200 doesn't do 65.

[ph2ocraft]

The speedo will show about 65 with the actual speed being in the 58-62MPH range depending on year and rider.
Pirates Virage is a 3 seater the 1050 is a 2 seater, so in glassy conditions the 2 seater will do quite well. Put them both in some chop and the story is going to be quite different.

[absentx]

Yeah if you cant get the dream o meter to hit 64 to 66 on a 1050 something is probably wrong....

If I saw 60 to 62 I wouldnt worry too much, but if the dream o meter is only hitting 55 something is wrong.

Again...although the dream o meters are off, they are consistent. If I am doing a speed run on GPS and the dream o meter hits 70, I know I just hit a record run at 63 or 64 or something like that.

Find out those rpms and go check out the ski...could be a host of things, but like ph2 says, rule out the big daddys first, the rest is easy.