First post. Hello, Darin here from the northwoods of Wisconsin. I’ve been working on dirt bikes, ATV, sleds, and a lot of outboard motors over the years. I’m most familiar with the Outboard’s as I sell those out of my garage as a hobby. This ski is the first I’ve ever had.
We recently got a 96 Xp for $500 with the trailer. Owner thought there was a rock stuck in the impeller because it wouldn’t turn over. Turned Out to be a dead battery!! It runs about 52 mph, so the wear ring might be worn, but that’s not the issue. Compression is 145-147. Doesn’t appear the motor has ever been opened. It’s in fairly good shape given its age. Shined up nicely.
My 10 year old has been ripping around on it a lot. He’s a phenomenal pilot. He’s able to dig the nose in and keep burying it deeper and deep to the point that a wall of water is coming Over the handlebars. Front of the ski is a couple feet down in the water. I’m not bragging or being the “my kid is the greatest ever” but just to you how water is coming in. That is how deep he can get it to dig. He’s kind of an in control maniac. There in lies the problem.
After his exhibition, so much water has gotten inside the engine compartment. So much water that I installed a bilge pump and switch. After each run, there’s about 3-4 gallons of water inside. Sometimes it gets to the intake and fouls a plug or won’t run right. Pump it out, change a plug, and do it again. Actually today, I could not getting it to run right at all. Needed choke most of the time to run.
I’ve sealed the seat gap up in the front, I’ve taped over the vent lines up front, and taped off half of the side intake vents also. It’s coming through the side intakes. Thats the largest opening and a lot of water is getting in.
I’m looking for advise on how to get it somewhat sealed as it’s becoming a problem the harder he rides. Are there aftermarket vents that could be added? I’m thinking maybe vents on the rear of the ski would be the least susceptible to water intrusion. But hey, what do I know? Not much.
I’ve also got a carb kit on the way has it seems to have a bog off idle that I can’t get out. I can take down the intake in record time, even at the boat launch, adjust the LSA to one turn, etc. Right now, they run best at 1/2 turn out but can’t even start without the choke. Get it off of idle and she’s a great runner. A little
boggy in the mid-range but just for 1/2 second or so. I’ve read the post on carb cleaning and followed all the steps to a T, all except pop off pressure. I need to make me one of those.
Sorry to be long winded. I’ve done hours and hours of research learning how these work. A bit overwhelming at first but things are falling into place.
Let me know what you think.
We recently got a 96 Xp for $500 with the trailer. Owner thought there was a rock stuck in the impeller because it wouldn’t turn over. Turned Out to be a dead battery!! It runs about 52 mph, so the wear ring might be worn, but that’s not the issue. Compression is 145-147. Doesn’t appear the motor has ever been opened. It’s in fairly good shape given its age. Shined up nicely.
My 10 year old has been ripping around on it a lot. He’s a phenomenal pilot. He’s able to dig the nose in and keep burying it deeper and deep to the point that a wall of water is coming Over the handlebars. Front of the ski is a couple feet down in the water. I’m not bragging or being the “my kid is the greatest ever” but just to you how water is coming in. That is how deep he can get it to dig. He’s kind of an in control maniac. There in lies the problem.
After his exhibition, so much water has gotten inside the engine compartment. So much water that I installed a bilge pump and switch. After each run, there’s about 3-4 gallons of water inside. Sometimes it gets to the intake and fouls a plug or won’t run right. Pump it out, change a plug, and do it again. Actually today, I could not getting it to run right at all. Needed choke most of the time to run.
I’ve sealed the seat gap up in the front, I’ve taped over the vent lines up front, and taped off half of the side intake vents also. It’s coming through the side intakes. Thats the largest opening and a lot of water is getting in.
I’m looking for advise on how to get it somewhat sealed as it’s becoming a problem the harder he rides. Are there aftermarket vents that could be added? I’m thinking maybe vents on the rear of the ski would be the least susceptible to water intrusion. But hey, what do I know? Not much.
I’ve also got a carb kit on the way has it seems to have a bog off idle that I can’t get out. I can take down the intake in record time, even at the boat launch, adjust the LSA to one turn, etc. Right now, they run best at 1/2 turn out but can’t even start without the choke. Get it off of idle and she’s a great runner. A little
boggy in the mid-range but just for 1/2 second or so. I’ve read the post on carb cleaning and followed all the steps to a T, all except pop off pressure. I need to make me one of those.
Sorry to be long winded. I’ve done hours and hours of research learning how these work. A bit overwhelming at first but things are falling into place.
Let me know what you think.
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