1996 Seadoo GSX Not Restarting In Water

[B.noble1228]

Hi I’m new here, I have a 1996 Seadoo GSX that was just rebuilt top to bottom compression is 150 in both cylinders, it has all new gas lines, and the oil lines and tank were cleaned and flushed and oil was replaced with xps full synthetic 2 stroke oil brought it out on the water yesterday for the first time since rebuild and It started up fine went out on the water no problems, came back to the dock and went to go back out and it wouldn’t start. Tried for a few minutes and it would start then die after few seconds, took it out of the water and started on the trailer and died again after a longer duration, drove home and tried again there on the trailer and it stayed running. Any ideas on what’s causing this?

 

[mikidymac]

Did you rebuild the carbs and fuel system using only Genuine Mikuni parts?

 

[B.noble1228]

Did you rebuild the carbs and fuel system using only Genuine Mikuni parts?

I’m not 100 percent sure I paid someone to rebuild the engine, not sure if carbs were rebuilt or were just cleaned

 

[mikidymac]

There you go.....
Rebuild the carbs with only genuine Mikuni parts including new needles and seats per the "Carb Rebuild Thread".

 

[etemplet]

Did you drain the fuel tank and refill it with good fuel? Drain and clean? Lots of stuff gets in those tanks and sits. If it ran good and then didn't.... good idea to look at the fuel as the source of the problem.

 

[B.noble1228]

Did you drain the fuel tank and refill it with good fuel? Drain and clean? Lots of stuff gets in those tanks and sits. If it ran good and then didn't.... good idea to look at the fuel as the source of the problem.

Fuel tank was drained and replaced with premium ethanol free fuel, and I gotta say that the sending unit is nearly impossible to get out of these little machines

 

[etemplet]

Fuel tank was drained and replaced with premium ethanol free fuel, and I gotta say that the sending unit is nearly impossible to get out of these little machines

Good Job !! Pull a vacuum on the fuel system from the carbs to the baffle Clamp off the fuel lines just before the baffle. If you do one at a time, "reserve", then "on" you can verify no leaks and the function of the fuel valve. Air leaks at the fuel seperator are common due to the gasket or not being tight enough or cross threaded. Next... do you have an in line fuel filter on the system other than the Fuel Separator? If so, that would be your problem.

 

[etemplet]

No need to pull the sending unit unless you think you have a plug. Yes they are a pain but they do come out. LOL Don't take it out unless you have to. I was suggesting that if you had not cleaned the fuel tank. Leave that puppy alone.

 

[B.noble1228]

Good Job !! Pull a vacuum on the fuel system from the carbs to the baffle Clamp off the fuel lines just before the baffle. If you do one at a time, "reserve", then "on" you can verify no leaks and the function of the fuel valve. Air leaks at the fuel seperator are common due to the gasket or not being tight enough or cross threaded. Next... do you have an in line fuel filter on the system other than the Fuel Separator? If so, that would be your problem.

I don’t have a fuel filter but just the fuel separator at the front of the unit, I don’t know a lot about them so just clarifying that the baffle is where it picks up the gas from the tank?

 

[B.noble1228]

No need to pull the sending unit unless you think you have a plug. Yes they are a pain but they do come out. LOL Don't take it out unless you have to. I was suggesting that if you had not cleaned the fuel tank. Leave that puppy alone.

I had to pull the sending unit as the magnet dropped out of the bottom and it didn’t work so I pulled it out and put it back together and tested before I put back in, how ever I must have missed something as it still isn’t working

 

[etemplet]

So you got varied readings while testing with the ohm meter. did you see if the float... floated? If you got good readings then the gauge might be the problem. I'm having a problem with one as well. I tested the readings but I'm not seeing it on the info gauge.

 

[B.noble1228]

So you got varied readings while testing with the ohm meter. did you see if the float... floated? If you got good readings then the gauge might be the problem. I'm having a problem with one as well. I tested the readings but I'm not seeing it on the info gauge.

I thought that checking to see if it floated was a good idea butthe guy I was working with said that it should float no problem so we didn’t end up checking that, the ohm readings definitely varied when the float changed its location in the tube

 

[Legacy37]

I don’t have a fuel filter but just the fuel separator at the front of the unit, I don’t know a lot about them so just clarifying that the baffle is where it picks up the gas from the tank?

The o ring in the separator can cause your exact issue

 

[etemplet]

I learned the hard way to check every one to see if the float. You're making me wonder if I checked the one I have that isn't working. I have a stock of baffles so when in doubt I just connect one directly to test the gauge.

 

[etemplet]

I don’t have a fuel filter but just the fuel separator at the front of the unit, I don’t know a lot about them so just clarifying that the baffle is where it picks up the gas from the tank?

Yes the baffle is the plastic unit that slides into the fuel tank and the hoses connect to the top. I dunno how it gets the name baffle.

 

[B.noble1228]

The o ring in the separator can cause your exact issue

Maybe it’d be best if I try to find a new one then, I tried to start it on the trailer today and I couldn’t even get it to stay running

 

[B.noble1228]

I learned the hard way to check every one to see if the float. You're making me wonder if I checked the one I have that isn't working. I have a stock of baffles so when in doubt I just connect one directly to test the gauge.

Your lucky you have a bunch of them I’m kicking myself and really wish I checked to see if it floated before I put it all back together, I’m guessing they have problems of not staying afloat

 

[etemplet]

LOL. I had one on a GTI. I checked the baffle took readings they were smooth. Before I installed the baffle I connected outside the tank. Rocked the baffle and watch the fuel gauge move with it. I put that son of a gun in the fuel tank and the gauge was dead on empty. I pulled the baffle and removed the float, dropped it in a container of fuel.... that bitch sunk like a rock. LOL Now... I check.

 

[B.noble1228]

LOL. I had one on a GTI. I checked the baffle took readings they were smooth. Before I installed the baffle I connected outside the tank. Rocked the baffle and watch the fuel gauge move with it. I put that son of a gun in the fuel tank and the gauge was dead on empty. I pulled the baffle and removed the float, dropped it in a container of fuel.... that bitch sunk like a rock. LOL Now... I check.

That sucks I’m thinking that’s what’s wrong with mine

also have an update, today I went to start it and it wouldn’t even run for longer then a second would just turn over and fire and instantly shut down like it was misfiring, I changed the spark plugs and it would run but wouldn’t stay idling, I had to keep giving it throttle to keep it running, rpms were around 1500-2000 when I wasn’t giving it throttle (this was all on the trailer)

 

[etemplet]

Buy a spark testor for $5 from Auto Zone. You'll easily see the fire and you can leave it on there while you troubleshoot. Sounds like a fuel issue. Make sure you have cooling water flowing if you are running the engine more than a few seconds. I also give a lil spray of lube on the water seal.

You'll find the ski acts much differently in the water. Good Luck.