1998 Speedster Hard to Start & Stalls when Idle

[Scrapy]

I just purchased a 1998 Speedster. When starting the engine cold, it's really hard to start them; specifically the right one being harder to start than the other. Once you get them going, they run great when your going at any speed above idle. Once you bring them down to idle they frequently stall. I just took them into a local guy that rebuilt the carbs but that didn't solve the problem. He also was told that it might be a problem with a plate that sits behind the engine or a gear gone bad but when he checked that, that wasn't the problem either. I also had a compression test done on both engines and that checked out ok. Also had fuel filter replaced and spark plugs were replaced last year by the previous owner. Oh, and had the RAVE valves removed, cleaned and replaced o-rings. Any ideas?

 

[cgodfrey6]

Feel your pain

I also have a 98 speedster that I pruchased in 2007. It is a blast BUT, a royal pain in the ass to start.

I have tried many things being somewhat handy but nothing really helped.

Then last year I watched the Sea-Doo dealer start it with the following procedure:

( Started on trailer before launching for about 5-10 secs)

1) When in the water, held the start down for 3 count then started playing the choke in and out slowly holding it open for a few seconds.
2) After the engine turned over, held the choke half-way for a couple of seconds.
3) Gave about an inch of throttle after running a few seconds

This has worked for me ever since but the engines fail to start and it usually takes me 4 or 5 attempts per engine.

I have to REALLY watch the choke or I notice I flood it.

Good luck.