787 only starts and runs when fuel poured into the carbs

[Chr1sfrench]

Hey guys. I have a 96 seadoo xp 787. Completely stock. Now here's my issue. I have the air box off and I can crank the motor over all day long and it won't start unless I squirt some fuel into the carbs. Then it fires up right away and runs great. Sound like a fuel pump issue but then again I don't know because once it starts with my putting fuel into the carbs it runs great and pulls its own fuel into the carbs. Any ideas would be great. Love this forum. Thanks in advance.

 

[mikidymac]

Sounds like you are getting air into the system and loosing prime. The two most common places are the o-ring in the fuel seperator/filter and the ON/OFF valve.

 

[Chr1sfrench]

Ok this machine still has the grey lines on it so when I replace those I'll check both of those.

 

[Chr1sfrench]

So I took another set of carbs off another 96 xp hat I have that I know work good and the machine starts up on its own. No need to put fuel directly into the cabs to get it started. So it obviously has something to do with the original carbs. Ideas?

 

[1of500]

Rebuild the carbs. Low speed circuit are probably gummed up.

 

[mikidymac]

Don't think of running it with the old fuel lines, selector and strainer even with the other carbs.

You have to service the entire fuel system and carbs with the correct parts first or you will destroy that engine.

 

[RodInEscondido]

Fuel pump itself or pulse line are also possibilities.

 

[pwgsx]

replace fuel lines, fuel selector and o ring on fuel filter and rebuild the carbs. This will fix your problem.

 

[Chr1sfrench]

Found the fix. Pulse line was no good. I plan on replacing all the fuel lines anyways but I went to a local place and they told me that I could get a ticket if I didn't use oem marine grade fuel line from the factory. Is this true? I heard most people just use auto part store fuel line.

 

[pwgsx]

Unless Michigan has some kind of crazy checks or inspection, noone will ever look inside a jet ski here in TX. I use auto fuel line with bio shield to protect from the ethanol. Dont forget to change out those 2 small oil lines from the pump to carbs. By now they are on borrowed time.

 

[RodInEscondido]

Found the fix. Pulse line was no good. I plan on replacing all the fuel lines anyways but I went to a local place and they told me that I could get a ticket if I didn't use oem marine grade fuel line from the factory. Is this true? I heard most people just use auto part store fuel line.

Yes, most use auto store fuel line.

Here is sticker that appears on back of several skis I own. Just checked to insure it appears on 91 SP, 94 GTS, 98 GTS, 2000 Gts

 

[Chr1sfrench]

I already replaced the oil pump lines. I do that to every machine I have. I'm getting pretty good with these seadoos now. I've had 6 or 7 in the past year lol

 

[mikidymac]

Nice fleet.

 

[cholber1]

They will never ever check it. I run automotive fuel line. I've never had anyone want to look at it. I live in michigan also.

 

[mikidymac]

Well, seeing how the Coast Guard exempted the fuel system on these I am not sure why Michigan would be different.
My 2001 and newer skis have standard black fuel hose from the factory. It might say marine on it somewhere but you would have to do a very careful inspection of everything printed on it. For anyone looking under the hood for a typical inspection it looks like typical black auto hose.

 

[racerxxx]

Just lift the seat for the guy to inspect it. Then while his head is under there let the seat slip. When it smacks the back of his head his inspection will be over.