96 SPX stalls on acceleration, running lean

[k_dog345]

Hey guys,

After letting my ski sit for a bit too long, I took it out and made the risky decision to run on old gas for a few mins (there was no paint thinner smell in the fuel and it was ethanol free). Realized I had low power, and the ski was dying at low rpms. I decided to drain the tank, replace with fresh fuel. BUT, the ski still sometimes runs rough at lower throttle (not idle, just above it) and will often stall on acceleration. Restarting requires choke and gas, it will fire and take off just fine if you can get past the roughness without stalling. It will also run fine at high speed, and if it doesn't stall decelerating it will idle fine as well. I pulled the plugs and noticed I was running hot.

I figure a carb rebuild is needed, but I wanted to verify. If I do need to do a carb rebuild, would it be a good idea to just go ahead and replace needle and seat? If I go that route, do I still need to buy a $55 pop off gauge or would I be safe to assume I'd be OK without checking it? I also plan to replace fuel filter, but my fuel lines did look just fine (they're probably three years old).

Hopefully all I'm needing is a carb rebuild, input is appreciated!

 

[mikidymac]

Yes you need a full carb rebuild and needles and seats with only genuine Mikuni parts. Also should do the fuel selector, strainer and replace any gray fuel lines.

You can’t verify carbs are correct without the pop off tester.

 

[k_dog345]

Yes you fuelneed a full carb rebuild and needles and seats with only genuine Mikuni parts. Also should do the fuel selector, strainer and replace any gray fuel lines.

You can’t verify carbs are correct without the pop off tester.

Thanks for the quick response! Mind pointing me to the part numbers for the fuel selector, and strainer? I have a 1996 seadoo SPX. Already have the pop off tester, Mikuni carb rebuild, needle, and seat in my cart I've also already done the deed of replacing all my grey lines.

 

[Novitec]

Where are you getting your parts from?

My '96 XP runs very similar as yours except it runs good on 3/4 throttle for about 3-4 seconds then it starts decelerating. It's consistent from that aspect, but also shuts off at idle intermittently. It seems like its starving fuel.

Could it be a fuel issues instead of needing a carb rebuild?

 

[k_dog345]

Where are you getting your parts from?

My '96 XP runs very similar as yours except it runs good on 3/4 throttle for about 3-4 seconds then it starts decelerating. It's consistent from that aspect, but also shuts off at idle intermittently. It seems like its starving fuel.

Could it be a fuel issues instead of needing a carb rebuild?

I'm getting mine from Amazon, they carry all the Mikuni parts as well.

 

[mikidymac]

OSD is one stop shopping.
You can look up the OEM part numbers for the selector and strainer at the upper right of this screen Seadoo Warehouse.

 

[k_dog345]

OSD is one stop shopping.
You can look up the OEM part numbers for the selector and strainer at the upper right of this screen Seadoo Warehouse.

Thanks, I just wanted to be sure I got the right parts. I'm not sure exactly what you mean by 'selector' and 'strainer'. Are you meaning a 'fuel valve switch' when referring to the selector? And by 'strainer', are you meaning the little fuel filters inside of the two carbs?

 

[mikidymac]

The selector is the ON, OFF, Reserve valve and don't buy the cheap ones.
The strainer is the big white filter mounted above the gas tank.

 

[Ckrawiec]

Where are you getting your parts from?

My '96 XP runs very similar as yours except it runs good on 3/4 throttle for about 3-4 seconds then it starts decelerating. It's consistent from that aspect, but also shuts off at idle intermittently. It seems like its starving fuel.

Could it be a fuel issues instead of needing a carb rebuild?

FUEL gets to the engine THROUGH the carb(s)....so you can't say "could it be a fuel issue" without involving the CARB(S)...unless you have lousy fuel (like OLD stale fuel or water fouled, etc....).

BTW....the older skis....its usually always the carb(s).....REBUILD them right.