96 xp runs weak

[Brendann99]

So i got this 96 seadoo xp. it was runnin good last week when i let a friend take it out and he was hot doggin it a bit. When he came back to the dock the battery light was on and there was smoke comin outta the stator housing. So I paid someone to replace the stator. It's workin good, no battery light anymore. no smoke.

the problem is i am lacking power. It will eventualy get up to between 55 and 60 like it used to but it's taking way longer than it used to. It's just got no get up and go. i was diggin around and noticed that one of the springs that goes around the rave valve diaphragm was missing and there was junk leaking outta there so i replaced that and it made no change. Replaced the spark plugs and no change.

The problem seems to get a little worse the longer the jetski runs. I have a friend who works on outboards comin to the lake tomorrow, he's gonna take a look at it, check compression and all that. Just wondering if you guys have anything else I can take a look at or any suggestions?

 

[gsxgtxman]

When's the last time the RAVE valves were cleaned?

 

[gsxgtxman]

Good place to start. Is it missing or anything going on with it?

 

[Brendann99]

Well I just bought it a little over a month ago. So as far as I know...well i have no idea. I'm completely new to jetskis and 2 strokes....

What part do you clean the blade that goes down into the engine or the plastic/rubber pieces on top? And what do you suggest cleaning them with? Seems like they'd be real easy to take out and clean up, I can definitely do that.

 

[Brendann99]

And it doesn't seem to be missing. It runs real smooth actually. Just takes forever to get up to speed...once it hits like 40-45 sometimes it feels like there's a surge and it will speed right up to 55.

sometimes there's no surge especially after running it a bit, and it will just hang at that speed or slowly build up to 50 or so.

 

[Brendann99]

I haven't cleaned the raves yet. But I did pull the spark plug wires outta the boots and cut .25" off and that actually did seem to help. But it still lacks some low end power and still hangs around 40-45mph and then after a bit seems to open up and hit 55....

 

[gsxgtxman]

The RAVES are what you're reffering to as the "blade". Spray them down with brake cleaner and I believe yours has the o-rings on the RAVE shaft. You should replace those as well. Also clean the Bellows "rubber thingys" And be careful when removing the Black cap. There's a spring on the inside and will go Flyin if you're not careful.

Just a question, does it still have the grey fuel lines? Those tend to be a problem. I'm in the process of changing all of mine out with black hose.

 

[scooper77515]

I use a wire-wheel on a die grinder to clean my rave valves. Not too hard, but hard enough to knock off any carbon buildup.

When you put it all back together, the blade should move up and down freely with no catching or sticking. It is actuated by vacuum, so you don't want it getting stuck halfway up. Or it will run like you describe.

This should be done at least yearly, more if you notice lagging in your takeoff.

That XP should leave the water and get airborne when you nail it and get to top speed (55-ish) in just a couple to 4 seconds.