97 GTX Tops Out Around 5000 RPM

[hioctane]

Went out to the lake today for the first time this season and for the first time ever my GTX has a problem. We bought it new in 97 and as of today it has about 91hrs on it and we've never had a single problem with it.

The problem... It ran perfectly for the first hour or so of riding then we stopped for a lunch break. After lunch it started right up and we putted through a no wake zone. At the end of the no wake zone I hit the gas and it went to about 5000rpm and stalled like it was out of gas. I backed off and tried again with the same result. It never did die and at idle it seems fine. It just simply will not go above 5000 rpm (4850 to be exact). From take off it seems fine as well... no delay, etc. until it hits the magic number. I should also mention it runs perfectly out of the water.

I just did the before season checks/service a couple of weeks ago... plugs, jet pump oil, etc, etc.

I've read through some of the related posts and the only thing I'm sure about is the RAVE valves are clean (and new bellows, gaskets etc as of last year).

My intent is to try the basics myself but if it gets too involved (needing special tools, etc) it'll be heading to a shop.

So, what are some of the basic steps a do-it-your-selfer could try?

Thanks!

Scott

 

[seadoo GTS 1993]

Have u ever cleaned the carb? Or fuel selecter? Does it still have the grey fuel lines? If so, replace them, they gum up the carb

 

[JJinSC]

Check under the RAVE covers anyways. Sometimes the bellows just come off the piston skirt. I replaced all the parts in mine last year, but noticed a little oil had been spraying out of one of mine. I looked under and one of the bellows had come off of the skirt.

 

[hioctane]

Have u ever cleaned the carb? Or fuel selecter? Does it still have the grey fuel lines? If so, replace them, they gum up the carb

It does still have the gray fuel lines and I have not cleaned the carbs or fuel selector. Cleaning the carbs and replacing the fuel lines sounds like a bit more than I'd like to try at this point.

Scott

 

[salmonkiller01]

If the fuel line replacement, carb cleaning does not work, the rectifier may be faulty. I have read about others not being able to get over 5000 rpm, and that was the problem. But first go thru your fuel system, cause that needs to be done regardless.

 

[cdnbikerdude]

Change the fuel lines and carb filters before you doing anything else.


Your wasting your time and money doing something else first.

 

[salmonkiller01]

it not that big of a job, if you have some basic hand tools and a manual most people can do the job. If you pull the carbs off and just take the one end with the filters off each carb, you shouldn't have to mess with the pop off settings. Do search and some reading on this site and you will feel more comfortable. I beleive "seadoo snipe" has some great articles about these carbs and is worth reading.

 

[mrdcb18]

Check the clamps on the exhaust

Mine had the same problem and it's easy to do just tighten all the clamps on the exhaust. It acts just like a clogged fuel filter. My 96 Speedster and 96 GTX both had this and it took awhile to find the problem. My clamps looked ok but all I did was tighten the clamps and they ran fine.

 

[hioctane]

Does this sound like a resonable approach?

1 - check RAVE valves
2 - check pulse line
3 - check rectifier
4 - Test ride:
- try fuel selector on reserve
- remove red wire on rectifier

If it's still hosed...

5 - clean fuel selector
6 - Replace gray fuel lines & clean/replace filter inside carburetors


I intend on doing 5 and 6 but for now I'm focused on eliminating the super simple stuff first.

 

[hioctane]

it not that big of a job, if you have some basic hand tools and a manual most people can do the job. If you pull the carbs off and just take the one end with the filters off each carb, you shouldn't have to mess with the pop off settings. Do search and some reading on this site and you will feel more comfortable. I beleive "seadoo snipe" has some great articles about these carbs and is worth reading.

With the flame assestor off looking down at the carbs like so...
<PTO> <MAG>

Which side of the carbs are the little filters in?

Thanks!

-Scott

 

[timmyboy76]

With the flame assestor off looking down at the carbs like so...
<PTO> <MAG>

Which side of the carbs are the little filters in?

Thanks!

-Scott

Both carbs will have them...

 

[hioctane]

Both carbs will have them...

Right... but which side are they on? Looking at the carbs are they on the left or right?

-Scott

 

[timmyboy76]

Right... but which side are they on? Looking at the carbs are they on the left or right?

-Scott

the sides that have the gas inlet fitting.