97 spx

[JCS55]

My ski is running sluggish on take off to mid range then seems to clear out and runs normal until I slow down and get back on the gas, then the whole process starts over. Mag side plug is nice and tan, PTO side is dark and carboned up. Tried different, used, plugs, trimmed plug wires back. Last August put new gas lines on and rebuilt the carbs, with genuine parts, before first ride this year replaced fuel selector. The ski has run awesome until now, pulling crisp and hard through the whole power band. I don't know if this is related or not, but on the exhaust right above the magneto there is a tiny hole where water was weeping out. Any/all help is appreciated! Thanks guys!

 

[Coreyacr]

My ski is running sluggish on take off to mid range then seems to clear out and runs normal until I slow down and get back on the gas, then the whole process starts over. Mag side plug is nice and tan, PTO side is dark and carboned up. Tried different, used, plugs, trimmed plug wires back. Last August put new gas lines on and rebuilt the carbs, with genuine parts, before first ride this year replaced fuel selector. The ski has run awesome until now, pulling crisp and hard through the whole power band. I don't know if this is related or not, but on the exhaust right above the magneto there is a tiny hole where water was weeping out. Any/all help is appreciated! Thanks guys!

You need to make sure your high-speed needles are just sir to factory spec and yes the whole n the pipe has to be fixed

 

[Ckrawiec]

You need to make sure your high-speed needles are just sir to factory spec and yes the whole n the pipe has to be fixed

1997 SPX - High Speed CARB needles are CLOSED. Low Speed needles are 1 turn out +/- 1/4 turn.

You may need to take another look into those carbs....rebuilt last August doesn't guarantee that they are still dialed in just right....yet. I assume you did the entire rebuild procedure...checking pop-off pressure and pressure testing the carbs, etc....these carbs are very finicky and no shortcuts allowed..... Did you follow the Carb Rebuild sticky post (top of the forum) to the letter?

 

[mikidymac]

Never reuse plugs. Spend the $5 and get new ones. Sounds like your PTO carb is running rich.

 

[JCS55]

1997 SPX - High Speed CARB needles are CLOSED. Low Speed needles are 1 turn out +/- 1/4 turn.

You may need to take another look into those carbs....rebuilt last August doesn't guarantee that they are still dialed in just right....yet. I assume you did the entire rebuild procedure...checking pop-off pressure and pressure testing the carbs, etc....these carbs are very finicky and no shortcuts allowed..... Did you follow the Carb Rebuild sticky post (top of the forum) to the letter?

Thanks, I did follow the post to the letter. Will be looking into those adjustments...

 

[Major Woody]

The pipe leak is unrelated. Slop some JB Weld over the hole for this season if you want, and have the cap on the pipe welded over the winter. The cap is just a disc of aluminum, TIG welded in place. Grind the old one away and then you'll only have to pay the welder to do welding. It's a 10 minute job.

 

[JCS55]

The pipe leak is unrelated. Slop some JB Weld over the hole for this season if you want, and have the cap on the pipe welded over the winter. The cap is just a disc of aluminum, TIG welded in place. Grind the old one away and then you'll only have to pay the welder to do welding. It's a 10 minute job.

The JB is doing the trick, gotta love that stuff. I found some notes from the carb rebuild, set PTO carb at 3/4 turn out, put some new plugs in and am back in business, thanks for all the input guys! God bless