97 xp dead in water

[jeremy5648]

I bought a pair of 97 xp's last summer one of which came with the top end in a box. I was told the engine had just been rebuilt by a dealer and a gasket went out the first time he took it out. I put a new gasket kit on it an put it back together, runs great most of the time. Twice last year then last weekend it runs good for a few hours then just dies, no sputtering no loss of power just dies. It will turn over an try to start but just won't. After it sits for a day or two it will fire right up an run good in the water, sometimes all day sometimes not. I'm stumped and thankyou in advance for your help

 

[Bills86e]

Water in rear box. Is ignition sparking?

 

[jeremy5648]

Theres no water in the box, yes it's firing and getting fuel. Just came in from working on it, still wouldn't start. This was saturday when it died, in the past it's started right up the next day after it dies. Is it possible the timing could have gotton off? Starter turning engine fast and it sounds like it wants to start just won't do it.

 

[Bills86e]

Are the plugs wet?

 

[jeremy5648]

I appologize for the long delay, had a gruelling week an a half of 15 hour days at work. plugs are dry. It started up today so i took it to the lake, unloaded it ran for 5 minutes and beached it for an hour or so then it wouldnt start. loaded up brought it home charged the battery back up and it started right up. guess it just wants to run when it wants to

 

[rhino_160]

may sound too easy to be true but mine did this 2 seasons ago and it was the inline fuel filter.... it would run and run then just die. i had 3 people say "change the filter" but i thought there was no way it would just cut out and die with no sputter if it was the filter. sure enough, it was....try that...maybe maybe

 

[daverade]

yo yo yo.....have you done the oh so dreaded fuel system swap????? if not i would snap to... new lines, selector, filter, and a good ole carb clean... i dunno much but i did mine... and a WERLD of difference!!! good luck

 

[jeremy5648]

Thanks for the ideas i'll try them this weekend and let you know