97 xp surging at full throttle??

[billybob250r]

I have a 97 xp with a almost new crate engine. Bought the ski used about a year ago, has ran absolutely perfect. Last trip to the lake while running full throttle it starts surging, almost like it is starving for fuel. It idles perfect, jumps right out of the hole but when it gets planed out good it starts to surge a little. I cleaned the fuel filter/screen and found a little sediment present. Installed new plugs and made a run up the lake and it seemed to have helped a little but on the way back down it started to do it again. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[6KJR]

Grey fuel lines? When was the last time a carb kit was done?

 

[billybob250r]

It does have the grey fuel lines. As far as the carbs go, I dont know if they been rebuilt or not. The engine was installed by a local dealership. Im thinking maybe a little bit of that sediment that was in the filter/screen may have gotten by to the high side jet/jets. Im just not real familar with these motors. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dr Honda]

well.... there's your problem. Change the Tempo fuel lines, and clean the carbs.

 

[billybob250r]

Thank you for responding. Can you explain the problem with the grey fuel lines? I'm kinda new to the seadoo world. Thanks again.

 

[Dr Honda]

The "Tempo" fuel lines were used by most watercraft manufactures because the USCG made them go to an approved marine hose. To stay in compliance, they changed. The problem is... the rubber used isn't' 100% stable with the "oxygenating" additives used in automotive fuel now. What happens is... the inside of the hose will decay, and turn into green goo. That goo will start to flow, and find it's way into the carb. When that happens... your carbs get plugged up, and the ski stops running.

You surging is most likely a fuel starvation issue because the internal filters are plugged.

The cure is to change all of your hoses to 1/4" black rubber automotive fuel line. (buy about 25' at your local auto parts store) and you will need about a dozen stainless hose clamps, and then clean the carbs.

FYI... I just did it on Saturday, to a Polaris project I started.

Back to the USCG crap.

It is my understanding that they changed to the Tempo hoses because they were more fire retardant than a regular black rubber hose. But... last time I checked... there was a large Polyethylene fuel tank about 3 inches from the engine that will melt, and ignite WAY FASTER than any rubber hose.

 

[billybob250r]

Thank you for the good info. I was wondering if the carb filter can be accessed without removing the carbs. Or totally disassembling them. Your info is very helpful. Thanks for your time.

 

[gsxgtxman]

U need to pull the carbs and clean the crap out of them! The goo gets in the jets etc! It's good practice, and you shouldn't have any issues! The fuel selector valve has been a problem too! I've just completed an entire fuel system overhaul!

 

[billybob250r]

Well guys thanks for the input. I'm going after the carbs and will replace fuel lines as i go. Are there any little does or donts that the service manual might not cover that I should look out for or is it pretty straight forward?? Thanks again guys I'll let you know how it turns out. Suppose to be a hot one this weekend so I need to get moving, hopefully I'll get to go run it!!

 

[gsxgtxman]

Replace one line at a time! Routing of the lines ius crucial to the performance of the system!

Inspect the diaphrams for holes or tears! There should be no need to rebuild the carbs just clean thoroughly! Make sure u clean the filters inside the carbs!

All in all you could start, finish and be back on the water the next day! Good luck! We're here if u run into a snag!

 

[Dr Honda]

It's straight forward. Do them one at a time. The only thing is... it takes time. I would allow 3~4 hours of easy work to change the lines, and clean the carbs.

 

[billybob250r]

Thanks guys!! I'm all over it!! Looking forward to testing this weekend. Hopefully wont have any snags... I do appreciate all the input!! I will let you know the outcome. Off to the basement!!

 

[gsxgtxman]

Please post if we were able to help you fix your ski! We all like to hear success stories!

 

[seadooya]

need to get 15ft of 5/16in fuel line and 5ft of 1/4in. To access the fuel baffle, need to undo the black plate under the seat, then remove the top bolt, securing the shock to seat, then the seat will lift up/outta the way.

 

[billybob250r]

Just wanted to let you know yalls info was dead on...the filters in the carbs were packed with green goop. One filter was probably 60% clogged and the other was about 90%. I dont know why it ran as good as it has last summer and 4 trips to the lake this summer. Got one more dumb question...are the little lines on the carbs made out of the same stuff?? I didnt change those yet, wanted to ask first. Have not finished installing the carbs yet, but I feel real good about the fix. I think I can smell the lake now!! Thanks again for the help!! Should be able to finish it up tomorrow and hopefully get to test on Friday.

 

[gsxgtxman]

Same stuff! Get rid of them!

 

[seadooya]

the excellerator pump lines? I never had issues with them. Got check valves within them.

 

[gsxgtxman]

I need to start reading the "all" of the post. Yeah the accell pump lines you can leave alone. Thanks DooYa. Bailing me out again:cheers:

 

[seadooya]

I need to start reading the "all" of the post. Yeah the accell pump lines you can leave alone. Thanks DooYa. Bailing me out again:cheers:

Springs' in da mail....(yesterday) :hurray:

 

[gsxgtxman]

Muchass Graciass!:cheers:

 

[seadooya]

Granada.......:hat:

 

[billybob250r]

Alright guys, it is Saturday night after a beautiful day at the lake with the family. After cleaning the carbs, replacing the fuel lines, and adjusting the linkage and cables, this mother runs like a top. Upon checking the linkage I found that I was only getting about half to 3/4 throttle. I don't know if someone set it this way on purpose to break the motor in or if the cable may have stretched.(wouldn't think that much though) But I set it to get all the goody out of the carbs. After installing everything Thursday and running it in the driveway with the hose hooked up I found that the exhaust manifold to pipe gasket was leaking. And of course no one had one in stock on Friday, but they would be glad to order one for me! So I took it apart and used some good ole RTV sealant on it. Problem solved!! Will get a new gasket though, just had to get to the lake on Saturday for the test session!! What a difference clean carbs and properly adjusted cables make. Just wanted to say thanks for all the advice-yall were dead on. Can't wait to get back to the lake again!! THANK YOU!!!