'98 GSX LTD.....GRAY fuel line question (and RPM question).

[flattracker60]

I have a 98 GSX LTD with 55 hours on it. It has the stock (gray) fuel lines on it.

Has there EVER been one of these that run well/perfect WITH the gray fuel lines?

Or, am I playing with fire with running the gray lines?

Thanks guys,

PS......boat runs perfect.

On a side note, what is the proper RPMS this 951 should run at wot cruising down the river?

 

[bigJake]

well it might run perfect right up until you melt a piston. Don't risk it for 2 hours of work. mine started having bogging issues at about 80 hours. But I wouldnt use that as any kind of barometer to say you are safe for another 30 hours

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I Agree with Jake...
change them NOW and also clean the carb filters.

 

[bigJake]

I Agree with Jake...
change them NOW and also clean the carb filters.

no big fatty?

 

[Seadoobuddy]

OK, make sure you add an in-line fuel filter too. The big fatty style like in Doc's thread.....
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?33749-How-To-Adding-an-in-line-filter

 

[bigJake]

OK, make sure you add an in-line fuel filter too. The big fatty style like in Doc's thread.....
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?33749-How-To-Adding-an-in-line-filter

I just like when you say Big Fatty :blush:

 

[JCzGTX]

+1 to the rest of the comments. My '97 had 189 hours and 15 years on it before the fuel lines finally went bad. I much rather would have swapped the lines prior to an issue and not had to pull the carbs apart.

Like a motorcycle crash, it's not IF it's WHEN.

 

[andrewterri]

Everyone is right I would not take a chance. My 96 GSX plugged up and left me stranded. I replaced with clear fuel line and a clear inline filter so I can see if the fuel is reaching the carbs. Helps eliminate any questions of fuel delivery.

 

[kicker]

Take the selector switch out and replace or take apart and clean it out too. Also at bare minimum clean the small filters in your carbs, but it probably be a good idea to pull apart and clean them, especially if the filters are dirty/plugged

The Rev limiter is set to 7200 RPM you should be hitting about 6800-6900 rpm at WOT

 

[LouDoo]

I wouldn't use clear fuel line, black automotive fuel line will hold up better, and last a lot longer, and is cheaper. Clear fuel line will not pass a USCG inspection.

Lou

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

the 951 will hold 7k WOT IN the water, when running correctly.

As for the fuel lines. Replace them.

The fact is that ethanol eats the lines, turning them into a green/grey mush that will clog the fuel selector, filter, and carb filters, leaning out your engine and running it hot until it gives up. Usually when you are 10+ miles down river of the launch.

Find some time and replace the lines. It's not that hard. 20' of 5/16" and 5' of 1/4" for the fuel line return.

You will need to pull the carbs and get some screw clamps to do the ones between the carbs.

I just did this to a 2000 GTX; and the fuel filter under the hood was so cloggged I just tossed it.

The fuel selector switch was caked with white goo. I cleaned it out w/a screwdriver and carb cleaner.

The carb filters were 90% full of black gunk.

I feel a lot has to do with how often the ski is used. The more often, the better. However this is a summer sport, so if the fuel sits in the lines / tank for a long time, the more damage it does.

I've seen grey line skis run fine, and some not even start!

Change them before you lose an engine.

The thrust is exponential based on the RPMs. Losing even 500 RPM on the top end kills the performance. All of my machines hit and hold 6900-7k. (the one holds 7200, but it's been modified).

 

[mashenden]

Regarding cleaning the fuel selector, definitely a good idea but one word of caution. If yours has the small set screw in the side that can be removed to pull the selector apart, please note that the part that comes out has an o-ring, but more importantly, inside the other piece is a rubber insert. To the untrained eye (mine, for example) it looked like gunk so I went about trying to clean it out, only to ruin the rubber insert instead. Not a huge cost to replace the selector (rubber insert replacement is not available), but with 20/20 hindsight I realized mine was just fine until I messed with it... live and learn.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I have a 98 GSX LTD with 55 hours on it. It has the stock (gray) fuel lines on it.

Has there EVER been one of these that run well/perfect WITH the gray fuel lines?

Or, am I playing with fire with running the gray lines?

Thanks guys,

PS......boat runs perfect.

On a side note, what is the proper RPMS this 951 should run at wot cruising down the river?

responses are spot on, but i'll add one side note:

"WOT Cruising down the river" is not recommended, at least not for extended periods (like a minute), although it should WOT around 7K give or take.

I'd recommend "cruising down the river" between 5K and 6K, maybe 45 mph, not blasting full throttle at 60 all the time. You certainly can do what you wish, but you'll kill it faster and in more spectacular fashion if you make long WOT runs.