98 GTX no power off idle

[T-Roy]

Hello all:

newbie post

I have a 98 GTX 947 that has a problem taking off from an idle. If you "pop" the choke, it will run just fine until it has to come off idle again. I've checked the fuel filter, lines and cleaned the guillotines on the RAVE valve. The carbs were supposedly rebuilt two years ago, but I don't know that for certain.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Bills86e]

replace the *plugs

LTD
This An indication that your pop-off needs to be adjusted as a lean hesitation when you open the throttle from idle; in the extreme, the engine may even die. It is much easier to detect a lean pop-off than it is a rich one, so it is wise to adjust your pop-off until you get it too lean and then back up until the lean hesitation disappears. Look at the plugs and see if the color is the same.
Bills86e

 

[Dr Honda]

It could be a pop-off issue... But...

1) Does it idle well without the choke?

2) Does it run at full throttle or high throttle (above half) without the choke?


If you answer yes to both... chances are either your accelerator pump isn't working, or the ports in the pilot circuit are plugged.

Either way... the carbs need to come off, and they need to be cleaned.

I know you said they were rebuilt 2 years ago... but in reality, if they sit for 4 or more months, and they have bad fuel sitting in them... they may need to be cleaned. Any time the ski is going to sit for more than a few weeks, you should add marine "Stay-Bil" to the fuel to help displace water, and keep varnish (gum) from forming.

Pop the carbs apart, give them a good cleaning, check the pop-off, and you will be fine. :cheers:

 

[T-Roy]

Thanks for the tips, I figured it would be something along that line. I always Sta-bil my motors, but can't say that for sure about the PO. Regardless, looks like it's time to turn some wrenches....

 

[Wire4Money]

I chased this for weeks on my 98 GTXL. It would bog real bad, then take off. The accelerator pump was plugged on the pto carb.

 

[T-Roy]

Ok, the accel pump seems to be working. I can hear it squirt fuel when I press the lever, so it's probably a plugged circuit in one or both carbs. The problem now, is that I can't figure out how to get the fourth bolt out of the exhaust. I consider myself a fairly mechanically inclined fellow, but for the life of me can't figure how to get to it short of pulling the motor.

What's the trick?

 

[seadooya]

Ok, the accel pump seems to be working. I can hear it squirt fuel when I press the lever, so it's probably a plugged circuit in one or both carbs. The problem now, is that I can't figure out how to get the fourth bolt out of the exhaust. I consider myself a fairly mechanically inclined fellow, but for the life of me can't figure how to get to it short of pulling the motor.

What's the trick?

STOP!!!...no need to pull the pipe, to get to the carbs. At top of pipe, you'll feel a metal tab, pop it/pull toward you, to relieve the huge airbox, then remove the 2-air ducts, then snorkel out the lid. Now you can get to carbs...

 

[T-Roy]

Good! I was really scratching my head on
that one. I have the air log off, and can see the top bolt, and can feel the bottom. Thanks!

 

[seadooya]

anytime...you'll have to twist the carbs around a few times to get to the inlet fuel line for removal, along with the throttle/oil injection cables.:cheers:

 

[T-Roy]

Carbs are off, thanks again for the advice. Accelerator pump Is fine, but found one of the ports clogged (PTO side) at the brass elbow. Depress the accel pump and fuel only squirted into one barrel. Got it flowing again but will prob replace it just to be safe. Prob replace the fuel lines as well.

Any recommendations on what fuel line (brand) use?

 

[MC87SS]

Most of us have used the regular automotive rubber fuel line.
I found NAPA had the best price.
I needed 25' of 1/4" for my 95 GTX, i would imagine yours would be about the same.
Make sure you clean your fuel selector out real good while your in there.

 

[seadooya]

Carbs are off, thanks again for the advice. Accelerator pump Is fine, but found one of the ports clogged (PTO side) at the brass elbow. Depress the accel pump and fuel only squirted into one barrel. Got it flowing again but will prob replace it just to be safe. Prob replace the fuel lines as well.

Any recommendations on what fuel line (brand) use?

All you need to replace is the inlet fuel line and the ones off the fuel selector, so about 15ft of 5/16in and 5ft of 1/4in, at autozone/kragen...etc. Dont need to replace the "vent" line and "return" line.

 

[Chester]

...Dont need to replace the "vent" line and "return" line.

I disagree. The return lines should get replaced also as they deteriorate too and you will still have that crud going through the fuel system.

Chester

 

[seadooya]

I disagree. The return lines should get replaced also as they deteriorate too and you will still have that crud going through the fuel system.

Chester

The ones off the carbs yes, but after the "Y" fitting...?, just preference...:cheers:

 

[T-Roy]

Veni, vidi, vici.... I came, I saw, I conquered.

It's back together, both accel ports are squirting and it seems to be running like a top. Of course the real test will be in the water. Thanks for all the help fellows!:cheers:

 

[Chester]

The ones off the carbs yes, but after the "Y" fitting...?, just preference...:cheers:

Oh yes. After the Y fitting too. Any gray hose that fuel continually flows through will go bad.

Chester