99 GSX LTD RAVE Valve Problems

[lvanek]

Ok, so i have a 99 GSX Limited with some stubborn RAVE Valves it seems. My valves are clean i have checked that.


If im riding on flat water....Raves wont open RPM's peak at 5k(30MPH), if i start jumping the ski in some waves, and playing with it, they open and i peak at 7k and full speed ahead(65mph) on dream o meter.

If i go flat after doing some jumping they seem to work good for a while then if i don't do some jumping or bouncing of the ski, im right back to them not opening and RPM's limited....

i have noticed if i stop for few mins take a break, punch the throttle coming out of the holeshot she will rev up but almost like the valves close instantly.

i have spent over $1000 in 2 shops related to this issue, gotten them back both times and the problem still exsist's, starting to get discouraged as i love this ski:ack:

any suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Stubborn....

Ok, so i have a 99 GSX Limited with some stubborn RAVE Valves it seems. My valves are clean i have checked that.


If im riding on flat water....Raves wont open RPM's peak at 5k(30MPH), if i start jumping the ski in some waves, and playing with it, they open and i peak at 7k and full speed ahead(65mph) on dream o meter.

If i go flat after doing some jumping they seem to work good for a while then if i don't do some jumping or bouncing of the ski, im right back to them not opening and RPM's limited....

i have noticed if i stop for few mins take a break, punch the throttle coming out of the holeshot she will rev up but almost like the valves close instantly.

i have spent over $1000 in 2 shops related to this issue, gotten them back both times and the problem still exsist's, starting to get discouraged as i love this ski:ack:

any suggestions greatly appreciated.

That's a nice ski....!

It does sound like you have a problem with the RAVES but I don't think they are sticking.

How do the bellows look inside, under the cap. Do you see any signs of oil coming from around the rubber bellows?

Your RAVEs are actuated by air. I like the ones on the 787, they are operated by spring tension.

On the 951, you have a solenoid that applies pressure under the bellows, allowing them to open. I'd be willing to bet, you have a leak in one of the air lines or the solenoid not working correctly.

 

[lvanek]

Thanks for a quick reply snipe!, You probably dont remember but you helped me last year with this ski, i took it in for repair, $500 later it still didnt run, you explained to me how the RAVES worked and needed cleaned and that did it, ran great until the end of the year then this issue.

When you say oil, do you mean oil on the outside or inside of the bellows?

Also is there a way to test solenoid?

Where does the AIR preasure or vacuum that they work off come from? could it be that?

And i guess where do you recommend to start? replacing all the air lines first?

Thanks in advanced Snipe:cheers:

 

[Chester]

How do you know that they are not opening? Take a ride with the caps off (and no seat) and watch the valves when you go WOT.

Chester

 

[86Redneck]

I'd be willing to bet, you have a leak in one of the air lines or the solenoid not working correctly.

:agree:

I second that, there could be a leak present that as soon as go WOT it opens the valves and as soon as the pressure stabilizes it begins to bleed off till the valves can't stay open any longer.

We get the same problem with our aircraft (I'm a aircraft mechanic in the USAF) bleed air valves not being able to open when there is a bleed air leak in the ducting. I wouldn't start replacing lines just yet, your best bet would be to check the lines to make sure there all connected properly, run it and check to see if you hear or feel a leak coming from them, or anywhere else that air should not be coming from. :cheers:


-Jordan

 

[lvanek]

i came to the conclusion they were not opening from the following.

When she wouldn't run past 5k and 30MPH, i pulled the seat off, disconnected both air lines to the RAVE valves, and absolutely no difference in speed/RPM. Peak RPM and Peak MPH where exactly the same, she would not rev past 5k. i know the 5k - 7k band is only achieved if the valves open.

But what was weird as soon as i went passed the break wall and jumped about a dozen waves, i had my 5k - 7k power band back and 60+MPH


When i came back from out on the open water, she ran for few mins on flat water then started cutting out and dropping power (it would surge from 5-7k) so i started fish tailing it to get some bounce on the ski and it came right back

 

[seadooya]

Where does the AIR preasure or vacuum that they work off come from? could it be that?

:

funny you mentioned that, i just installed a 951 in a 97gsx-ltd, and noticed the solenoid hose from the crancase itself had a rip in it, right where it connects to the fitting. Follow the hose, it runs underneath the pto carb and use a mirror and ALOT of lite to inspect it.

 

[lvanek]

i have not gotten a chance to completely look it over but lines look good so far.

Upon inspection i noticed i have gray fuel lines...didn't think i did....so before Snipe slaps me silly, i decided to pull the carbs and start yanking fuel lines. ive been able to find posts to get most done thanks to Snipe and others. i have to figure out how to get fuel baffle out and remove/clean the fuel selector switch. Then attempt to clean out the cards:ack:as i have never done a carb in my life

Then i am going to inspect the RAVE system and lines.

When i removed the RAVE covers i did notice one was depressed, the other was popped up so not sure why? they have a spring in them? Also they are covered in oil...no burnt carbon build up but definitely oil is this normal?

 

[lvanek]

UPDATE:
Grey fuel lines are almost all gone, as soon as i figure out how to remove the fuel selector switch i can finish the last few up

Carbs Oh the poor poor filters where solid:ack:....the carbs have been cleaned and reinstalled

RAVES One of the RAVE's is missing a spring(one inside bellow), somehow must have lost it last time cleaning it:stupid:, dont know if this is causing the issue but i noticed, dont have one in my kit so going to get on tomorrow. Also no oil outside of the bellows but they where coated on the inside of the bellows. i checked all air lines, they seemed to be ok. Could that spring cause one not to work? i will have to see how they act once the spring is in

BAFFLE No OHM reading, guessing the fuse is blown, dissecting now =)

Let me know what you guys think about progress, and if that spring may be RAVE issue or if you dont think that would be it.

THANKS!!!

 

[lvanek]

put it all back together, i do believe that spring missing was causing that RAVE to not open fully, and after goo and junk i fo und in the carb and fuel selector switch no wonder i had issues,had it out tonight for 10 mins in the lake to test it as it was storming, and lighting but she ran like a champ!! going to try and get it out this weekend for a full test.

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!!!:cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

Good deal...

How do you know that they are not opening? Take a ride with the caps off (and no seat) and watch the valves when you go WOT.

Chester

Yeah, you better get rid of those fuel lines... You don't want me showing up on your front porch with tool box in hand.. All this about the RAVEs and it's probably more a problem with goo in the carbs than anything else.

It does sound like you've found a smoking gun with the spring missing. Getting that taken care of should be a big difference.

I hope when you had your carbs off, you removed the low speed screw and blew carb (or brakes parts cleaner) through your low speed jet to make sure the internal porting was clear. Lots of time, people will open them up, clean what they can see and that's it. You've got to blow through all the internal porting to make sure the path is clear. Not so much the high speed jet, since it's just a straight shot into the venturi of the carb. But, the low speed has a few turns before getting to the throat.

Chester brought up a good point, which is why I quoted him. I learned this from him last year and it's a really good, sure way of determining if you have a problem with your solenoid. When your ready to go back out, I'd recommend you do like he states, remove the caps and see if you can physically see the raves open and close as you get on the throttle...... that way, you'll be certain...........:cheers:

 

[lvanek]

Fuel lines are GONE...every last one even pulse line :hurray:

i did clean out the filter and low jet, cleaned everything up with carb cleaner, cleaned out the fuel switch, the baffle screen, and fuel filter.

Ya i think el spring was the one RAVE's issue. i was thinking it was all RAVES because this is same issue i had last year and it was the RAVES.

But the carbs were so bad im surprised it ran!! i had it out for 10 mins last night she took of instantly to 7k and hauled, then storm came in and i booked, i will be taking it out again tomorrow and verify the RAVE's are wrking correctly

Thanks for all the help! :cheers: