Anybody else see a pattern here?

[imron13]

What is up with the Sea Doo carb problems: "won't start", "hard start" "bogging", "low rpms" etc. I am experiencing some of the same problems with my 97 spx. Very,very hard to start, then when started cannot give it gas for 1-2 min. Then after it warms up it goes great. Cools down and back to hard start. I'v pulled the carbs and see the previous owner did a rebuild. Cleaned the micro filters and am in the process of replacing the grey lines.
I guess my point is: why are these machines so touchy and finicky? Makuni carbs should not be this troublesome.
My lake home neighbor has a late 90's Kawa Tigershark. This machine has been flooded twice that I know of and he does minimal winterizing...not even stabil in the gas. That machine does nothing but keep running. Always ribbing me about working on mine.
This is me second Sea Doo and may be my last.
Just venting...anyone else feel the same?
Thanks
Ron

 

[Bills86e]

Some are worse. Some just lucky. My bud son has two yamis he bought two years
ago and has never had a good experience ride as yet. Last week he put used truck
oil in that his dad left lying around in a milk jug in his gas tank = ugh! Doh!

 

[Dr Honda]

Last week he put used truck
oil in that his dad left lying around in a milk jug in his gas tank = ugh! Doh!

I do that all the time.... in the fuel tank of my Diesel truck. (it will burn anything)



Imron13....


There are a few things going on.

a) You are looking on a forum, and people only post here when there is a problem. This is why you "see a pattern." So, at face value, it would look like SeaDoo's are the most troublesome skis ever made. In reality, they are very reliable, and on average, the engines out live any of the other manufactures. (probably because we are forced to use a better oil)


b) You have a 14 year old ski, the over that time... there was probably a bunch of neglect, and improper winterization. Also, you now have 14 years of junk built up in the fuel system.

c) You are now entering a stage in it's life, were we know the Tempo fuel lines weren't as stable with Oxygenated fuels as they were suppose to be.


Mikuni carbs are very reliable, and stable, but like any mechanical thing... they wear out, and need a good service once in a while.


If you change your temp fuel lines, clean the filter, clean the fuel select valve... and then clean the carbs... you will be back to running great!

I have a 1990 Si, and it runs like a champ. It just takes a little maintenance once in a while.




FYI... Tigershak was a Polaris product. They have Suzuki engines with Mikuni carbs. (a few had Keihen carbs)

 

[imron13]

I stand corrected on the Kawasaki/Tigershark. Keep in mind that machine is also about 14yrs old with no problems. Many posts here are the same. Even after replacing all fuel lines and rebuilding carbs,etc, same problems are not resolved.

 

[Dr Honda]

I stand corrected on the Kawasaki/Tigershark. Keep in mind that machine is also about 14yrs old with no problems. Many posts here are the same. Even after replacing all fuel lines and rebuilding carbs,etc, same problems are not resolved.

Yes... it happens. Sometimes it's hard to diagnose problems over the Internet. But then again, people have a tendency of not giving all the info, or they only tell you the things that they think are wrong. Or... as in your case... someone rebuilt that carbs, and take it out for a ride, and then decide to change the fuel lines. two things are wrong with this. a) the fuel lines are sill plugged up, and b) the old fuel lines send junk into the clean carbs. Now, they need cleaned again.


Other problems we run into are people tell us they "Rebuilt" the carbs, but then after a few days, we find they sprayed cleaner down into the butterflies, or they used "SeaFoam" in the fuel tank, and in reality, they were not actually rebuilt.

Other things we run into are that people have "new to them" skis, and there have no idea what the last owner did. From this, we have found carbs with completely wrong jetting, and home made modifications that will just not work.

And finally, we run into problems with rotary valves that aren't in spec, leaking exhaust systems, extremely low compression, jet pumps that are half seized up (not letting the engine turn) or ignition problems.


I know at my own shop, I will get someone complaining of a fuel related problem, but when I get my hands on it... it's something completely different.

With all that said... and knowing that your ski is 14 years old with tempo lines... the obvious answer is to start with a complete fuel system cleaning. Even if there are other problems... the tempo lines will eventually cause a problem, so it's best to eliminate that first.

 

[Wire4Money]

Tigershark was an Arctic Cat product. I had one for a short time. I was impressed with the build quality of them. Just wait until your friend's shark eats the driveshaft/bearing. It seems all of them do that. (It's a lot harder to fix that than replacing fuel lines)

 

[RFoster130]

I have a 12 year old boat with zero carb or fuel problems. You just hear the bad stories usually.

 

[Dr Honda]

Tigershark was an Arctic Cat product. I had one for a short time. I was impressed with the build quality of them. Just wait until your friend's shark eats the driveshaft/bearing. It seems all of them do that. (It's a lot harder to fix that than replacing fuel lines)

Sorry... you are right. I had Polaris on the brain. (my own project)

 

[imron13]

Ok, went to the local Fleet/Farm for 1/4" fuel line to replace the gray crap.
They carry 2 types:standard .99 per ft or injection for $2.49 per ft. Which one? Searched the old forums and cannot find anything related to my question. Also must i replace the grey lines to the check valve and pressure relief valve? Looks like a b***** to get at.
Thanks
Ron

 

[mccordb]

You should be fine with the .99 its just a pressure rating and the sea doo can't go above the pressure rating of the standard hose.

 

[imron13]

Thanks...that saves quite a bit of money$$$.. What about clear fuel line? Would be nice to see the fuel flowing to the right places.
Thanks again.
Ron

 

[fastfreddy]

seadoo and kawaski

had a seadoo for 3 years love it ,had a kawaski for 4 rides had to replace stater.

 

[Dr Honda]

It's up to you on the clear fuel hose. I like to just use black hose. The rangers and coast guard people won't question it.

 

[imron13]

Dr Honda...say what? What does the coast guard and rangers (what ever those are?) have to do with what type of fuel line I use.
Here in Wis. we have no such inspections. Just pay at the window and get a renewal sticker!
Thanks all for the help!
Ron