carburetor filters

[acbprop]

1996 XP I just got (for free!) that has all the symptoms of needing new fuel lines and clogged filters. But I am having trouble getting the carburetors off--the long bolts that go through the carb are stuck in the carb and/or the block. I can get one bolt from the aft carb and spin it and get to the side plates. So maybe I'll do a poor man's rebuild in the ski.

Where are the internal filters located on the carbs? Seems like that's something I definitely need to deal with if I can. Then I can get my free ski on the water (free after new steering cable, fuel and oil filters, spark plugs, fuel line, and whatever else I break today).

 

[cbrownstone8]

if you can spray some good quality pentretating oil around the bolts (recommend pb blaster) let soak for a day. I highly doubt you will break off the bolts, they are pretty good quaulity it seems. I would just get a long ratchet/breaker bar and give it good solid pressure, not jerk on it. Its going to be really hard to really clean them good in the ski. good luck, im having problems myself, feel your pain

 

[acbprop]

If I can get to those filters I might be ok. Anybody know where the are? Are they underneath the side plates, and how many of them are there?

 

[cmeseadoin]

1996 XP I just got (for free!) that has all the symptoms of needing new fuel lines and clogged filters. But I am having trouble getting the carburetors off--the long bolts that go through the carb are stuck in the carb and/or the block.

I just rebuilt the twin Mikuni sbn's on my 1996 GSX 787 engine (you should have the same engine/carbs) and I had the same issue with one of the four carb bolts attaching the carbs to the engine. At first I thought they were stuck in the engine block, but found out that the thick collar of the shaft was stuck IN the carb housing passage. White powdery crap came out as I backed the bolt out slowly. I soaked them constantly with wd-40 and used a ratchet with the right sized allen fitting to drive them out a little, then threaded them back in and out again, OVER AND OVER. I would not doubt for a second that if you apply too much pressure to the bolt it will snap. I've snapped TONS of bolts this way. If the bolt does not break if you just bully it, you'll end up winding out the head of the allen bolt and then have no way to back it out and be really up shit's creek. My advice is SLOW and take your time. Soak them in wd-40 or PB blaster and back out till they get so tight they won't budge and then thread them back in, re-spray and back out again and do this over and over. I only had one messed up like that on me and it took me over an hour to get it out but I was making SURE that it did NOT break off. Good luck, it's a BITCH!

The carb filters on mine were 1/2-3/4 blocked (287 hours) on the engine. It was running fine before, just getting to where I had to crank it a little to start it once I got it hot and then stopped the engine to swim and got back on in 10-15 minutes to recrank. I had to feather the throttle and crank and she'd go, it just should not do that. I also had a very mild dead spot at half throttle where it would want to stall if you did not MASH the throttle wide open from a stop. I surmise that once I get it in the water, it should run much better. I am now waiting on my wear ring as I have the rear end torn out to service the jet pump.

The filters are located inside of the carb (one per carb) and you need to pick up the sbt rebuild kits and do both while you are at it because all the parts you take off to get to them will ruin the internal gaskets. I did mine, it was not hard. The hardest part is getting TO the carbs on the ski and removing the cables and linkages that drive the butterflies and oil pump. I pulled every muscle in the back of my legs and butt as well as back bending over the ski and from being in all kinds of horrible angles. If the engine was on the bench it would be SO much easier. It's like doing surgery with the motor in the ski.

 

[cmeseadoin]

1996 XP I just got (for free!)

If that thing is in decent cosmetic shape and the engine is solid, all the work you had to do is nothing for a 1996 ski. Congrats on a FREE ski.

My GSX is cosmetically as close to perfect as I have EVER seen a 13 year old ski. It's never sat outside, never sat in the water except when used. Washed after every use and ALWAYS protected from the sun. There is not one scuff on it and the finish and gel coat and stickers and everything is like the day it rolled out of the showroom with a mirror finish. I wash the engine and keep it coated in wd-40 which keeps rust from starting anywhere. I have 287 hours on the engine and never once had to do anything. All of what i am doing is nothing more than routine maint. If you take care of these things, they'll run for a LONG long time. Might even want to add a little extra oil to the gasoline and let her run a little oil rich. Carry some extra plugs with you in case you foul one. I've seen skis out there with 50 hours needing a rebuild because compression is gone.....I've meticulously maintained this thing and at 287 hours, the engine runs like new and has never had anything except rave valve cleaning and general preventative stuff. Now the carbs are done and soon will be on it's very first wear ring. ENJOY your ski! Just thought I'd mention some things that DEF will make your boat last. :cheers:

 

[acbprop]

Found the filters and they were full of green gunk. Did get the carburetor loose but one allen head might be stripped on the mag side carb and one bolt feels like it might be stripping (top on the pto carb) so I removed the hose guide and washer on it and it appears to be getting some good threads--don't want to have to drill and helicoil that sucker. Did an Obama rebuild on the carbs, got all the lines replaced, gas tank clean enough to eat out of, and ski started. Ran for 30 seconds, noticed a little gas leak, no big deal, probably loose clamp, then the thing made a horrendous noise like something is slipping or grinding. Every time I hit the starter, it starts to run but the same slipping or grinding noise.

Looking at other posts, I might have a stripped drive or impeller shaft but hard to imagine that happened sitting on the dock with a flush hose attached. I'm hoping to find something in the grate or impeller making a noise--it was sitting on grass. It was too late and too tired last night to investigate. I'll post results to maybe help others.

This ski is excellent cosmetically, always covered so I'm hoping I'm able to salvage it. Guy is also giving me a 1997 GTX in similar condition but allegedly froze engine. Maybe a little oil in the cylinder will free that up and I'll have twin free skis.