Judgement Day - keep it or sell it

[Ckrawiec]

OK guys...I'm at the tipping point....the '96 GTX is starting to irritate me. The ski has had it's issues since I OWNED it...no RAGrets so far...but lately....she is starting to piss me off.

So, I rebuilt the carbs this past winter, YES - followed MIKI's post like gospel.....first time out...she ran like a top...better than ever...power, throttle response, speed and starting IN THE WATER were all there. The following week...little hard to start, but a little choke and she'd go.

I am now in my 4th week with ski on the water and she will not start on the water....CRANKS like crazy, but just won't catch. I pulled the ski out and brought it home last night (150 miles from the dock).

I will go through her ONE MORE TIME....but I truly want your opinions.....is it time to Fish or CUT BAIT......sell her off and buy a new 4 stroke, part her out? (MY 2017 Spark and the 2018 GTS start on the button push EVERYTIME (I KNOW, not a fair comparison) - but there is comfort and reliability with that....the '96 is taking up valuable dock space if she won't stay running/starting....SIGH! -> but she it still MY favorite (the wife's <> not so much)

My plan.....go through the carbs again, new spark plugs, fresh fuel.....anything else????? Everything else has already been replaced or verified to be in good working order....NOTE: she will fire with a little pre-mix squirted into the cylinders....SO, it really feels like the carbs are still suspect. DAMN!

 

[AKnarrowback]

Assuming you replaced the gray lines with a good quality fuel line?

My 97 GTX was running perfect and in a matter of 3 rides developed the same starting problems you are describing. I had not replaced the fuel lines yet so I did a line replacement and complete carb take down and cleaning. It ran perfect after that for another two rides and started having starting problems again. I went into the carbs again and found the small filter screen had some green gunk that was still working it's way out of the system. Another carb take down and cleaning solved the problem. The thing that suprised me was how little gunk was in the screen and how pristine the carbs looked that second time, but they still needed a cleaning to make things run right.

Do another thorough cleaning to the carbs. Make sure the fuel filter seal is seated and snug. Try bypassing the fuel selector if the problem persists. Make sure all you fuel line connections are tight, no air in no fuel out. It's 99% for sure a fuel delivery problem.

 

[Ckrawiec]

Assuming you replaced the gray lines with a good quality fuel line?

My 97 GTX was running perfect and in a matter of 3 rides developed the same starting problems you are describing. I had not replaced the fuel lines yet so I did a line replacement and complete carb take down and cleaning. It ran perfect after that for another two rides and started having starting problems again. I went into the carbs again and found the small filter screen had some green gunk that was still working it's way out of the system. Another carb take down and cleaning solved the problem. The thing that suprised me was how little gunk was in the screen and how pristine the carbs looked that second time, but they still needed a cleaning to make things run right.

Do another thorough cleaning to the carbs. Make sure the fuel filter seal is seated and snug. Try bypassing the fuel selector if the problem persists. It's 99% for sure a fuel delivery problem.

Yes, all fuel lines replaced, fuel/water separator filter & O-ring is new, fuel selector switch is new, fuel guage is new, carbs rebuilt with Mikuni & MIKI post, new battery cabling, OEM rebuilt starter, new battery (s) -load tested and fully charged, all electric wiring and fuses checked, dried, cleaned, continuity tested, etc.....new solenoid, new ignition coil, new spark plug wires and boots, compression 142 BOTH....I've basically rebuilt her.....just a little frustrated (not ME really), but the wife chirping is getting annoying.... Gotta be fuel/carbs....going back in AGAIN.

 

[rkkoeb]

I just spent a month chasing carb issues and at the end I found out that my seadoo dealer sold me the wrong pilot jets. Neither one was correct for my jet ski. My take away from that was never put anything into your carbs until you check that they are the correct part numbers. Might want to go back and check your pilot and main jet plus your needle and seat and make sure they are the correct part numbers

 

[POPPS]

Is this a 785?,,,if yes,,,142 seems low. Is the charging circuit working.

 

[Ckrawiec]

Is this a 785?,,,if yes,,,142 seems low. Is the charging circuit working.

It is a 787 motor....150 psi is ideal, 130's is LOW, 120's is pretty much shot.

When she runs, she runs like a demon.....strong and fast, so I'm not concerned about the compression....from all indications the engine is fine...she just needs food (fuel).....like I mentioned, a little pre-mix squirt directly into the carbs or cylinders and she'll start and run. It's just that INITIAL trying to start on the water where she is struggling until the battery gives up.

Yes....The charging circuit is working.....13V+ back to the battery when it was running. The ski is in damn fine shape except for the RELIABLE starting (problem is, she sits for a week between "potential" runs as the ski is at the summer cottage - 150 miles from home, so she only sees any action on the weekends, and NO action if she won't start

 

[POPPS]

Sounds like it is gasping for fuel.

 

[Ckrawiec]

Well guys.....looks like I may have been a bit premature with writing the ol' 96 GTX off......yesterday evening I took off the air box down to the carbs, squirted some mixed gas directly into the carbs and she STILL wouldn't start.....cranks like crazy though. Next thing....I replaced the spark plugs with a newer old set and SHE FIRED RIGHT UP. I'll be damned but NEVER underestimate the power of a new set of spark plugs. The ski now fires up on the button push EVERY TIME.....checked it again this morning and bam.....ready to GO! She will be back on the water this weekend. I'll be putting in 2 BRAND NEW plugs later this week.

 

[POPPS]

That is great news,,,sometimes it is something too simple to think about or try!

 

[Ckrawiec]

That is great news,,,sometimes it is something too simple to think about or try!

I know....human nature is to think it's always bigger than the simple things, it CAN'T possibily be THAT easy......the original plugs (not stock originals mind you) that were in it didn't look too bad either and they were not that old either.....I was really surprised that a simple change in plugs was the ticket......but I won't argue with success as there is water to be carved up!

 

[Ckrawiec]

AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH! Once again, the 'ol 96 is playing with me. Brand new plugs installed last night....WON'T start this morning. WILL start with a little squirt of gas directly into the carbs BUT not on her own (on the button push)....SIGHHHHHH!!!!!! Looks like I'm back into the carbs once again.....she won't be getting wet this weekend

 

[POPPS]

Crazy question.,,are the choke plates closing?

 

[Ckrawiec]

Crazy question.,,are the choke plates closing?

Yes......everything is as it should be.....but the ski just can't get over the push button start hump (after sitting for a spell).....squirt a little pre-mix directly into the carbs and away she goes and she'll run all day after that (so long as there are no LONG pauses between starts).

For whatever reason, it just seems like/feels like the carbs go DRY if she sits for any length of time.....I KNOW I installed everything correctly (pump check valves, etc....), I KNOW I have good vacuum from the engine......it's just frustrating.

I could run it without the airbox on and keep a little squirt bottle of pre-mix with me at all times....BUT I'd rather not do that and fix it right....still working the issue! I'm stubborn