Strange?

[chillholm]

Hi all,

Got the 99gtx ltd and it has this intermitent problem.
Goes for about 1 hour at WOT-beautifully then starts to bog down and won't rev past about 4800 rpm. I take it out the water same thing-almost as if the carb setting is too rich. It also won't rev to 3000 rpm when on the trailer, only goes to 1500 and then stalls. Lots of smoke.
Now here's the strange part. I leave it overnight start it the next day and hey presto! everything is back to normal!
Will use it for 2-3 outings with 2- 3 hour ride time approx and it runs like a dream and then the whole process,as described above will repeat itself.

I have:

1/ had a completete engine rebuild-bottom and top. back in August 09 Comp test 150 in both.
2/ Carbs were done at the same time.
3/Have replaced the water regulator on top of water box.
4/Have checked rectifier 13.5-13.8 at 5500 rpm.
5/ Have replaced the fuel lines. and cleaned fuel selector valve.
6/ Raves are as clean as a whistle.
Any suggestions? I adore the GTX but this intermittent gremlin drives me mad.
Strangely enough it only seems to happen in very choppy waters? It has never bogged down on calm waters??

It's a bit like my wifes moods happy most of the time and then a brooding stubborness every now and then!LOL!

The old GTX has got me questioning my sanity! If you can please help me find it!

 

[Bills86e]

Needles & seats may be swollen and should be replaced.

 

[chillholm]

Thanks for the quick response Bills86e. Where are the needles and seats? What are they? Carbs?

 

[Chester]

Sounds like you have an exhaust leak. You mentioned lots of smoke?

Chester

 

[chillholm]

Thanks for responding Chester.
Yes, there was lots of smoke almost like it was running real rich, but the thing coughs and splutters and backfires. I guess I could check the timing but this problem is intermittent. Started it up yesterday and it ran like a dream. So it has me ??????? myself.
The problem is I want it to be reliable for longer trips. It's a great machine.
Pulled the raves and turned the crank the sides of the pistons are like brand new, so they should be they were only put in last year.
I have had the oil setting set a little bit richer, so that I could save the motor, I'm not looking for ultimate race preformance, just reliability, so could that have something to do with it?

 

[seadoosnipe]

Seat?...

Thanks for responding Chester.
Yes, there was lots of smoke almost like it was running real rich, but the thing coughs and splutters and backfires. I guess I could check the timing but this problem is intermittent. Started it up yesterday and it ran like a dream. So it has me ??????? myself.
The problem is I want it to be reliable for longer trips. It's a great machine.
Pulled the raves and turned the crank the sides of the pistons are like brand new, so they should be they were only put in last year.
I have had the oil setting set a little bit richer, so that I could save the motor, I'm not looking for ultimate race preformance, just reliability, so could that have something to do with it?

Chester may be on to something. When you are having this problem, I bet your riding with your seat on. (of course, I know that's a stupid comment).

What I"m getting too is the "intermittent" problem. If you have an exhaust leak on the inside, the engine compartment will fill with CO (carbon monoxide) which will displace the oxygen. The engine needs that oxygen to burn with your fuel.

If you have flooded the engine compartment with CO, the engine will begin to run just as you describe. If you wait till the CO dissapates, then it'll run again for a little while before it happens all over again.

Try this. My GTX seat is split into 2 pieces. If your is, remove that rear piece, remove the small storage bucket and take it out for a ride. See if you have a problem with it. If you can ride and ride and ride, then yes, you have an exhaust leak and it'll have to be found and repaired so you can keep the CO from being ingested into your motor.

To be certain right off the bat, ride the ski until you have the problem. Stop the motor, take off the seat and lay it down into your foot well. Then, start it up and run again. IF the ski runs good, again, your pointing at an exhaust leak.........:cheers:

 

[chillholm]

Hmmm??? Thanks for the quick response. You know I might take it out today and try it and check for any leaks in the exhaust.
One more thing when I have this problem and start it up sometimes there's a sound just on start up only, almost like a snap or pop/back fire only on start up then it will run fine. WhenI stop it and start it again it's gone. Could that sound have something to do with the exhaust leak?

 

[Chester]

You can check for an exhaust leak while running it on the hose at home. An exhaust leak will completely choke out the engine.

Chester

 

[Dennis]

You might check your rear electrical box (where the plug wires go to) for water. Water sloshing around in there will cause intermitent misfiring especially in choppy water.

DAWG

 

[chillholm]

Well I put her on the hose the other day just to quash any fears I was having, she started right up and ran at 3000rpm.
I noticed that when I reved it high a small tickle of water was coming from where the inlet hose is plugged into the water regulator on top of the exhaust box/muffler. Could that possibly be a problem?

 

[Chester]

Yes it will cause a running problem.

Chester

 

[chillholm]

Thank you all will fix the leak at the water reg. and see how I go! Cheers.