Successful First Ride!

[seadooFTW]

I picked up a 1996 GSX last fall with a blown motor and swapped in a SBT shortblock over the winter. I did all the preventitive maintnance as well (carb rebuilds, new fuel lines, cleaned tanks, new wear ring, changed pump oil, battery). Well I got the registration and all that today and took it out for its maiden voyage on the potomac just above harpers ferry WV. The ski ran great! I had a small audience of people that probably thought I was insane seeing as I didnt have a wet suit and the water was a bit brisk haha. The only thing that troubles me a bit is that I installed one of those clear fuel filters just before the carb and the thing is never full. Sometimes while running with the seat off its 2/3 full, sometimes I cant see any fuel really at all (maybe its just a little bit on the bottom side?) but it seems to run really well. Seeing as I put the first hour on the ski today I was doing the constantly varying 0-2/3 throttle so i havent run it flat out yet. I plan on replacing the fuel filter with one that has a screen as Seadoosnipe suggested in one of his posts as he said paper was to restrictive. Additionally I plan on checking the oring for the factory filter. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[djredman99]

Make sure you have your filter installed the correct way. They are typically designed with specific in and out ports.

I would take a quick look at the plugs and see if the ski was running lean.

 

[seadooFTW]

The filter is flowing the correct direction but I will check the plugs. I figure they should be pretty black as I am running oil in fuel for the break in period as well as the oil pump.

 

[LouDoo]

Congratulations on your first run.

I have an online filter on my ski, it has never been full. I think you are O.K. Like DJ said, the plugs and the fact that the motor is running well are your best indicators.

BTW Dr. Honda recommends the pleated paper gas filter.

Lou

 

[Dr Honda]

Congrats on the first ride... and... it's normal for an in line filter to look mostly empty.

 

[n3k0de]

yes on both my ski's they are never full. If you look while flushing it you can see a small stream flowing.. I think thats all it needs. If you tilt it a certain way it will fill up but then again it never messed up on me.