01 GTX RFI no power issue

[Vwjay]

Just picked up a 2001 GTX RFI. It starts and idles great. It revs up but not as clean and high as a similar machine a friend owned. And has nearly no power on the water. Where do I start with this? I imagine a compression test, maybe fuel pressure test? Are there any common filters or sensors that go bad that could cause this? Injectors, fuel pump? First I completely drained the fuel tank and started with fresh fuel. Still ran the same. I have a good strong battery and all my electrical connections seem strong and clean. Any help would be appreciated here. I know it's already mid season for us here in NY. I'd love to get it on the water this year but I'm trying to remain realistic with a diagnosis and repair time frame.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Compression test and FUel Pump test are the two biggest things you can do with a Di ski.

When you say "no power", did the engine RPM's go up or just stay low? Trying to see if you have an engine issue or a performance issue.

 

[Vwjay]

It would rev up slightly but it wouldn't go more than no wake speed. And the ski is a RFI not a DI.

 

[Coastiejoe]

It would rev up slightly but it wouldn't go more than no wake speed. And the ski is a RFI not a DI.

Ok,, to be clear, it would rev up a bit not not rev up to higher RPMs? Is that correct. Asking for a specific reason. If the RPMs remain low, then it is engine/mechanical. If they rev up and you go now where, then it is pump, impeller, carbon seal related.

 

[Vwjay]

I would say its deffinately the engine. It will move in the water. But when it's put under a load it can't get out of its own way. If I had to guess maybe 5-10mph tops.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Regardless of how well the ski performed, what were the highest RPm's?

 

[Vwjay]

I'd have to wager a guess. Wasn't really paying close attention to that. But I'd say in the 3k-3500 range.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Almost sounds as though it is in LIMP mode.

Any lights lit up on your dash? More than 1/4 tank of fuel?

Compression test and fuel pump pressure test will be very helpful.

Also, it NEVER hurts to instal new spark plugs.

 

[Vwjay]

Has new plugs, compression test shows 155psi on each cylinder. Test done with opposite plug removed. No warning lights.

 

[Vwjay]

Tested fuel pressure, 59 PSI at ignition. And stays at 59 PSI at all engine rpms. Although now it's begining to stall out when you you release the throttle after a high rpm rev. Low fuel warning is on. But that's because it only has a 3-4 gallons in it.

 

[Vwjay]

Added fuel, low fuel warning gone. Now getting a Maintaince message flashing.

 

[Bills86e]

RFI's will not run on Pre-Mixed fuel.

 

[Vwjay]

I'm not running it on pre-mix

 

[Vwjay]

Keep in mind all these test are being done out of water.

 

[allan1353]

Could it be the injectors gone bad? Maybe it has something to do with the Maintenance light flashing and putting it in limp mode.

 

[Vwjay]

Idk, didn't have time to pull the fuel rail today and test them. Will try tomorrow or Sunday. Did pull the fuel pump, no evidence of water in the fuel. Cleaned the filter and strainer put it black together and it runs slightly worse. Ordered a new filter and strainer set Delphi #FS0112 found here in another thread. When they come I'll swap out and see if the condition gets worse or improves.

 

[Vwjay]

Still waiting on the filters. Anything else I can check in the meantime?

 

[Vwjay]

Ok, so I installed the new filters and strainers but there's been little change in the machine. It will rev to 6300rpms or so but it's slow and rough going to get there. It's still stalling after a hard hit on the throttle and once it stalls it's hard to restart without giving it some throttle. Thoughts on where to go from here? Fuel pump? Injectors? Vacuum leak? Sensors? I'm stumped

 

[allan1353]

Almost sounds like a lose or corroded connector somewhere.

 

[Bills86e]

Still waiting on the filters. Anything else I can check in the meantime?

You can check the rotary valve clearance. If the ski ever injested water the RV Cover gets its lubrication oil washed and wears the metal away.
Then the bigger clearance allows the adjacent cylinders mixture/pressure into that one, robbing power.
Suggest you read up in your shop manual also read in the "how-to" section of this forum for how to gauge the clearance.
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche...wc&a=119&b=4&c=0&d=-CRANKCASE-W/-ROTARY-VALVE

Proceedure
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthre...tary-Valve-Cover-Clearance&highlight=rv+cover

Bills86e

 

[allan1353]

Hey bill nice wright up and read

 

[Vwjay]

Thanks Bill will do. I just found my shop manual. It's previously been AWOL since I moved. What's everybody's thoughts on my chances I'll be able to fix this thing without buying a candoo pro system?

 

[Vwjay]

Here's a question. Looking at my ski this morning I noticed that I'm missing a line off of the rave system solenoid. It's the one that points rearward and the shop manual says it goes to the crankcase. The one with the check valve in it. Could this be playing a significant role on my engines running problems? Or is it one of those things that needs to be connected but doesn't do much when not?

 

[Vwjay]

Well I located the missing rave solenoid line and reconnected it. Tested the check valve works fine. It does seem to have improved things slightly. Just slightly now that the line was reconnected. It will now climb up to 7200 rpms but it still struggles to get there and dies if you don't nurse the throttle when trying to throttle down. It wouldn't rev up that high prior. if I had the benefit of more time today I would've looked at the rotary valve or the injectors but got side tracked pulling a frozen steering cable. If I didn't enjoy working on stuff so much or the challenge this ski has presented I'd be very frustrated right now. Or at least more frustrated then I am.

 

[gforney]

Check wire harness and make sure all connections are tight. I spent the better part of two summers chasing down a similar issue turned out the the rear cylinder was not getting fuel pulse for injector. Hooked up noid light from harbor freight and found problem real fast. The key to the fix was to use tie wraps to hold the main wire harness in position so that it rear injector made connection. Also have you cleaned the rave valves? Did you check the voltage when running? RFI's are known to have issues with the voltage regulator.