1995 Seadoo XP Problems

[bullet1977]

Bare with me as I'm new to Jet ski's and am a noob. Anyways, last time I rode my 95 XP I put some seafoam in the gas tank as it stated that it helped clean things up. After I put that in I went for a ride. The ski was acting funny and it wouldn't go past 5-10 mph. It acted like there was seaweed or something stuck in the intake grate. Checked and there was nothing in the intake grate. Continued to ride and heard a loud noise. Jumped off the ski immediately and docked the ski and found out my exhaust clamp broke. Not only that but the two bolts on the bottom half were missing along with the bushings. Im assuming this is what caused the exhaust clamp to snap. I ordered a new gasket, an exhaust clamp, and the two bolts and bushings for the bottom half of the exhaust. My question is why was my ski only wanting to go 5-10 mph when i was giving it throttle? Was it due to the exhaust clamp that was about to break or something else related? I just had my carbs cleaned last spring and the original grey fuel lines have already been replaced. I was riding all day and it was riding great until this issue happened with the seafoam and the exhaust clamp snapping. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mikidymac]

This is very common on the 720 engine and once the pipe bushings get worn the bolts and clamp break. This causes the engine compartment to fill with exhaust and the engine can't run breathing exhaust as it needs oxygen to burn.

The other issue is Seafoam. It has no place in a two stroke as it is a solvent and will remove the oil film from the engine parts. Also there is nothing in a bottle that can fix the fuel system in these skis. You need to make sure you...
1. Don't have grey fuel lines.
2. Your fuel strainer is clean and air tight.
3. Your on/off valve is working correctly, not plugged or sucking air.
4. Carbs are rebuilt every couple years with genuine Mikuni kits and needle and seats.

If any one of these 4 items is wrong you will seize and destroy your engine. Do NOT keep riding it thinking that it will "clear out" or Seafoam will fix it.

 

[bullet1977]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. I will check all four. So what your saying is the engine was filling with exhaust fumes thus why the ski was only going 5-10 mph?

 

[mikidymac]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. I will check all four. So what your saying is the engine was filling with exhaust fumes thus why the ski was only going 5-10 mph?

That is correct. Probably was filling the engine compartment with water too.

You still need to get the seafoam out and make sure the fuel system is good to go. All these need is fresh gas and good API-TC oil.

Is this a "New to you" ski?

 

[bullet1977]

Thanks again. I will check all the 4 items you mentioned and drain the tank with the seafoam in it. Ive had the ski for about a year. The previous owner didn't take care of it. Already had to replace the starter as he put in an aftermarket one that was too small for the ski. Love the ski though when it runs great. Very playful ski that you can do a lot of tricks on.

 

[mikidymac]

In that case I would also verify the oil is correct and replace the small 3/32" lines that feed the intake manifold to the oil pump. If it is blue or green it is 99% of the time wrong.
And change the jet pump oil.

 

[bullet1977]

In that case I would also verify the oil is correct and replace the small 3/32" lines that feed the intake manifold to the oil pump. If it is blue or green it is 99% of the time wrong.
And change the jet pump oil.

It runs the XPS seadoo oil that is like 50 dollars a jug. I dont premix either. Quick question. Is it very common for the the oil pump to fail on these units?

 

[mikidymac]

No. The oil pumps are extremely reliable but...... make sure the cable is adjusted correctly per the manual and replace the small lines from the pump to the intake as they do break when old and seize the engine.

Perfect oil and it's cheaper on Amazon.

 

[bullet1977]

No. The oil pumps are extremely reliable but...... make sure the cable is adjusted correctly per the manual and replace the small lines from the pump to the intake as they do break when old and seize the engine.

Perfect oil and it's cheaper on Amazon.

Sounds good. Last question for you. When I get my hardware and exhaust clamp what do you suggest I put in between both pieces? Silcone? Loctite?

 

[mikidymac]

The paper gaskets go in dry. The pipe to pipe with the clamp should have a copper ring between them that gets a coat of high temp copper RTV silicone and the bolts get blue threadlock.

Torque everything to spec.

 

[bullet1977]

Is there a trick on getting the clamp on? Mine almost seems too small. I can get pictures when I get off of work. I have all hardware torqued tight now and was trying to get the clamp on. Everything is lined up perfect but to no avail. Or am I suppose to put the clamp on with the bottom two bolts on the lower pipe while loose??? Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[twohawjks]

i always put mine together with all bolts loose it dont take much to throw it out of align and make it hard to get that clamp back on with everything loose makes it easy to get back in alignment

 

[mikidymac]

Is this a 720 or 787? Is the clamp a band clamp with a rubber sleeve or the single V clamp with a copper ring?

 

[bullet1977]

720 with the copper ring. The diameter of the clamp is 5 inches and I can get the bolt through the sleeve halfway but can't get it to go all the way through to get the nut on.

 

[bullet1977]

Here is a picture of my clamp.

 

[mikidymac]

I am pretty sure yours shouldn't have that pipe. Sounds like it might have an HX pipe on it.

Does it look like this?

 

[twohawjks]

i have also found on these it is better off putting them together out side the ski and using hammer to tap around the clamp to help spread it to make it fit old ones are already spread from being installed when you run the nut on the bolt the clamp will spread i also do this on diesel trucks to it makes them goto gether lot better

 

[bullet1977]

My pipes look like this which is right for a 95 XP 720 engine... .

 

[mikidymac]

So when assembling it the two parts need to be together perfectly. There shouldn't be any gap all the way around before the clamp is even on. Then the clamp should go on far enough to get the nut on. Also make sure there are no burrs to keep the clamp from going on. If it still won't go you might have to tap around the clamp to get it seated far enough to get the nut on like twohawjks said.

 

[bullet1977]

Sounds good. Its aligned perfectly. I'll have to tap it into place and hopefully that does the trick. Thanks guys.

 

[mikidymac]

Ok. Strange that they dumped that pipe in 96' on the XP/SPX 720 but kept it the full run of the HX till 97'.