1996 XP failing...help

[erickolmstead]

OK, I bought this seadoo for $800 and I have had nothing but problems and I would really like it to work this summer, so I am hoping you guys/gals can help me.

Here's the problem:

At WOT my top speed (verified by GPS) is 41 mph. When I let off the throttle and the jetski comes to a stop, the engine cuts off. Has a hard time starting after 5 minutes of sitting after it has ran for any length of time.

This is what I've tried:

Replaced the Gray Tempo fuel lines
Rebuilt the carbs (including those pesky little internal filters)
Cleaned the selector switch
Cleaned the RAVE system
Checked the voltage regulator which produced 13.5 at idle and 15.2 at WOT out of the water
Checked all the fuses
Cleaned the ground
High Speed Setting is 0
Low Speed is 1.5
Replaced the Plugs

What is wrong?

 

[brock1]

sounds like low compression have you checked that yet

 

[erickolmstead]

165 both sides

 

[LouDoo]

The hard starting could be caused by leaky carb. needles and seats, also did you check your pop-off, not sure of the exact number but I think in the low 20's. Also try bypassing the fuel control valve, I have not had a lot of success cleaning them.

Also get a compression reading so we know the general condition of the engine.

Lou

 

[LouDoo]

165 is way high, has the engine been worked on lately? Unless this is a race engine and you are running high octane fuel you really need to get the compression down to a reasonable level, around 150psi.

Lou

 

[Spimothy Leary]

yes 165 i high, but 93 is probably still ok

 

[erickolmstead]

yes this is a racing engine and yes i am running 93, but how does high compression affect top end performance?

 

[brock1]

it dosent but this just turned into a completly different animal...you have a modded engine so things are going to be a diff. story .....i think this is one for DOC so wait for him to chime in

 

[erickolmstead]

its still a 787 with no aftermarket parts......just has a bunch of racing stickers and was told to run high octane when i bought it

 

[brock1]

if you have 165 compression then it has aftermarket parts or you have a really bad guage....check it again with another guage...

 

[erickolmstead]

and who is the DOC?

 

[brock1]

DR. honda...he has more knowledge on everything than anybody on here that i know of...... he is good with aftermarket parts......

 

[erickolmstead]

and to be specific the ski has "west coast racing" stickers on it

 

[brock1]

take a pic of your engine and post it...try to get the engine and pipe

 

[erickolmstead]

here's the picture

 

[brock1]

the head looks to be stock...if its white it probubly is.... the pipe is stock too...so im guessing that you have a bad guage.....did you ersonally check the compression or are you going off what the seller told you...sorry if it sounds like im being picky but something isnt right........the only other possibility is that you have a shaved head

 

[erickolmstead]

I tested it myself from a borrowed gauge that came from a boat mechanic....I can check it again tomorrow, but I tested it repeatedly to be sure I had an accurate reading.

Could a bad mixture of carb settings cause my issue?

 

[erickolmstead]

My only concern with that theory is that the ski was doing that before I replaced everything

 

[brock1]

it could but you have to manythings going on here....1) if you have a shaved head to bring the comp. up and nothing else was done to accomidate the higher comp. then that could be the problem.... does the engine sound like it is reving up to full rpms when you are at WOT or does it sound like its just not all there.....also if you punch it from a stop does it rev high for a sec then kinda grab and take off/..

 

[erickolmstead]

I don't have another XP to compare the sound to, but it grabs right away. Now on that note I also have a 1995 SPX and have that GPS'd at 49 mph and that SPX smokes the XP in every way, from take off to top end and I believe that that is a 657. So the XP is not faster at take off, 1/3 throttle, 1/2 or 3/4. This leads me to believe that the ski is simply 'not there'

 

[brock1]

another question that sounds dumb but it will help....do the bolts on top of the enigne have paint missing from them...like they have had a wrench on them before and it chipped the paint off......also your xp should be a mini rocket...... mine is a riot i love it and i havent been beaten yet with it so its def. not running right if your spx can beat it

 

[erickolmstead]

nope no paint missing and I know it should run better...it should do around 57.....im really disappointed and that why i need help!?

 

[brock1]

so if it did this before you did the laundry list of maintenance assuming you used OEM rebuild kits then we can rule those things out....what do your spark plugs look like any way to snap a pic

 

[brock1]

also you said in a previous post that this is a racing engine...what makes you think that

 

[erickolmstead]

the 'west coast racing' stickers on the ski and the owner saying use only premieum fuel.......other then that...nothing and i cant take pics right now because it is storming out pretty bad and its on the lake, but i will tmrw