1999 GTX-RFI Died at speed

[overrheads]

I have a 1999 GTX-RFI that has been acting up lately. A few weeks ago, we took it out and it ran great for a couple of hours. As we were on our way back to the ramp it started sputtering and died. We did get it fired again but it took alot of cranking. Today we took it out and it ran great for about 8-10 minutes and then all of the sudden (while running about 5000 rpms it died...no sputtering....no coughing...dead! I tried to start it again and it did not want to start. I began swimming it to the ramp since I stayed close for this reason and about 1/2 way in I decided to try to start it again. When I hit the starter it turned over several times and then started but was sputtering and coughing. I got it to the trailer and loaded it up. When I got home I put it on the hose and it started right up. I have read in several places that the voltage regulators are notorious for going out on this model so I put a volt meter on the battery and it was at 12.85 volts. After I fired up the motor and brought the rpms up it was at 13.55 volts. Does this mean the regulator is good? Any other suggestions? It is just very wierd to me that it was running good and instantly fell on its face!

HELP!!!!!!!

 

[nswillin]

Not to scare you, but, do a compression check, just to be sure. When my piston went out it ran fine then just died, hard to start back up then it would start and get to about 4000 rpms and take a crap. Would idle though. Took it in and had 0 comp on rear cylinder and had to rebuild. Hopefully this is not the case with yours, but I would check compression first.:cheers:

 

[overrheads]

I have already had one piston replaced last summer. I would not think it would have a dead cylinder since I could rev it to 3000 and beyond while on the hose. Is this correct or could it rev that high on one cylinder?

 

[nswillin]

Not sure but mine would rev up to 4000 with a hole in it, but then would completely die soon as it hit 4000. I dont think it is a electrical prob though. Could be a few things. I just always compression check first b/c it's easy to do and is just one process of elimination.

What caused the first piston to blow and did you replace both or just one?

If comp is good start at the fuel system, carbs fuel, lines filters, fuel selector valve. JPX has some good info on his profile about the fuel system.

 

[overrheads]

The piston that was replaced had a hole in it. The other one was fine according to the Seadoo dealer that did the work. I do not have a compression tester but will try to take it to a dealer and have that checked. Any other suggestions??????

 

[derek]

buy a compression tester at any auto parts store for 25 bucks.