2004 GTI LE RFI

[mcoxe77]

My 2004 GTI LE RFI is having some sort of fuel delivery issue. When it starts you can go wide open and then out of nowhere, full power loss down to an idle. If you give it throttle it feels like bogged out and goes nowhere. Then it will just kick it in full gear and take off again and then just repeat itself. Sometimes it takes much too long to start up again. New plugs, fresh fuel, still no avail. The plugs are definately getting a black tinge to them with very little time on them. I started to check something's out, but I cannot get the fuel pump assembly out of the fuel tank...What is the trick to get that piece out of there to check the filters?

 

[etemplet]

Did you check fuel pressure??

I'm assuming You've removed the glove box and all of the vent system hoses. Mark where the gasket comes off as it only goes on one way.

To remove the fuel canister it will come straight up BUT the fuel level float will prevent you from removing the canister. Tilt the canister toward the back of the ski, remove it then push the canister forward to remove the level arm and float which is attached to the canister. Be gentle. It is pretty easy to remove. On reinsallation don't tighten the nuts too much. Be gentle.

While you have the unit out clean the contacts for the float and make sure, using a multi meter, that the float reading is linear. Make sure you line the fuel pump up with the discharge tube. Good Luck !

 

[mcoxe77]

Thanks for the quick reply. It seemed every which way we tried to remove the fuel pump assembly just is just not enough room to maneuver it to get it out. Do I need to remove the steering assembly to make enough room? I did not check fuel pressure before attempting the pump removal

 

[etemplet]

I'm not sure on the GTI if you need to remove the steering. I've removed the fuel pump on one but don't remember if I had to do anything with the steering. If I did more it in would have only removed the bolts at the top. I acutually have one in my shop right now so I'll be doing that shortly. Engine needs a top end and Im gonna go through everything mto make sure it's all okie dokie or my cousin. I really like the RFIs

 

[mcoxe77]

You do not need to remove the steering. I couldnt completely remove the glove box because the side fairings were so hard to get off, or I just dont know enough but i was able to get the seat side glove box up high enough to make room and that sucker came right out. Filters look brown but definitely letting fuel thru...there is some debris in the bottom of the tank that i will be cleaning out....i would like to take the injectors off and clean them out but they seem to be hard to get at....also how does the fuel system become pressurized? Does it self pressurize or do I have to manually pressurize it somehow?

 

[mcoxe77]

I have both injectors off of the fuel rail...if I look inside the injector on the fuel rail side, the insides look different. One seems to have a hole in it that would let fuel pass and the other seems to have a dead end. When power is added to the injector, cleaner is able to pass thru the injector with the hole....the other doesnt let the spray cleaner thru...does that mean the one injector is bad..?

 

[etemplet]

You do not need to remove the steering. I couldnt completely remove the glove box because the side fairings were so hard to get off, or I just dont know enough but i was able to get the seat side glove box up high enough to make room and that sucker came right out. Filters look brown but definitely letting fuel thru...there is some debris in the bottom of the tank that i will be cleaning out....i would like to take the injectors off and clean them out but they seem to be hard to get at....also how does the fuel system become pressurized? Does it self pressurize or do I have to manually pressurize it somehow?

Yea buddy.... I forgot about the glove box on the GTI. That is THE MOST MISERABLE set up I ever saw. I end up braking at least a couple of those things. I think the best way it so remove the right side, side piece. I'll be looking at that job in a couple of days. I didn't need a reminder. Ha ha.

Boy O Boy if somebody has the combination to getting that thing off... I'd be all ears.

 

[mcoxe77]

I only need to pull out the rear push pin on the right fairing to create the space needed....used a flat head to pry it out...also used something between the flathead and the ski as to not damage the fiberglass....

 

[etemplet]

It would be hella nice if they would simply unplug from the glovebox. Not too too bad though

 

[mcoxe77]

Any ideas on the injector question I posted?

 

[etemplet]

I'd get the filters installed, reinstall the pump then check fuel pump pressure. You original problem sounds like a fuel deilvery issue so personally I think you're on the right track. There are threads where there is in depth discussion of checking the systems out. Your current path may address the problem.

 

[mcoxe77]

Had a local guy test and clean the injectors and he said they were fine. So I am doing exactly what your saying, rebuilding and checking the pressure

 

[vanagonguy]

I'm not sure on the GTI if you need to remove the steering. I've removed the fuel pump on one but don't remember if I had to do anything with the steering. If I did more it in would have only removed the bolts at the top. I acutually have one in my shop right now so I'll be doing that shortly. Engine needs a top end and Im gonna go through everything mto make sure it's all okie dokie or my cousin. I really like the RFIs

I've read that you are really fond of the sea doo rfi ski's, do you think it would be worth it for a guy that owns one to invest in the Candoo scanner?

 

[POPPS]

If your plugs are getting darker you are getting too much fuel with both injectors sticking open,,very unlikely,,,or you have low compresion,,,or you have poor spark,(electrical),I suspect the latter,,electrical,,.load test the battery and remove it from your equation,,,check connections of course,,check for charging next,,,eliminate the rectifier which become frequent issues on injected 2 strokes.,,do a compression test,,,rule that out quickly,,,but sounds electrical,,a fuel deprived cylinder will be lean,,and not have dark plugs,,,and i assume you changed the plugs.

 

[mcoxe77]

If your plugs are getting darker you are getting too much fuel with both injectors sticking open,,very unlikely,,,or you have low compresion,,,or you have poor spark,(electrical),I suspect the latter,,electrical,,.load test the battery and remove it from your equation,,,check connections of course,,check for charging next,,,eliminate the rectifier which become frequent issues on injected 2 strokes.,,do a compression test,,,rule that out quickly,,,but sounds electrical,,a fuel deprived cylinder will be lean,,and not have dark plugs,,,and i assume you changed the plugs.

Yes I have changed the plugs. Batteries have been an issue before. I will be putting it on the maintainer or have it load tested. It was reading 11.9v on a digital test light my mechanic buddy has. How do I eliminate the rectifier?

 

[POPPS]

11.9 is way low,,,put your test leads accross the battery on dc volts,,should be around 12.5 min,,,,then start it up...it should be charging 13 to 14 volts,,,if not,,it will run crappy and not rev,,so the issue would be the rectifiers or the stator,,,they don't often go,,,but the rectifiers on injected ones do,,,start with that and see what happens,,,,,,,your 11,9 volts is quite the tell tale sign of a failing rectifier/regulator,