SabrToothSqrl
Well-Known Member
So, as many of you know back 3 seasons ago I bought a 2002 XP from a guy who knew nothing about it. Engine was blown by him, rebuild by Don's Krapasaski in Hallam, PA (they do $hit work). Anyway, warranty until March. Engine blew a top end in May. (maybe june).
Replaced top end, however the engine had a modified head. It was shaved and had 2 more cooling lines than usual (normal is zero). I replaced that w/a factory head as I thought it was part of the issue. I wanted reliability.
Engine ran well, then did a lean run out on me. I didn't react fast enough. Thought it was ok, then the top end went. AGAIN.
Next got the top end redone. Engine ready to go. ONE TANK. ONE MOTHER F'N TANK later: Crank shaft goes. PTO side. what a noise that was.
In between all these the Stator fails as well, and the bilge pump. But not while the engine was out or anything. so that was fun.
Then I use SES engines to rebuild my engine, get it in and snap the gosh darn female birth giving piece of silly darn crap that is the TPS setup (oil pump side). By the time I get a new one, it's time to winterize it.
Spring 2012 (now): engine pulls strong, broken in, no issues... can't pass 6k regularly. I know the carbs are 10 years old and have seen salt water. NEW CARBS! (not cheap). I have my buddy inspect them (at this point I didn't do carbs). He said good to go. Put them on. Engine won't pass 6k, plugs look like it's running rich. Verify carb settings (needles) go through OVER 16 plugs. Engine SES did for me in my 99 GTX LTD runs like a freaking clock. hits 6950 WOT EVERY TIME, EVERYWHERE.
Engine in my XP does not. I call SES, they, without hesitation offer to rebuild it. I have another engine from them in my basement.
IN goes another engine. (and yes I've checked RAVEs, solenoids, valves, water reg, plugs, wires, every damn thing you could ever want to check has been REPLACED, NEW TWICE. Bilge pump stops working... traced to a bad ground! that was fun to find!
New engine; SAME issue. Tom at SES suggest new reeds, I throw in some carbon tech ones and new plugs, works like a charm... then within 1/4 tank, stuck at 6K.
I find the TPS switch isn't being activated (0v WOT)... fix that. new plugs, issue fixed! Ohh no, no it's not.
Out of desperation I start looking for another 02 XP w/low hours. As neither my wife nor I can take this any more. I've pissed away THOUSANDS on this ski.
So, finally I say hey I have 2 sets of carbs on my bench. I was going to mail them out to Doc to take a look at, get a 2nd opinion. I saw my old ones and thought how hard can this be?
I took apart a single carb. found the jets, pop off jet, and the filter. ok, that was fun. I read the #s on the jets from the carbs that came with the ski. NEITHER JET IS RIGHT FOR A STOCK ENGINE. OHH SNAP. THREE FRACKING YEARS OF TIME, MONEY, STRESS, and temptation to toss the ski in a dumpster after using a sledge on it?!
Open the new carbs: NEITHER JET IS RIGHT FOR A STOCK SKI. WTF?!
I toss in the right jets; $5.00 later.
ENGINE SCREAMS. It will actually cavitatate the freaking prop! If the engine is warm and I punch it from IDLE. it will SLAM up to 7,200 RPM, then settle back when it grips the water! I've NEVER seen a 951 do that. This is a NEW Concord 15/20 and NEW wear ring / jet pump. It won't always do this, usually it grabs 6,200ish RPM then rides up to 6800-6900 WOT.
Ran 2.5 tanks though it, plugs look GREAT, pulls spec of 6800 WOT (not 7k due to concord), runs perfectly next to my 02 GTX that has 50 hours on it. WOT is 64, touching 65 GPS.
I've never been so happy as yesterday at Raystown lake... or so sore. SO many huge boats to follow.
Thank you to SES engines who, without missing a beat, tried to trouble shoot and even rebuild an engine based upon my stupidity. Also thanks to my wife for not leaving me...
This just reinforces my don't trust anyone, and if you want it done right, do it your self.
Now, I do carbs. There isn't anything hard about them, they are just parts. Clean yours today.
Replaced top end, however the engine had a modified head. It was shaved and had 2 more cooling lines than usual (normal is zero). I replaced that w/a factory head as I thought it was part of the issue. I wanted reliability.
Engine ran well, then did a lean run out on me. I didn't react fast enough. Thought it was ok, then the top end went. AGAIN.
Next got the top end redone. Engine ready to go. ONE TANK. ONE MOTHER F'N TANK later: Crank shaft goes. PTO side. what a noise that was.
In between all these the Stator fails as well, and the bilge pump. But not while the engine was out or anything. so that was fun.
Then I use SES engines to rebuild my engine, get it in and snap the gosh darn female birth giving piece of silly darn crap that is the TPS setup (oil pump side). By the time I get a new one, it's time to winterize it.
Spring 2012 (now): engine pulls strong, broken in, no issues... can't pass 6k regularly. I know the carbs are 10 years old and have seen salt water. NEW CARBS! (not cheap). I have my buddy inspect them (at this point I didn't do carbs). He said good to go. Put them on. Engine won't pass 6k, plugs look like it's running rich. Verify carb settings (needles) go through OVER 16 plugs. Engine SES did for me in my 99 GTX LTD runs like a freaking clock. hits 6950 WOT EVERY TIME, EVERYWHERE.
Engine in my XP does not. I call SES, they, without hesitation offer to rebuild it. I have another engine from them in my basement.
IN goes another engine. (and yes I've checked RAVEs, solenoids, valves, water reg, plugs, wires, every damn thing you could ever want to check has been REPLACED, NEW TWICE. Bilge pump stops working... traced to a bad ground! that was fun to find!
New engine; SAME issue. Tom at SES suggest new reeds, I throw in some carbon tech ones and new plugs, works like a charm... then within 1/4 tank, stuck at 6K.
I find the TPS switch isn't being activated (0v WOT)... fix that. new plugs, issue fixed! Ohh no, no it's not.
Out of desperation I start looking for another 02 XP w/low hours. As neither my wife nor I can take this any more. I've pissed away THOUSANDS on this ski.
So, finally I say hey I have 2 sets of carbs on my bench. I was going to mail them out to Doc to take a look at, get a 2nd opinion. I saw my old ones and thought how hard can this be?
I took apart a single carb. found the jets, pop off jet, and the filter. ok, that was fun. I read the #s on the jets from the carbs that came with the ski. NEITHER JET IS RIGHT FOR A STOCK ENGINE. OHH SNAP. THREE FRACKING YEARS OF TIME, MONEY, STRESS, and temptation to toss the ski in a dumpster after using a sledge on it?!
Open the new carbs: NEITHER JET IS RIGHT FOR A STOCK SKI. WTF?!
I toss in the right jets; $5.00 later.
ENGINE SCREAMS. It will actually cavitatate the freaking prop! If the engine is warm and I punch it from IDLE. it will SLAM up to 7,200 RPM, then settle back when it grips the water! I've NEVER seen a 951 do that. This is a NEW Concord 15/20 and NEW wear ring / jet pump. It won't always do this, usually it grabs 6,200ish RPM then rides up to 6800-6900 WOT.
Ran 2.5 tanks though it, plugs look GREAT, pulls spec of 6800 WOT (not 7k due to concord), runs perfectly next to my 02 GTX that has 50 hours on it. WOT is 64, touching 65 GPS.
I've never been so happy as yesterday at Raystown lake... or so sore. SO many huge boats to follow.
Thank you to SES engines who, without missing a beat, tried to trouble shoot and even rebuild an engine based upon my stupidity. Also thanks to my wife for not leaving me...
This just reinforces my don't trust anyone, and if you want it done right, do it your self.
Now, I do carbs. There isn't anything hard about them, they are just parts. Clean yours today.
. 
