96 SPX Electrical Issue

[Stevie96xp]

I just installed a new (refurbished) rotary valve cover from SBT, I checked the clearance before I installed it and looked really good - maybe I installed it wrong or the gasket is out of place so I'm getting an air leak. I'll probably have to pull the carb again tomorrow and check. its like it wants to fire, but its only firing part of the time.

Ok check your plugs too see if there wet could be fouled

 

[Adskie]

I pulled both plugs last night and they were both wet. I have a new set if plugs, as well as a new set of plug boots, probably a good maintenance item to do anyway.

 

[Stevie96xp]

I pulled both plugs last night and they were both wet. I have a new set if plugs, as well as a new set of plug boots, probably a good maintenance item to do anyway.

Yep exactly

 

[burtshaver2021]

I know for me it’s hard to follow this thread, maybe a quick recap of what you’ve done and what issue you are currently having. From what I’ve read it sounds like you rebuilt the engine? Sorry to lay to look back at the year, 717? You got a new rotary valve cover from SBT? You have replaced the starter Now your having a hard start issue? Is this all correct? Has it ever started right up? I mean started instantly when you press the start button? So obviously with a fresh rebuild compression is good, did you have the rotary valve off? Maybe it’s out a tooth? Have you rebuilt the carbs? 90 percent of the time it’s fuel/air related

 

[Adskie]

I know for me it’s hard to follow this thread, maybe a quick recap of what you’ve done and what issue you are currently having. From what I’ve read it sounds like you rebuilt the engine? Sorry to lay to look back at the year, 717? You got a new rotary valve cover from SBT? You have replaced the starter Now your having a hard start issue? Is this all correct? Has it ever started right up? I mean started instantly when you press the start button? So obviously with a fresh rebuild compression is good, did you have the rotary valve off? Maybe it’s out a tooth? Have you rebuilt the carbs? 90 percent of the time it’s fuel/air related

Thanks for the reply burtshaver2021. pretty close to the right recap. I rebuilt the engine a year ago (top and bottom), new hoses all around. had it running perfect out of the water. ran it in water ran fine at first, then would start harder, then eventually wouldn't start.
couldn't get it to turn over, discovered the starter was likely the culprit, but fried the battery and the solenoid. replaced the battery and the solenoid this fall, rebuilt the starter. so we're good there. went to start again out of the water and running rough. pulled the rotary cover off, and had way too much clearance. explains the hard start in the water. so I purchased a new cover from SBT, sent in my old core, thinking this should finally do it. put it all back together, fired once great, now i can't get it to start at all. Compression is good, its possible I am off a tooth on the rotary valve, so I may need to open it up again to check. I haven't rebuilt the carbs, but I did have it running perfectly not too long ago, so I don't think its the carbs. its possible i missed something when I put the rotarty cover back on and I'm getting an air leak.
I think I'm going to first check my install of the rotarty valve cover and the timing, mkae sure thats good. also replacing the spark plugs and boots. Then if all that checks out and still having hard start, I will move to rebuilding carbs.
Any other advice?

 

[mikidymac]

Seep 1 on any rebuild....Rebuild the carbs. Plugs are wet then too much fuel.

 

[burtshaver2021]

Thanks for the reply burtshaver2021. pretty close to the right recap. I rebuilt the engine a year ago (top and bottom), new hoses all around. had it running perfect out of the water. ran it in water ran fine at first, then would start harder, then eventually wouldn't start.
couldn't get it to turn over, discovered the starter was likely the culprit, but fried the battery and the solenoid. replaced the battery and the solenoid this fall, rebuilt the starter. so we're good there. went to start again out of the water and running rough. pulled the rotary cover off, and had way too much clearance. explains the hard start in the water. so I purchased a new cover from SBT, sent in my old core, thinking this should finally do it. put it all back together, fired once great, now i can't get it to start at all. Compression is good, its possible I am off a tooth on the rotary valve, so I may need to open it up again to check. I haven't rebuilt the carbs, but I did have it running perfectly not too long ago, so I don't think its the carbs. its possible i missed something when I put the rotarty cover back on and I'm getting an air leak.
I think I'm going to first check my install of the rotarty valve cover and the timing, mkae sure thats good. also replacing the spark plugs and boots. Then if all that checks out and still having hard start, I will move to rebuilding carbs.
Any other advice?

Being as it started once and ran great with the new rotary valve cover then I would say your rotary valve timing is good. There were a few instances while I was reading the thread when I thought fuel. Not sure when the last time you checked the compression was? But if it hasn’t been checked since losing power I would check it again now. I would check the rotary valve timing since it will cost nothing, check the compression, if both of those are good I would rebuild the carb at this point, as always back to OEM kit from osdparts.com and follow mikidymac’s carb rebuild thread. Don’t skimp on the testing part of the carb rebuild. And if your not already, I think it’s good advice to run 40:1 to 50:1 premix besides the oil injection till your positive the oil injection is working as it should.

 

[Stevie96xp]

My guess is the carbs are flooding over since the plugs are wet. Had carbs hang over the winter and cause the ski to to flood over next summer