96 XP Runs great out of water, sputters and dies in water

[colin_farrell]

Hey guys Ive tried almost everything I can think of at the moment on my xp, a few weeks ago it started running weird. as im going through the no wake zone it runs fine at idle just above idle then once I give it gas to get up on plane it would cut out similar to a fouled plug. after letting it sit for a minute or 2 it would run fine the rest of the time. progressively has gotten worse from then. letting it idle longer then a minute or 2 would foul again and have to wait. then 2 weeks ago out on another lake it took an unusual amount of time to even start (minute or 2 of cranking) then was running good for about 2 hours and then out of no where started acting like fouled plug and eventually died. on the lake I pulled the seat and a mechanic friend of mine and I found the plug boots had cracked metal caps inside so we managed to bend the metal enough to snap onto the plug a little tighter. still would not run very well, but after a few minutes it started and headed straight for the launch, at the launch idling around waiting to dock (small launch and small dock) it died and would not restart, after a minute or 2 of that it would not even crank over. got it home and checked forum and checked a few things, including checking main fuel filter (very small amount of debris) changed the plugs and plug boots and cut back the plug wires 3/8" to get a better connection. started it up in the garage and ran great. put it in the lake and ran for about 20 seconds and acting like a fouled plug and sputtering and making a puffing(??) sound as if its backfiring or going back through the intake. unplugged the red wire from the rectifier and tried it again and still would not stay running in water but revs out when its out of water.

From reading posts and threads it may seem as though it is one of a few things, possibly plugged carb filters, blown base/headgasket, something electrical?

as for some background on the ski so theres no confusion, since buying it at the beginning of the season I have gone through alot of it to make sure it was ready to run this season. changed plugs, removed and cleaned carbs (did not rebuild) cleaned carb filters, replaced 95% of the gray fuel lines, new fuel and oil filter, changed oil to seadoo oil, new jet pump fluid and anti rattle kit, cleaned rave valves.

Any help is greatly appreciated

 

[colin_farrell]

Just as an update, have checked compression which is 150-160 each side. Filters in carbs are clear, fuel selector is clear. Am thinking this may be a spark issue.. Does anyone have any idea?

 

[Bills86e]

needles & seats are leaking, carb diaphrams are shot.

 

[Kal Brigger]

Sounds really similar to what mine is doing after rebuilding both carbs with Mikuni rebuild kits and paying extra attention to needle and valve adjustments.
Pop-off tests and checking needle position is flush and not touching diaphragm confirms this.
My next step is clipping the plug wires and replacing base gaskets with name brand versions.
I replaced my fuel selector with a new one but not sure if it's working or not due to it running even in off position. I say "not sure" because I wasn't paying 100% attention to the selector while riding, only noticed it in the off position after on the trailer but can't remember switching it.

So, is there an easy/safe way of testing selector?
And any other ideas as to why mine is running similar to Colin's?
Mine is a '95 XP 717