96 XP sputtering at full throttle

[Tom Bart]

I'm new to this forum but have owned and worked on my PWC's for 4 years. Today while on the Hudson River, I noticed it starting to sputter at full throttle. It runs fine on the low end and mid range. No problem out of the hole either. Just a back-n-forth sputter at full throttle.

I rebuilt the carbs 1.5 years ago. First time this has happened. Any thoughts?

 

[JPX]

Did you replace the grey fuel lines already?

It is possible that you have a clogged fuel selector valve as well.....seems to be a common problem.

 

[Tom Bart]

No I have not replaced the grey fuel lines. I'm just now reading all the posts about the deteriorating. I will clean out the fuel selector valve, replace the fuel lines, and change the plugs and see how that changes the full throttle performance. Have a feeling though one of the carbs is gummed up with some debris.

 

[barium]

check ignition wires

I just had a similar problem with a 97 gti, sputtering at full throttle. Cleaned the carb, changed all the fuel lines with no help. Reterminated the spark plugs wires at the plugs and inside the ignition box and now it works great. Plugs wires do break down over time, and high rpms is usually where you see it.

 

[robin savell lloyd]

I just had a similar problem with a 97 gti, sputtering at full throttle. Cleaned the carb, changed all the fuel lines with no help. Reterminated the spark plugs wires at the plugs and inside the ignition box and now it works great. Plugs wires do break down over time, and high rpms is usually where you see it.

Very good point and thanks for sharing with us. This wire from what I understand can be bought at napa it scews into coil and into the spark plug boot if I am not mistaken. It is also not to pricy from what I have read. :cheers:

 

[Dennis]

misfire

You also might check the charging system for a overcharging condition.
The 96 XP and GTX had a problem with this. The charging system would overcharge at higher RPM'S ( bad voltage regulator) which would have a bad effect on the MPEM and in turn the ski would run bad at higher RPM'S.
If the battery voltage goes above 14.5 volts then the regulator is bad.
DAWG

 

[barbermatt]

i had the same problem with my 96 challenger and i cleaned the fuel selector which was not dirty that i could tell and i cut 1/4 inch off my plug wires that looked pretty bad at the ends and another thing to check is the adjustment on the oil pump mine was out of adjustment and i also checked my fuel screws and they out of specs too!!

 

[Tom Bart]

I have changed all the lines, cleaned the carbs, and new boots and wires on the plugs, new plugs....same high RPM problem.

How do you check the charging system to see if its a bad boltage regulator?