97 gtx hits 55 then drops to around 40mph

[turtlemandan]

any ideas why the ski when first starting it out shoots out like a cannon but if going full throttle it starts to slow down after around a minute or so going strong? my luck this is something expensive aint it! hahaha well im open to hearing of what you experts my think or have had similar problems also note sometimes it would just speed back up after a moment it weird and im weird so i guess that thing was made for me! hahahaah thanks guys hope you can help!-Dan

 

[turtlemandan]

just checkin in to see if anyone had an idea what maybe going on with this thing? from the sounds of it from reading other post it looks like i should check the compression in the spark plug areas but to make sure the circuit is properly grounded is this correct?-Dan

 

[Hokiebob]

I'd check the fuel system--filters in the carbs, etc. The grey fuel lines are bad as well and can leave a glue-like film on the carb filters. Sounds to me like it runs out of fuel, then at lower speeds builds back up for another WOT run.

 

[turtlemandan]

wondering if its ok to put fuel injector cleaner in this ski? i looked at the fuel filter in the front of the hull and it did have alot of gunk in it so i cleaned that out and want to put fuel injector in the gas will this be ok? also was wondering i heard you can hook a garden hose to your ski to run it how is this done? thanks -dan

 

[JPX]

That filter you can see inside the engine compartment is UPSTREAM from two smaller filters inside the carbs. If you had garbage in the external filter, then you probably have garbage in the carbs' filters as well.

The 97 GTX does not readily lend itself to a simple carb-to-fuel injection swap. Later GTX models got various forms of fuel injection (archaic by automotive standards until the 4TECs).

The good news is that aside from junk in the carbs, the Mikuni carbs that are in all of the Seadoos of this generation are very simple and reliable. If it wasn't for those grey fuel hosing deteriorating, the carbs would probably still be running just fine.

The other thing to check is the RAVE valves. These are under the two black caps with the red centers. These can easily be removed with a hex wrench. The metal RAVE blades get carbon crusted and goopy. Cleaning these off and reinstalling them may provide some immediate improvement.

 

[turtlemandan]

The metal RAVE blades get carbon crusted and goopy, now how would i go about cleaning them shold they need it? anything special or just taking a paper towl and wiping them down and then just reinstall them, also about the fuel injector cleaner i shouldnt go with that or should i? then last the carb is that located behind the black box (air box?) and does that just pop off? and the fliters just be behind or beside it? thanks again i really appreciate this info im just a beginner about all of this thanks again-Dan