97 GTX "Ran out of gas" at WOT but on reserve it worked ok

[SteveontheLake]

Just completed 7 hours of break in after rebuild on my new-to-me 97 GTX. Carbs rebuilt with genuine Mikuni kits, new fuel lines, fuel filter, springs (wrong ones were in carb, again new ones Mikuni) popoff set etc.
I finally started running it WOT a little and after a minute it died like it ran out of fuel. Started right back up and was able to idle back toward home for a few seconds then did it again. This happened a few times til the battery almost died so I switched it to reserve and it made it home (whew!). It had a half tank of fuel and I'm thinking the fuel selector is the culprit. My boat isnt running so I'm not messing with it for a couple days til my boat is back running to rescue me if needed.
Does this sound like the culprit or are there other things to look at? I have been buying genuine parts whenever possible, does the same apply to the selector? Seems the OEM ones are harder to come by than SBT or other manufacturers. Any advice appreciated!

 

[GGuillot]

Does this sound like the culprit or are there other things to look at? I have been buying genuine parts whenever possible, does the same apply to the selector? Seems the OEM ones are harder to come by than SBT or other manufacturers. Any advice appreciated!

You could try a fuel selector bypass and ride for a while and see what happens. The fuel selectors go bad and suck air or flow issues, and cause problems so it's not uncommon. Yeah, the OEM's are getting harder to find, and it's deceiving when the aftermarkets use the same part number. I got a bad new aftermarket one where the rubber insert inside twisted causing an issue, after a couple rides I did the bypass to identify it. I took it apart fixed the rubber position and put some grease in it so it would turn easier. I bought another aftermarket again for my 96' GSX when doing the build, the one I received seemed to have very small holes for the fuel to pass through. Before installing, I drilled it out for better flow, inspected it, and greased the rubber insert. No problems from either one on my skis.

If you get the aftermarket like I did, just have a good look at it, don't just slap it on, they're not perfect in anyway. Good luck finding the OEM, both times I thought that's what I was buying.

 

[JJinSC]

I can’t find OEM for my model anymore. I tried an aftermarket and it failed after one season. My fuel gauge works so I just bypassed and have never looked back.

 

[SteveontheLake]

The ones I've seen that claim to be SeaDoo brand say "Made in Taiwan" on the side...doesnt seem legit but could be I guess.

 

[tobytd]

WSM 006-600 ...1/4”

 

[emspjay]

The last new OEM one I purchased I got from Westside Powersports they might still have some.They don't just sell used parts.

 

[SteveontheLake]

FWIW, Westside has REAL brand new SeaDoo in the box selectors $50 shipped. That's what I'm gonna do. Even if that's not the problem, being 23 years old, I'm sure it could use it. After all, what's another $50 after buying a broken ski (looks brand new, only had 143 hours) and dumping $1,000 into it already ?

 

[MoDawg73]

....After all, what's another $50 after buying a broken ski (looks brand new, only had 143 hours) and dumping $1,000 into it already ?

Only $1000?? You are a miracle worker

I’m at about $1600... but they sure are fun!
Ken

 

[SteveontheLake]

Well, tbh...that's what I tell my wife It's closer to 1.200 I'm sure. Havent done a final accounting yet