97 spx tuning after carb rebuild

[Hokiebob]

hello-I'm new here and just got a 97 SPX. It had the dreaded grey fuel lines so I have replace all lines and rebuilt the carbs (actually disassembled, inspected, cleaned filters and put back together w/o a new kit). The unit started very shortly after cranking out of the water. I hooked up a hose and ran in in the driveway for a while but when I attempted to give it some gas, it seemed to miss and smoke badly. Could this be a tune problem or am I simply hitting the rev limiter. Plug inspection looked a tad fouled. I'm pretty sure I got the oil injector cable right as I didn't move the adjuster nut when removing. Since I don't have a tach, I don't have a good way to know if it was on the limiter or not. I really want to take it to the water but its not terribly close so I want to cover my bases before I start.

Thanks for any help. I've searched the web and this forum and haven't found anything that helps me on this one.

 

[seadoosnipe]

smoke....

The smoke can be coming from fluids you may have used in cleaning.

If you followed the carb rebuild guide, then your best to put it in the water for final adjustment. I do this every season when I rework my carbs.......its just to hard to get a good ear on the engine, without any torque on the engine.

I nose my boat into the bank, leave at idle and make low speed adjustments and idle stop adjustments so the engine idles good.

Then, I give about half throttle, listen for any missing sounds and if needed, will crack the low speed just a tad more. At mid throttle, your right in between the high speed and low speed fuel flow. Then, of course, I'll goose it to WOT for a second or so to check the high end.

If you rebuilt the carb, I hope you checked and double checked to make sure your lever at the needle valve was level with the jet block assembly base. That's the proper position for the needle to open and allow fuel into the chamber, under the jets.....................:cheers:

 

[Hokiebob]

Thanks--I did check the needle arms so I should be good. When you first put it in the water, do you leave the air box off or can you get to the adjustments w/it on?