'97 XP first time riding in a while please help

[SheaMolt]

Today we finally were able to put the ski in the water after waiting for a part for a while. It took a while to start, but once it did we drove it around in the canal. This was the first time it had been in the water for 2-3 years. Anyhow, i drove it out of the canal to the sound, started going faster, worked fine. (Definitely had to warm up so goosing throttle wouldn't kill engine) while i was driving it around, i got it to around 45-50 MPH with myself on it. After riding it for a while, i went back into our canal (different one from where we had launched the ski at) and it had died. I had realized the i was basically on top of a foot of water, and it may have sucked up sand? I started it back up, drove around corner to my house. (Not fast, putting gas too far up would kill the engine.(this problem occurred after I went on shore on accident)) I told my brother what was up, (he's a lot better with engines then me) and he went out and got it running fast again, but he had to choke it and ease up until the engine kicked in, and then we could go fast again. Anyhow, it started running worst, until it just wouldn't turn on at all. I killed the battery which is trickle charging right now trying to get it started (we got it started for a minute or two, then it died again, and the battery was really dead then)

I realized after the battery was dead that the fuel selector (no fuel, fuel, reserve) thing was pointing to the reserve.


So, my question is, is the problem the carburetors, or possibly that we just ran the reserve down until it was bone dry? We'll be working on it / messing with it all day tomorrow. Without my permission my dad put some B12 ChemTool in the gas, could that have messed anything up?


Thanks a lot for reading.
Shea


PS, when i was taking the battery out with the ski in the water, i had put the battery one the shaft with the boot to the water that's connected to the impeller, and it had started leaking if basically anything touched that boot. Is it supposed to be like that?

 

[SheaMolt]

anyone? .

 

[kustomkarl]

Ok...you need to clean the carbs. If your careful you don't rip the diaphragms you should be able to get it back together and have fun this weekend. When you clean the carbs use some carb cleaner and spray the passages in the carb real good. Pay special attention to the small fine filters internally. They should be real clean. The carbs should be adjusted as such...Low Speed 1 1/2turns out...the High Speed screw is "0". It has a plastic cover on it so it only adjusts 1/4 turn more. If you have the old gray fuel lines they will need replacing too as the fuel deteriorates them from the inside out and clogs the small filters. You can get the fuel line at say Auto Zone. Bring a sample for size and measure how much you need. Buy new stainless clamps too if needed. While your there have them LOAD test your battery too. It might show it is fully charged but have a bad cell or 2 and it won't have the amps to start the engine. If its bad replace it. Be sure all the battery connections are clean and have a good connection. The gas addative your dad put in is a waste of time...if the fuel is bad siphon it out and add clean fuel. Change out the spark plugs NGK BR8ES, and gap them to .021"-.024". Top off the oil and go have fun. It might not be too active this weekend as members are away...but I'll be on from time to time as I live on the water and seadoo year round...

Karl

 

[SheaMolt]

What about the fuel reserve thing? could that have been a problem?

Also, how hard is it getting the carburetors on and off?

The battery is new.

 

[kustomkarl]

It might be a fuel valve switch problem too. Add some fresh fuel and see what happens.Chances are if the seadoo has set for a while it needs the carbs cleaned. If you have never cleaned carb before, this is the best suggestion I can give you.

Here is some more information on the "premium membership";
As a premium member you can down load a authentic seadoo manual from the seadoo manual library. In the library is a variety of manuals for almost all years and models. You can view as many as you like on line as a PDF file, or download it and print it for your personal and private use. There are operator manuals and repair manuals for you to do your own repairs on your seadoo. The repair manuals have everything from troubleshooting, repair procedures to winterizing. It contains wire diagrams torque specs and pictures for disassemble and assemble instructions. In the spec sheets it tells everything needed to maintain oil changes, spark plug gaps, carburetor rebuilds and impeller wear ring tolerances. Click on the "Seadoo Manuals" link at the top of the page for more details. If you need any help or get in a jam, we are always here to answer your questions too. Premium members get priority when it comes to getting quick detailed answers.


Karl

 

[SheaMolt]

How do i get premium membership.

 

[kustomkarl]

Click on the Manual link or the red heading on the home page when you first sign on. You can use pay pal to subscribe to it. I believe it is $10.95 for the month. If you want to stop it you need to unsubscribe before the month is up. Let me know if you need more help.

Karl