Intermittent bad running 96 gtx

[Jmconcord]

First post seeking out some help with a stumper. (for me anyway).
Had my 96 gtx since new and more good times than bad over the years till now.
I got stuck this year when it acted up and found some fuel lines crumbling bad from primer to carbs,but not the old gray originals.
Against my better judgement,I took it in to a local shop (my last time there!)and just asked for fuel lines and related lines replaced. He did but as usual he went crazy by adding more and more things it needs...until he admitted he didn't or couldn't be sure.
When I picked it up,loaded up for the lake...it ran bad. Gargling sound and no rev when throttled,as if no gas or bad spark type of sound. Brought it back, now he claims the rectifier is none good. All he had to offer was a used one from anote GTX he had. Went straight to launch,same thing...now he won't return my calls.
So I have done everything I can think of to fix and no luck and frustrated ....HARD!
Along the way and most recently,the following items where addressed.....
New plugs,rave valves spotlessly cleaned w/new bellows,o-rings,etc.... Bypassed selector valve,confirmed proper voltage at battery when running,confirmed filter/ bowl assy good, lines routed correctly. ..still same.
Lastly, it starts right up every time,no problem,and at times it will run at idle great/normal,and sometimes i can rev it up and sounds great or like it should...but a few seconds later...blaaahh condition comes back.
Even my last visit to the lake,once in awhile it will take off and run like I stole it.
I feel like it should be easy to find problem,but I'm spent. Any ideas for me? Because all the searching here,I didn't see or find, anyone with an issue like this.?..

Jmconcord

 

[1of500]

Have you pulled the carbs off and cleaned and rebuilt them? What's the compression?

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[Coastiejoe]

Unplug the rectifier and see if the issue goes away.


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[Austrian Rotax]

I would still bet coastie is right, unplug the red wire only though. That used rectifier from another gtx supposedly was probably another bad rectifier laying around the shop lol. If that doesn't work try trimming the plug leads 1/4 and reinstalling it never hurts to have a better connection here anyways.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Even if I am wrong,,, it is a free test... And an easy one.

 

[Mickirig1]

Ever had the carb internal filters cleaned? Does it have an inline fuel filter? How old? Put any dry gas additive in the tank? To remove water in tank. Check the gasket on the water / fuel filter up front. Do a pressure test on the gas system. Shop manual has procedure. Pop off tester works great for testing. Check all gas line connections for tightness. If you can turn the gas line on the connection it needs tightened. Carb may need rebuilt or replaced too.

 

[Jmconcord]

Thanks guys for great ideas to troubleshoot what's going on.
I'll add to my original post and/or clarify a little bit better.
The plug wires have been cut back,the compression tested at 150 per cylinder...but now I question if I did it correctly. (Not sure if throttle was wide open, and plug wire caps were not on the posts).
The shop did say the carbs were rebuilt,and yes that used rectifier he put in was a risk but he did say that it showed proper voltage at the battery where my old one did not...he says!!??
I'm suspect with anybody that I hire to work on all my stuff,but I also realize that Im at a big disadvantage at àlot of things here.
I digress. ...the area of concern to me is all the air pockets/bubbles within the fuel lines.they are new and clear so I can see well running or not. So I did check fuel filter bowl seal and I even dug further and was blowing compressed air into the lower check valve line just to see if tank would expand or could find a leak anywhere related to the fuel system. Don't know if that was a logical test method or not ?
Can't think of anything else that I have tried up to now,but from the replies I got,its clear I have to learn àlot more test procedures you guys mentioned. Like pressure test,pop off test,and the rectifier wires disconnected.
Not sure how ....yet. Oh,and yes there is an in line fuel filter which looks good,and I do have a detached fuel pump which I was told was working properly...but it looks like I have to question everything he says are okay!?
Does any of this help or not?
Last thing though,which is what has me stuck. A-it starts right up everytime,B-sometimes it will rev normally on the trailer,but then acts up again,or C-in the water it shows signs of running for a bit then back to the no power bog or gargle. So I guess what I'm asking is ...based on these symptoms, what can be logically eliminated as a part of this? Air in the fuel line situation. ..that's not normal...right? New lines,on tight,so how else?
But I'll keep checking and re-checking . Can't help feeling that I'm the one being tested here....
Thanks again guys.

 

[Matt Braley]

Clogged internal carb filters would likely act normal on the trailer and show themselves in the water when the engine is under a load.

I say get a good regulator and enjoy. Your symptoms are classic 96 bad regulator(as stated above).

 

[Jmconcord]

Thank you Matt...I will go that route as the 1st step...easy and cheap.
Isn't the test for those is to check voltage at battery while running?...12 to 14 volts good,any higher voltage no good?
Also,do you agree that easy way to know is to disconnect red wire and see if problem goes away?
Where do you get that part? OEM or aftermarket ?
Thanks again.
Jmconcord

 

[Jmconcord]

Thanks Coastiejoe...for the advice. Sure worth a shot,easy,and free like you said.
Jmconcord

 

[Matt Braley]

I always have a used one laying around. I've had good luck with OEM and aftermarket working. Yes when it's running poorly the charge voltage will likely be over 14 when revving. A bad one acts crazy though and will often work a portion of the time so I'd change it regardless since you have a 96 with those symptoms.

 

[Jmconcord]

Good stuff Matt...rectifier it is. I knew it was a bad idea to have that used one shoved down my trhroat but i had no options at the time...but the thing i had going against me is once i got home or on the water and learned how to test the rectifier it never ran well enough to do the test. So i only could check at idle when it even do that. Chasing my tail all along.
Again,thanks for taking the time and helping out.
Jmconcord
,....can i assume you have or had a 86 GTX?,....

 

[Matt Braley]

I've had a few 96GTX's and fixed a couple for other folks. They use the same electronics as the 96GSX's though and I've had many of those. The 96XP electronics are similar to your GTX also and I've had tons of those.

 

[Jmconcord]

Wow... I got lucky finding you...so to speak and tapping into your experience.
You no doubt live on or near the water with all those toys . Nice!
I ordered a new rectifier as you recommended and I'll let you know what happens. ..if you don't mind?
Jmconcord