Pressure test, pump and oil tank

[LikeabossTM]

Update, I pulled the carb and checked the ports, all low speed ports are flowing like a fire-hose. As mentioned, the regulator needle lever was about 1mm below the body of the chamber so I bent it back up level. Pop off is now 35-36.

The recently installed carb base gasket looked good, however, I taped some 800 grit sandpaper to a tile and took down the slight squish impressions to flush, and reinstalled it with a little aviation form-a-gasket smeared on that side just in case. Remember that this isn't the thin paper gasket, it's the poly version that's about 3/16" thick so there's lots of material to work with.

Started up in the driveway and pumping wot was crisp while transitioning, so hopefully that's solved the problem I had during the last water test. Crossing my fingers for the next trip to the lake.

 

[LikeabossTM]

Took a trip to the lake after dinner today. Topped off the tank with straight gas, probably took 3/4, so very little oil left in the mix.

Launched, switched the fuel selector on, and hit the button. Three turns of the starter and vroom. So far so good. Idling nicely.

Popped into reverse and gave it a little pump. No problem, backing away nicely. Into forward and idled as well as quarter throttle out to the breakwater, nice and crisp.

Slid through the breakwater gap and rolled on WOT. Huzzah, still crisp and excellent throttle response throughout the range. Off throttle drift and idled nicely. Shut down, floated for a few minutes, started up again, all good. Ran around for 45 minutes, up and down, everything still responsive. Shut down at the launch and ten minutes after putting the tow vehicle into position, started up again to float into the trailer, no issues.

I would say I'm good to go... way to go Sea-Doo forum, tell all your friends, this is the place to be.

 

[mikidymac]

Nice job! Glad you can start enjoying that thing now.

 

[Madpaddler]

I don't do this to save money, NONE of this work is worth my time, even if I were to buy all new parts for everything. I do it to challenge the notion of our disposable society, and because it's a hobby that I find more interesting and fulfilling than sitting in front of the television.

Best thing I've read all week, I couldn't agree more. I've been in the garage till 3am and up at :30 to get my daughter to preschool for 11 days straight not counting last weekend (no school) and couldn't be happier. I'm a perfectionist who likes restoring oldies but goodies to their former glory... not an easy combination to be sure, but highly satisfying!

 

[Madpaddler]

Maybe I'll look into the plastic-compatible epoxy too. All I have on hand is West system from previous boat hull repairs, and I seem to recall it doesn't stick to plastic.

If you're familiar with West Systems, you guys should check out their G/Flex 650 and 655 (thickened). Designed specifically to bond to HDPE polyethylene and quite a bit more flexible than regular epoxy. You have to sand/alcohol treat/flame treat to get the best bond, but the stuff is the only way to go with polyethylene. I am a whitewater kayaking junkie in the off season and it is all we will use on our kayaks. You might trust a weld on a recreational boat, but not on something you're planning on hucking off of a 25 foot waterfall or crashing down some remote boulder run. I have an 8 inch crack directly under my cheeks on my Jackson SuperFun (crosslinked polyethylene, which cannot be welded) that has survived three good, hard seasons without issue.. I even repaired a badly cracked front ATV fender two years ago and so far no sign of delaminating from the original plastic even after a couple of rough years ripping through the Ozarks lol