97 XP carb tuning issues

drfong · 07-30-2010, 09:26 PM

Hi all, I've been working on a 97 XP and it had been sitting for a while. Supposedly ran a few years ago but didn't pull well. After 2 years it didn't run at all.

What I did at first was to pump out all the old fuel, flush out the sytem with fresh gas, clean the water seperator/filter, installed new plugs and battery. It started so I took it to the lake and it started right up in the water but when you give it throttle it started to pull then just quits pulling and barely runs. (it doesn't die) I figured the carbs needed cleaning so I ordered kits from SBT and new needle/seat sets. I also have the manual for the ski. Strange thing the 97 manual shows carbs without an accellerator pump but this ski has one. The 98 manual shows the carbs with the pump. Maybe it's a late 97 and they made the change?

Anyway, I rebuilt the carbs, cleaned everything well. Replaced the filters that were very clogged (I assume that is why it would not run before) I re-installed the needles to the same settings they came out, 2 on the low speed and 0 on the high. (also what the manual says but SBT site recomends 1-3/4 on the low) I also ordered a pop-off pump and it it didn't seem to work. Both carbs would leak down right away, not pump up to a point then "pop-off" I also used what seemed like the lighter spring from the kits in both carbs (also SBT recomendation if I understood them right).

The boat started right up so I took it to the lake and put it in the water and it was a little tough to start. I believe the idle may be a bit low and it doesn't want to idle and is very sluggish taking off. Now it runs great above idle once it clears out a bit. but if you slow all the way back to idle it wants to die (again I think the idle is set too low) but even more than that I think it wants to load up and is sluggish taking off again.

I didn't take any tools to the lake with me so I loaded back up and went home. So here is my question. Do you think it sounds like just the slow speed setting even though it's right where it was before? Do you think the springs I used are too weak and causing it to flood? Any other probable causes.

Thanks

Water Worx · 07-30-2010, 09:48 PM

Is your accel pump working ??

drfong · 07-31-2010, 12:41 PM

I'll have to check. I'm not sure.

drfong · 08-07-2010, 05:30 PM

accel pump is working, small amount of fuel comes out the nozels when you open the throttle.

The thing really doesn't want to idle. I went out and tried to start it but it would not start. I pulled the plugs and they were very wet. Replaced them and it started, but won't idle. Got to where it would not start again. Pulled plugs and they were very wet. Left the plugs out and spun the motor and quite a bit of fuel/oil was coming out of the plug holes. I turned the slow speed screws in 1/4 turn to 1-3/4. Still the same. It runs if you give it throtle and clears out. If you let off it dies and floods and won't start without replacing the plugs. When you go to start it you have to hold partial throtle until it starts and it will clear out and then run and rev fine until you try and let it idle again.

I'm about to pull the carbs back off and change to the heavier springs. Any other ideas?

drfong · 08-07-2010, 07:05 PM

Just some follow up. Pulled the carbs and put the original springs and levers back in. Now when testing with pop of guage, both carbs hold pressure without leaking but still never "pop". I'm going to put them back on and se what happens. This boat is a 97, vin ends in 97. The manual for a 97 does not show carbs with an accel. pump. It also says to set the slow speed at 1 turn. This ski has carbs with an accel pump and originally they were set at 2 turns. The 98 manual says to set them at 2 turns. Does anyone know if Seadoo does mid year model changes? I guess I'll try it at 2 turns out because of the acell pump carbs and the fact that's where they were befor I ever started. Just confused as to why it is not as described in 97 manual.

seadoo_newby · 08-07-2010, 08:39 PM

Did you make sure to spray wd40 in the hole before you put the needle in? and tested the popoff? You should be able to easily check the fuel pump for proper operation when it's removed. The low speed adjuster should be set at 1-3/4 turns. THE MANUAL IS WRONG!

seadoo_newby · 08-07-2010, 08:41 PM

also it sounds like you need to turn up your idle?

drfong · 08-08-2010, 07:04 PM

Thanks for the reply. I will try it at 1-3/4 turns. I took it to the lake today and it runs pretty good. Idles ok and then takes off ok. I thought it was done but when coming back into the ramp I had to idle in and could not rev it back up before shuting it down. When I got it on the trailer (still in the water) it would not start right back up. I had to hold partial; trottle for it to start and it had loaded up again. Once it started it eventually cleared out and reved up. Then it would start right back up and work fine. It was only after the long idle in to shore and not being able to rev it up that I had a problem. I was thinking that turning in the slow speed screws should take care of it as it is really close. Runs great other than this one issue.

Thanks