97 Sea Doo GTX Dead In Middle Of Power Band

[H2O-GUY]

My 97 Sea Doo GTX has an issue in the middle of the power band. It runs fine at low speeds and WOT, but in the middle it almost seems dead. It accelerated fine, then seems really weak in the middle, but if you open up the throttle WOT, then t jumps and takes off. Even going down the lake, when you slow down and let off down to that mid range, you can feel it back way off (almost like putting on brakes). If you accelerate again, it's fine, but it is irritating to have the middle power band that way. I rebuilt the carbs already – no change. New plugs. Tried adjusting the RAVES – no change. Any ideas? I’m stumped. BTW – I bought this one not running, and had to rebuild it, so I’m not sure how long its had this issue. Any help is appreciated.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

Have you ever driven a 800 powered Seadoo before ???

[SeaPoo]

I have a 97 GTX and my middle powerband is strong enough to pull 3 on a tube or 2 skiers. Yours does not seem right.

[H2O-GUY]

Yes, but only one. I also have a 97 XP and it is fine through the whole power band. Something is wrong in that middle power area of this GTX. I also have several older Sea Doos and a Speedster. This is the only thing doing it. I've read several threads about the RAVEs being able to do this, but I can't tell any read diffeence when I adjust them. I noticed the one on the exhaust is dripping a few drops of water when running, but it seems to be functional.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

The one on the exhaust should not be dripping water & will affect running.

[Mr. Bill]

What does "one on the exhaust" mean ?

What part of the exhaust is leaking water, the water regulator on the muffler ? If so, open it up and see if the diaphram is off or has a hole in it. If not, replace the water regulator and it should run just like any other 787 motor would run.

Put the WR from your '97 XP on it and see the difference it makes.

[H2O-GUY]

Yes, the regulator. It looks like the RAVE valves anyway. I was working on this GTX last fall, when it got too cold to ride and test it, so I winterized it. Now warmer weather has me thinking on it again. I forgot what the valve was called for a bit there. So anyway, this regulator would make it cut way back on its power in the mid range? I mean it's instant when it does it - like flipping a switch. Even slowing down, when it does it, you can instantly feel it hold back. If you back off the rpms further, or give it throttle, it runs great, but that no mid-range thing is irratating.

[Mr. Bill]

Well, the regulator is a major part of the transition from lower rpm to higher rpm, right in the middle of the power band as the water going into the tuned exhaust is susposed to be weaned down as the rpm goes up.
So, no matter what the problem turns out to be, leaking water from a water reglator is a big no no and it means either the regulator is warped or that the diaphram is not sealing or the spring inside the cap broke. So, I would fix that first.

[SeaPoo]

What Mr. Bill said. Do that first with the WR and then report back.

[H2O-GUY]

Got one ordered and on the way. We'll see what that does for it. Thanks.