rotary valve

[alphahoser]

I have a 96 Sea Doo XP and I am having a starting problem. Sometimes it fires right up other times it doesn't want to start at all. I am being told it is a rotary valve problem. Could this be correct? Also if I replace the rotary valve should I take the cover to a machine shop and have it milled down? And one last question, is there any gaskets that need to be replaced when you replace the valve?

[Bill O'Neal1]

Re: rotary valve

I think you need to explain the symptoms of the starting problem with a bit more details.

Does the motor turn over using the starter, but not fire up and run sometimes, but other times it fires up and runs? Does it run good and smooth when it starts? or badly and erraticly? When it will not start, does it get strong spark at the sparkplugs?

Has any work been done to the XP lately? Like having the carbs rebuilt ? New pistons?

What is the compression ? Anywhere near 150 psi in both clyinders?

Typically, if a rotarty valve goes bad, it won't run at all.

[julrich]

Re: rotary valve

I had a simular problem on my 96 xp and was not getting any spark when it wouldnt start. It ended up being the ignition module.

[alphahoser]

Re: rotary valve

Bill, To answer some of your questions it always turns over but it seems if it is sitting for a while it will fire right up and sometimes stay running nice and other times it will run a little then shut off. Also when it does run good for a while you can go out and ride for a while if you shut it down a lot of the times you go to restart it and it will do one of three things, either start right up(not usually), or it will start and be real sluggish if you go to give it throttle, or it will just crank over and not fire a all. If it does start up but is sluggish some times you can feather the throttle a little and it will eventually get the balls up and go. I am trying to explain this the best I can but it has been since last June since I got pissed and parked it. The dealer that usually services it told me that he thinks that it is the rotary valve and the cover should be machined if I replace it, but this is after I already had it in there about 4 or 5 times and they kept telling me the carbs needed adjusted and they would do that and charge me about 100 dollars and send me on my way just to have the same problem come back again.

[Danny Roszell]

Re: rotary valve

Maybe your needles and seats are leaking flooding the chamber with fuel and that is why it is taking so long to clear out once you get it started. jm$.02

Try turning the fuel valve off while it is sitting and back on when you go to start it.

Have you pulled the plugs out after a starting problem to see what they look like, wet, dry or black?

[1fastski.com]

Re: rotary valve

i dont know how far littletown PA is from EHT NJ but if you wanted to bring the ski down i can fix it once and for all for you :-) it should not take more then a few hrs unless parts are needed . most of the time i have whats needed . the rotory problem is very unlikey .

[alphahoser]

Re: rotary valve

If I remember correctlly the plugs were wet thats why if I cleaned them off it seemed to start better. Also to answer 1fastski's question Littlestown is south central PA just 10 miles from Gettysburg if you look at a map.

[1fastski.com]

Re: rotary valve

your just a hop jump and skip away haha 6hrs 11min

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: rotary valve

Rebuild your carbureators, and replace the needles and seats.

[julrich]

Re: rotary valve

Also replace all of your fuel lines. to check cut about 1 inch off the end of one of the lines. Slit it open and see if there is a brown tint to the inside of the line. the grey tempo lines are known to break down. restricting fuel.