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I have a '99 GSX-RFI that just won't run right. It starts strong, runs for a few minutes and then stalls out and won't start normally. I can give it a little throttle when engaging the starter (which I know will normally flood a RFI engine) and it will start again. However, when it does start it is very week and will not go above 1750 RPM and will not idle.
FYI: I bought this ski in January and have reason to believe it was not in the water last season. I put a fresh battery on it, removed the plugs (both brown, dry and one showing a little corrosion) and put 2 teaspoons of 2cyl. oil in each cylinder. Without the plugs in place, I hit the starter. The motor turned very slowly at first, at best 4 RPM. I waited 10 minutes hoping the slight movement would lubricate the cylinders, which it had, because when I tried the second time, the motor turned over smoothly. I ran the starter with plugs out for about 15-20 seconds, waited a minute and repeated.
Knowing the motor was not locked up, I installed the plugs and it started on the first try. I did not want to run it dry, so I took it to the lake, where is started right up, and the jet drive appeared to be working fine. I left the ramp at slightly over idle speed out to the No Wake markers (about 1/4 mile) and slowly opened the throttle, the ski accelerated briefly then bogged down so I immediately let off the gas and it stalled. I cranked without touching the throttle, and it would not start. So I added a little throttle, it started but was running rough and would not exceed 1750 RPM. In fact, more throttle seemed to make matters worse.
At the dock, I looked inside the engine compartment, nothing looked out of place, though there was a little white smoke in the lower end below the pipe. I say little, because it was almost unnoticable and quite possibly just a figment of my imagination.
Finally, since I know this question is going to come up, it could be gas. The ski had half a tank, I did not think to drain it and just topped it off with fresh gas.
What should I check? I have at least 30 shops in the area to work with, I just don't want to miss the Labor Day Weekend waiting for the shop to make a simple diagnosis. Anything I can do to rule out the easy fixes would sure help me feel better and may even salvage the long weekend.
Any help would be really appreciated.
FYI: I bought this ski in January and have reason to believe it was not in the water last season. I put a fresh battery on it, removed the plugs (both brown, dry and one showing a little corrosion) and put 2 teaspoons of 2cyl. oil in each cylinder. Without the plugs in place, I hit the starter. The motor turned very slowly at first, at best 4 RPM. I waited 10 minutes hoping the slight movement would lubricate the cylinders, which it had, because when I tried the second time, the motor turned over smoothly. I ran the starter with plugs out for about 15-20 seconds, waited a minute and repeated.
Knowing the motor was not locked up, I installed the plugs and it started on the first try. I did not want to run it dry, so I took it to the lake, where is started right up, and the jet drive appeared to be working fine. I left the ramp at slightly over idle speed out to the No Wake markers (about 1/4 mile) and slowly opened the throttle, the ski accelerated briefly then bogged down so I immediately let off the gas and it stalled. I cranked without touching the throttle, and it would not start. So I added a little throttle, it started but was running rough and would not exceed 1750 RPM. In fact, more throttle seemed to make matters worse.
At the dock, I looked inside the engine compartment, nothing looked out of place, though there was a little white smoke in the lower end below the pipe. I say little, because it was almost unnoticable and quite possibly just a figment of my imagination.
Finally, since I know this question is going to come up, it could be gas. The ski had half a tank, I did not think to drain it and just topped it off with fresh gas.
What should I check? I have at least 30 shops in the area to work with, I just don't want to miss the Labor Day Weekend waiting for the shop to make a simple diagnosis. Anything I can do to rule out the easy fixes would sure help me feel better and may even salvage the long weekend.
Any help would be really appreciated.
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