96 XP Fuel Flooding

[Tman240]

I've searched the forum and found several applicable threads but thought I would try and get it one shot here.

My 96 XP ran well yesterday. After running, it sat for about 1 hour. Went to start it again, it fired up immediately but then just cut out. After trying to crank it again, it wouldn't fire up. Several more attempts...nothing. I pulled the plugs and noticed they were wet..with fuel although could be some oil too. I dried the plugs..tried again. It fired instantly briefly but than died and backfired out the exhaust.

1.) What do you all recommend to get it running again?
2.) Is the root cause of the problem likely to be worn seats / needles in the carb?

Hope you can assist, Tom.

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

It is possible that you need needles and seats, and maybe more. Take it apart and then decide what it needs.

Before you remove anything, check the compression in both clyinders, it should be upwards of 150 psi.

Then remove the carbs and pressure test the neeldles and seats before disassembly. Then disassemble and repair and clean as necessary.

[Tman240]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

Thanks. Will have a check on the compression. I bought the ski used and I am quite certain the carb has never been rebuilt. Seems it would be about time given the year and hours on the machine.
To get the thing going in the meantime, do you recommend cranking with throttle wide open to maximize air?

Tom

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

Of course, if it is flooding, you want all the air you can get in there.

[Tman240]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

Hey Bill,

Pop off test kit...went to WCM site but to no avail...can you email me the pricing. Worthwhile investment to have. Thought I could borrow one from a colleague but he's down and out.

Tom

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

$50.00 plus shipping.

[Tman240]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

The compression tests look good. 156 in each cylinder.

As it was getting dark, I tested for spark in the plugs....nothing. Battery is new and fully charged.

I've heard horror stories about broken pick-ups in that they are not easy to replace? Since I have no spark, is this the likely culprit? If so, any link or procedure to get to it and replace or test to verify?

I'm still going to rebuild the carbs since I confirmed with the original owner it has never been done and the ski is a 96.

Tom

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

The actual changing of the pickup is very straightforward, remove the cover, replace the pickup.

If the pickup bracket is broken, the resistance readings will be good, but if the trigger coil (pickup) is flopping around in there, it cannot work and produce the signal to the CDI. So, testing it may do you no good at all.

If you want to test the pickup, connect the multimeter leads to the white wire and the black/yellow wire in the magneto harness. The resistance should be between 190-300 ohms.

[Tman240]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

Thanks Bill.

Going to clean up the rear electrical box first...not water logged, but clearly wet and rusty. Just maybe I've got some poor grounding going on. After that, will target the pickup.

Tom

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

Yep, that is where your complete ignition system gets it's ground.

[Tman240]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

Just wanted to post the result after much fiddling. Checked everything I could for reasons leading to a no-spark situation. Ended up finding a very small crack on the high end of the ignition coil.

Possible this resulted in a voltage leakage???

In any event, for lack of any other explanation or possibility, I replaced the coil, new plug wires and boots....presto...nice solid spark, thing fires up.

Tom

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

That will do it. Cracked coils do leak spark.

[96gsx]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

any way to test the coil on a 96 GSX?

I am having the exact same issue and am hoping it is the carbs but ya never know I guess.

I have an ohms meter if that helps :)

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: 96 XP Fuel Flooding

Yes there is a resistance value test that can be performed, but it probably will read good even though it may be bad under the load of the engine if it is actually a bad coil.

Connect the ohm meter leads to the two terminals on the coil. It should read between 0.34 to 0.62 ohms resistance.
Note*
An ignition coil with good resistance can still be faulty. Voltage leak can occur at high voltage level which is not detectable with an ohmmeter.