98 Superjet Hard to Start

I have a stock 98 superjet and I have noticed that if i let the ski sit for a few days its hard to start. It turns over fine but it takes awhile to get it to fire. I have a primer, so it's getting enough gas. I only prime it a few times, so I don't flood the motor. When I finally get the motor to fire, a lot of black oil dots come out the exhaust and it takes a little bit for the ski to warm up. I have never cleaned the carbs, could that be the problem?

When I do get the ski started, it starts up right away after I shut it off. The ski also runs perfect. I have also tried disconnecting the fuel line from the ski after I put the ski away and it seems to solve the problem. When I leave the fuel line connected, and let the ski sit for a day and take the hose off the tank there is air that shoots out, not sure it it's vapor locking and thats the problem or what.
 
sounds like your needle and seats are leaking when it sits and flooding the motor. dont hit the primer at all and just hold the throttle wide open and see if it starts faster that way. the pressure in the tank pushes gas by the leaky needles when it sits. loosen the gas cap when it sits or replace the needles/seats.
 
Alright that makes sense, I'm ready to store the ski for the winter and need to take the carb apart anyway since I plan on putting a factory pipe and need to re jet it.

Thanks for the reply!
 
Location
Minnesota
If anyone else has similar no-start / no-spark problems, here's a quick video on how to determine whether the start/stop switch is causing the problem. It's a common failure on all pre-2021 SJs.
 
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