Super Jet Backfire on start up, EPIC?

[gtoking1972]

Not to bash ATP or EPIC but I d like to get an idea on how many people have or had faulty units causing the same issues I am describing below from my original post? I d like to get a running tally so that if you are fighting the same issue you can follow this thread and hopefully get some answers or have an open discussion on what you did to correct the problem. Thank you in advance for your reply's!

List:
1. Gtoking1972/FlightRisk
2. OCD Solutions
3. MASSEY
4. waxhead
5. Shawn_NJ
6. Friend of Shawn_NJ not an X-H20 member
7. Friend of Shawn_NJ not an X-H20 member
8. Special fx
9.Nuklear6

10. Jetmanic (New HX3)

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Hey guys so after a couple of weekends riding the ski seems to have started to backfire right on start up and in the water ONLY. It doesn't do this all the time but maybe 70% of start ups and I just got done putting a set of crank seals in the motor last night possibly due to this issue. I searched but haven't come across much but I thought I remember reading a thread awhile back about how the EPIC was causing backfires. Anyone having this issue?

Since I just did crank seals the timing is/was at TDC, flywheel looked great, carbs were just gone through however I dont remember the ski backfiring as much with the stock 44's.

Motor- 771 BB, Epic, Blackjacks, ADA head, #zero flywheel

 

[baxt3r]

http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/132028-Superjet-Backfire-Not-a-normal-backfire!

Might not be much help, but its a start.

 

[Idok]

70% backfire rate?

its possible you have a leaky needle/seat in the new carb setup, but those epics are NOTORIOUS for what you are describing

 

[gtoking1972]

http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/132028-Superjet-Backfire-Not-a-normal-backfire!

Might not be much help, but its a start.

Thanks baxt3r. I read that post but my backfire seems to be a bit different. Its not loud like a gun shot or anything of that nature and the ski wont even backfire out of the water, its only in the water and as soon as you hit the starter button.

It doesn't even seem to do it if I pull the throttle a little bit before hitting the starter.

 

[gtoking1972]

70% backfire rate?

its possible you have a leaky needle/seat in the new carb setup, but those epics are NOTORIOUS for what you are describing

70% as in it only backfires sometimes on start up. N/S are brand new. Just something else to add it does not backfire on the trailer or at any other point in riding it, its just on start up. As far as the EPIC is concerned is their a flash or update to fix the issue?

 

[OCD Solutions]

Any idea what version you are running now? There have been a couple different flashes sent out since the beginning to fix such issues, including one for improved timing when used with a TBM flywheel.

I have copies of a few different flashes and I just requested the latest one for the TBM. I can share mine or you can email Chris directly.

 

[gtoking1972]

Any idea what version you are running now? There have been a couple different flashes sent out since the beginning to fix such issues, including one for improved timing when used with a TBM flywheel.

I have copies of a few different flashes and I just requested the latest one for the TBM. I can share mine or you can email Chris directly.

I cant remember the exact version but it was updated when the engine was built last February. If something has come out since than I am not on the latest version.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Mine has been working without issue since new so I stopped chasing updates. The latest one I have uploaded to mediafire is from June of 2010 so I will have to look when I get home and see if there was another since then. If not, you should already have the latest version loaded.

It wouldn't hurt to load the latest and greatest anyways.

 

[58vwragtop]

I think you have version V01-11. Thats the info on my computer when I reflashed it.

 

[gtoking1972]

Just an update. Replaced the crank seals this past week, rode the ski all weekend and sure enough the motor blew another set of crank seals after maybe 4-5 hours of ride time. It only produces the backfire symptoms when the ski is hot and needs to be re-started. Can anyone confirm that V01-11 is the latest version or am I in need of an update?

 

[OCD Solutions]

That is the last update I was able to find until a couple days ago. The only thing newer is the flash for compatability with TBM flywheels.

We were never able to track down a specific cause but there is definately an electrical gremlin that the EPIC does not play well with. If you have another CDI to test out, I strongly urge you to swap over and rule it out before you spend too much time troubleshooting. If it is the EPIC, you will drive yourself crazy long before you ever resolve it.

 

[MASSEY]

I have/had this problem, Changed my epic out to std cdi with limiter removed and is now fine, Except a loud bendix/flywhell noise every so oftern, I tried for at least 8 months to get the epic working for my ski and had no luck was told it was my stator, my start stop switch my coil, my connections but could never get it to A. Start cleanly (without some sort of backfire/cracking sound) and B. Turn the ski off and sometimes it would just randomly run like , blow smoke and turn off, I tested everything I could and just had to take it out in the end and so far so good!

Shame really as on the odd occasion it did run I ran well and sounded awsome! Im keen to try the HX3 though!

 

[gtoking1972]

Thanks for the reply's and tips. The ski runs so great with the EPIC and I d hate to go to a stock cdi but to rule out the epic I will give it a shot and see if the problem persists. I did some real digging last night and the "fix" is to go back to a stock cdi. It seems like some of the EPIC's have several issues and some work just fine.

I d love to try the HX3 and see if the problem is corrected as it is supposed to be. BUT I d hate to waste another $400 to run into the same issue.

 

[OCD Solutions]

This topic is well documented already and the HX3 will work just fine. My buddy Scott fought his EPIC for over a year. He swapped every single component in his ski and still had an issue. We each had an epic, they shipped over on the same boat and both worked perfect in my ski and others, just not Scotts. Unfortunately the unit was lent out and fried before we were able to isolate the offending component.

If was for this history that Scott was selected as one of the test riders. The new unit has performed flawlessly so far in the exact same ski with all the same electronics.

 

[FlightRisk]

This is my old ski that's being described in this thread, and I'm sorry you are continuing to face these issues with this EPIC. I chased several problems myself with this EPIC (as mentioned above these are documented). What is hard for me to believe is no solution has been offered to anyone having this problem than buying a new unit.

What about those that still have this problem that weren't selected as test riders?

 

[waxhead]

I had this same issue as well went backwards and forwards to get fixed with new flashes as well. 18 months later I just gave up and put in a new mod enhancer the ski went awesome after that. I can't afford to go buying one of the new ignitions and potentially have the same issue. It's an enhancer for me

 

[badvinny]

I never had that problem on my old Epic, just installed the new HX3 epic and it seems perfect and even better, less tuning issues for me with this one. Btw, I have had 3 enhancers take a dump over the years so they aren't a godsend either!

 

[FlightRisk]

I never had that problem on my old Epic, just installed the new HX3 epic and it seems perfect and even better, less tuning issues for me with this one. Btw, I have had 3 enhancers take a dump over the years so they aren't a godsend either!

Glad you're having luck with the old version and the new, but with all due respect that's not what this is about. This is about those having problems. I think we all know theres a ton of good ones out there. And we also understand the risk of aftermarket parts such as MSD Enhancers and even the Epic. Considering the price of these units, I have a hard time paying for a new one with very little time in the market.... Not to mention the continued troubles with this one.

So, the question remains....is this issue being worked on still or is this just dead in the water since the HX3 is out? This boat is in my garage now so I can replace the seals again... And I'd like to know if I need to rip out the ebox and the epic.

 

[gtoking1972]

Not to bash ATP or EPIC but I d like to get an idea on how many people have or had faulty units causing the same issues I am describing? I d like to get a running tally so that if you are fighting the same issue you can follow this thread and hopefully get some answers or have an open discussion on what you did to correct the problem.

1. Gtoking1972/FlightRisk
2. OCD Solutions
3. MASSEY
4. waxhead

 

[shawn_NJ]

Not to bash ATP or EPIC but I d like to get an idea on how many people have or had faulty units causing the same issues I am describing? I d like to get a running tally so that if you are fighting the same issue you can follow this thread and hopefully get some answers or have an open discussion on what you did to correct the problem.

1. Gtoking1972/FlightRisk
2. OCD Solutions
3. MASSEY
4. waxhead

I have had same exact EPIC induced backfire/start problem on mine since building my ski. EVERYTHING electrical on my ski was BRAND NEW OEM. I threw a stocker CDI in and the problem went away instantly. I also know of a few other people with same issue who dont post on here.....