97 wave venture fuel issue. desperately need help!

[slt750]

hey everyone, I am in desperate need of help. I have a 1997 yamaha wave venture 760. The waverunner has ran perfectly every time I have used them. The last 2 years, they have been sitting on the trailer. I took the carbs off, and cleaned them out. Carb cleaner, compressed air, every tiny hole and passage. All gaskets look good, no rips or frayed. I emptied the fuel and oil tanks, and put in new fuel and oil. I installed a new fuel filter as well. I tested the pop-off and they popped at around 48-50.

When I press the starter button, the engine turns and i see the fuel filter has fuel running through it. The engine does not start. If i pour fuel down the carbs, the machine fires right up, and throttle is very responsive, and runs for a few seconds then dies. I blew through the fuel return line, and it is not clogged. Placed my finger over the pulse hose, and feel puffs of air pulsing. I checked the compression and I am getting 130 on bother cylinders. So I took the carbs off again, and when I took the square plate off of the fuel pump side, fuel pours out. When i take the other plate off to check the needle and jets, fuel pours out that side as well. So fuel is making it past the needle. I have taken the carbs off 3 times thinking I missed something, and I am totally out of ideas as to why it won't draw fuel.

[nmpeter]

check to be sure you do not have the return line and feed line switched

and by the way, you did remember to turn on the fuel valve, right?

[slt750]

I am pretty sure i have them hooked up correctly. I have the fuel supply line connected to the button port, and the return line connected to the top port.

I have tried all 3 positions on the fuel selector. 2 of them allow.me to blow air into the tank, and 1 blocks all air. For the life of me, i can't figure out why fuel is getting past the needle, but not coming out of the jets. The only thing between the needle and jets in that little clear anti-backflow flap which is in good condition. I am totally out of ideas.

[slt750]

One thing I noticed when I had the carbs apart was with the needle and float arm. When the needle and float arm are installed on the carb, if i press the float arm to lift the needle, i noticed that the float arm moves about 1/16" before it lifts the needle. Is that the way it is supposed to work?

[nmpeter]

I am pretty sure i have them hooked up correctly.

I kinda have doubts.

why not humor the old captain and swap them and dump a teaspoon of premix down the jugs to be sure?

[Slamnslash]

I would almost guarantee you have weak crank seals. I have a 98 WV 760 and a 98 GP760.

Both skis have had this same issue.
I replaced the GP760 seals early season last year and then the WV started to follow and I had to do it as well.

They both were near impossible to start.

Mikuni kits, pop off, compression.....

Get a gasket kit and just do it.