2002 sportster lt

[Rich1983]

When it comes to testing wiring it takes me a while to get my head around it to work it all out and Ive one got a basic tester which i'm not sure how to use it properly with all the functions.
Rather than swap the coils and check the stators etc is it possible or easier to swap the electric plugs and sockets etc from the good engine to the other to see if it starts? Im thinking that would highlight if it is a MPEM fault.

 

[Waterluvr]

When it comes to testing wiring it takes me a while to get my head around it to work it all out and Ive one got a basic tester which i'm not sure how to use it properly with all the functions.
Rather than swap the coils and check the stators etc is it possible or easier to swap the electric plugs and sockets etc from the good engine to the other to see if it starts? Im thinking that would highlight if it is a MPEM fault.

Unfortunately that won't tell you if the ignition system charging coil is the culprit in your case. No worries though, let us help you get confident in using the ohm functions of your testing meter first then we can reference the procedure in any of the 717/720 manuals that are available to you here they all use the same testing procedure for components behind the flywheel.

Can you post a picture of your test meter? Let's just start there with ohm testing so we can help you to learn what an infinite reading looks like and what a reading of continuity looks like that specifies a measurement of resistance in a circuit.

This will all be relevant when you test the charging magneto and the ignition generating coils.

 

[Rich1983]

That would be great, I'll get some pictures uploaded when I get home from work.

 

[Rich1983]

Managed to get the engine started for a few seconds. I pulled the stator cover off and found it was condensation inside. Luckily I had a spare engine which was seized with the boat so I swapped the stators over and she fired into life. Didn't have the exhausts on completely so turned it off after a few seconds.
Hopefully if I can find time over the weekend i'm going to remove some cables and have a sort out in the engine bay so I can get everything working good so I can take the boat down the lake for a little blast and see how it runs.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Wow man, that's FANTASTIC! I bet you were dancing! Now make sure not to connect something with too much voltage to your battery while it's connected to the MPEM, this is the #1 way they become damaged.

If your boat has a cranking battery main switch always turn it off when trickle charging and never jump start from another boat. (B/C the MPEM is so hard to find)

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

If the engine hesitates b/c the fuel mixture is too lean, a 2-stroke engine can be damaged. So if this occurs in your case the carbs are probably in need of love and it's best to take care of it before continuing to run the engine.

Other things:
Fresh fuel, not stale. B/c 2-stroke engines may detonate if the fuel is stale and detonation is BAD for your health.
Correct oil if possible, or else you should not run it hard (wrong oil can't take heat) API-TC with low ash package is what you need.
Sufficient oil - Make sure the oil injection system is operating and set up correctly (there is a cable adjustment you must check to make sure the pump valve is correctly positioned)
You can mix oil with the fuel as a safety measure if you're unsure. 40:1 is sufficient ratio.

 

[Rich1983]

I had a huge grin on my face when it fired up, A load of relief

Got a huge list of things to do which include draining the old fuel from the tank and filling it with fresh stuff, Also need to sort the choke cables as their not in the best of condition. And iv'e also been looking at the manuals to see about testing the oil system as you've stated. Once all that is good ill try running the engines for a longer period then hopefully a water test.

I'll also do a compression test hopefully this weekend to assess the engine condition. I know the boat has been sat for well over a year so i'm hoping the crank seals and bearing will be ok. Is there any way to check them? Only thing I can think of is to see how much smoke there is once the engines are warm and been run for a little while.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Smoke is good on a 2-stroke, it's a lost-oil system. Worry if you don't see smoke (and you might not see much if any, it's not very much and hard to see). Too much oil fouls the plugs, no big deal and not enough = engine damage.

I'd rather see some smoke, but it's an environmental hazard of course.

If water was left inside the crankcase the bearings will rust, so hopefully that didn't happen.

You could check the impeller shaft oil, there's a small reservoir back there that may be empty or full of water. If no oil in there your ride will be short and expensive.

Take your wooden paddle (Murphy's Rule applies)

If outer crank seals are bad you won't be able to get a smooth idle or proper fuel mixture (in my experience), or the inner crank seals will leak oil and flood the crankcase inside while sitting for days or weeks the oil flows from the tank into your crankcase.

I'm heading to the lake now myself, hope it goes well for ya!

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

And feel free to give it a shot of oil straight into the carbs, this will provide much needed lube to what could be a dry engine and crankcase.

 

[Rich1983]

Have fun at the lake, its 10pm here so not for off bed time! I started the starboard engine and that was quite smoky which I was happy with and did seem to idle ok but was a bit slow revving up, but id put that to possibly being stood for a while and old fuel etc.

The jet pumps were all torn apart and serviced by the guy I bought the boat from so i'm not sure what condition they were in originally.

With the port engine which is the one thats been replaced it only ran for 5-10 seconds without an exhaust so didn't notice any smoke but once i've sorted the basics ill try again and see how it runs. Fingers crossed both engines will be fine after some tlc and ill be out on the lake very soon

I'll update everyone on the weekend at some point if I get time to do some work on the boat.

 

[Rich1983]

Managed to get a few hours work done on the boat today. Need to replace the steering cable and the port engine choke cable. Some quick questions, Is it just 1 cable for steering and 1 for the reverse gates? Im assuming as its a twin engine there must be a linkage system to turn the 2nd jet and a similar system for the reverse + neutral gates?
Has anyone changed their engine fume fan? I had a new one with the boat but I can't find any fixing points to bolt it in
Also wheres the cheapest place to buy cables from?

A few pic's of the boat when I had it. Once i've finished working on her ill take new pics to compare.