98 XP Limited won't start

[thrill2147]

I recently had my first problem with this machine, and was diagnosed that carbs needed to be rebuilt. So I had the carbs rebuilt but installed them myself. Also replaced all the fuel lines since they were original and reports out there that these lines tend to rot. Machine back in water and ran like a champ for probably 20 minutes then engine shut off and will not restart. I'm thinking maybe electrical problem, but not totally sure. Battery is new this year (and fully charged), fuel filter was fine and plugs have spark.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.

Scott

 

[powersportsjunkie]

does it turn over?? you said it has spark, so i'm assuming it cranks, when you replaced the fuel lines did you make sure to run the lines right? and put worm clamps on tight? fuel shut off--check to make sure it is alright as far as letting fuel go thru. also check to make sure the pulse hose is on tight(hose to the fuel pump side of carb that goes to the male nipple on the block. hard to get to but that is what draws your fuel into your carbs. ) make sure you plugs gap is at .0022". how old is the gas?? if more than 2-3 moz get rid of it and try new gas. if need be spray a SMALL-TINY amount of carb cleaner in the carbs and see if she picks up. dont do that alot, and dont use alot because it could score your cylinders. also, before you get her running make sure that your oil cable is re-attached in the correct manner or you might cause BAD problems in the future, just a reminder, not that it would really affect your start. let me know how it goes, if none of this helps then i know a few other things that might help too.

 

[powersportsjunkie]

oh, when you put on the key do you get your 2 standard beeps?

 

[thrill2147]

Thanks for all the advice and I tried all the items you mentioned and nothing was wrong. plugs were gapped correctly, all fuel lines were secure, and when the key is plugged in, its makes the two beeps, but the machine just won't start. More and more I thnk it might be some sort of electrical problem. Any more tips?

Scott

 

[timmyboy76]

you checked for spark? if no spark, try this....Unplug the black/red wire between the mpem and coil and see if it starts. If it does, you have an issue with a switch or the rev limiter in the mpem. If it doesn't, the stator or coil are the places to look. Also, if it does start with that unplugged, be prepared to kill with the choke since the stop and lanyard buttons are bypassed...:cheers:

 

[powersportsjunkie]

did you check for spark? let me know if you have it or not, hopefully it is just your switch like how he said, but let us know whats up with it, we will figure it out soon

 

[Nate Surveyor]

DETAILS, me frin, details.

You say, won't start. Whatzat mean? Won't turn over? Won't fire?

Does it crank over or not?

Fill us with info, and we will fill you with direction. The more details, the more likely we will give you good info back!

Deal?

Nate

 

[thrill2147]

The engine turns over (cranks), but not nearly enough to get it to start, and the 'pitch' of the engine doesn't change. To dumb it down for myself, it turns over at say half power (pitch) and never gets any higher.

The plugs have a spark, we checked that, and the plugs did not have moisture in em.

Sorry I'm not much more help, I know just enough about engines to be dangerous, but I appreciate any and all advice you guys are giving me. Its starting to get colder in MI so most likely I'll have all winter to hopefully fix the problem.

Any more ideas, keep em coming!
Scott

 

[Nate Surveyor]

ok so it is turning over too slow?

maybe poor bat voltage.

pull the bat & charge it. (DO NOT charge in the doo!)

You can also jump it with cables, and a big bat, so long as there is NO charge coming into it.

pull the spark arrestor coverer. (It looks like an air cleaner) dribble about 1/2 tbs premix down it, and see if it fires off.

Do this out in the yard, and don't catch it on fire!

Keep fire extinguisher handy.

If it fires off, then maybe all your troubles are the lack of good bat power to the unit.

Nate

 

[thrill2147]

Still no luck

Ok everyone, thanks for your input and patience. My job had me out of the country for the past couple of weeks so I couldn't work on the jetski. Anyway, took all your advice and I was able to get the machine to start, but had to keep the throttle about 1/2 of max to keep it running. After a couple of minutes, it shut down. It was running almost like it was one one cyclinder. So looked at the plugs again and one was wet, so changed that out with a new one (spaced per specs, .22 i think) and machine started up and ran fine on the water for maybe 5 minutes before the engine again shut off completely and would re-start, but only maybe 5 seconds tops.

so thats the latest.