Motor issues

[Bobbuff]

I recently purchased my first seadoo. Its a 1998 sportster 1800 and yesterday was my first time actually on the water. I have been doing some maitenance on it like replacing the steering cables and other things and I just wanted to test it out. At first my port side motor was a little hesitant to start but finally did. I got it out of the no wake zone and on to the river. At WOT it bogged down and acted like it wasnt gettin gany fuel. After a couple of figure eights a half throttle I headed back to the dock and pulled back on the throttle and my port side motor stalled. It was very hesitant to start again and when it finally did it rev'd really high and shut off. Did this a couple of times and I finally left it alone. One thing to also note is there seemed to be a very large amount of smoke coming out when I first started it. This boat has sat for atleast three years. Please advise. :banghead:

 

[howie099]

Go through the fule system & clean out the carbs. You will get some smoke starting up the boat for a few mins and it should clear up. My 1800 Sportster had junk in both of the internal fuel filters that just started to effect it at the end of the season last year. I rebuilt the one carb since it was apart and just did the other one this season. You can also install 2 Fram G2 filters inline also to help with that.

 

[Bobbuff]

Thanks for the responce. How difficult was it to rebuild the carbs. i am thinking of doing the same thing but Carbs have always been my worst fear lol Also what would be making it start and rev so high if the carb was clogged?????

 

[howie099]

Ask Dr. Honda to do it for you if you don't want to tackle it. They are really not that hard, just need a pop off tester that you can make for a few dollars. The rest is normal tools, cleaing, and replacing gaskets/rubbers. There are no floats and that like 4-stoke carbs have.

 

[Jeb911]

Is it staying at a high RPM constantly now? I was reading what happened in your other post.


I would visually inspect the throttle lever to make sure it is moving. In the other thread, it sounded like a cable popped... Maybe I have your thread confused with another. Either way, I would make sure the throttle lever (on the carb) responds when you move the throttle beside the steering wheel.

Thanks for the responce. How difficult was it to rebuild the carbs. i am thinking of doing the same thing but Carbs have always been my worst fear lol Also what would be making it start and rev so high if the carb was clogged?????

 

[Bobbuff]

Well it doesnt feel as if it popped I still have pressure when moving it but I will check. I was thinking it migh be in a bind or something but I am not really sure yet.

 

[Jeb911]

Do the RPM's change any when you move the throttle?

Well it doesnt feel as if it popped I still have pressure when moving it but I will check. I was thinking it migh be in a bind or something but I am not really sure yet.

 

[Bobbuff]

It wont stay running long enough for me to move the throttle. I literally start at a high rev and shuts off withing seconds. This is very suprising because intially that was the motor I didnt expect to have any problems out of

 

[howie099]

you can remove the air arrestor assembley and look to see if the carb is stuck open or not.

 

[Jeb911]

Then the throttle is stuck open.

It wont stay running long enough for me to move the throttle. I literally start at a high rev and shuts off withing seconds. This is very suprising because intially that was the motor I didnt expect to have any problems out of

 

[Bobbuff]

Thanks guys I am hoping that is all that it is. Thanks for the fast repsonse. I will remove the air box and check to see if the throttle is stuck.

 

[Jeb911]

Based on the post below, it could be as simple as a cable problem. As you started driving, the cable nuts might have worked their way loose.

Well to be honest it is not in perfect condition. The guy I bought it from bought it in florida and brought it back to WV. He stated that he got it cheap because the motors were locked up. He was able to get them free and running but never did anything else. I have already replaced the steering calbe, choke calbes and a couple other minor things. I finally got it running and idling last night so I decided to drop it in and make sure it was going to pump water and not over heat. It worked beautifully for about five minutes and a couple figure eights then I lost a motor. I couldnt get it up to WOT and when I throttled down the port motor died and when restarted it idled high and then shut off. No clue what to do next. I am gonna replace the fuel and oil lines and clean the carb again. Any ideas on how to help. I will post pictures when I get it done I have the interior out and the decals half off so it looks like crap. But for 900 i think it was a steal the trailer alone is worth that.

Thanks guys I am hoping that is all that it is. Thanks for the fast repsonse. I will remove the air box and check to see if the throttle is stuck.

 

[Bobbuff]

Okay got back on my boat when I got home and fired up the right motor and tried to give it some throttle with no response what so ever so I am thinking JEB911 is right about my cable popping but unfortunately I cant check it because now my back hatch is stuck. Also I fired up the port side motor and still having problems with it bogging down as well am I correct in thinking this? Hopefully I can get this worked out by sunday as I am excited to get it back on the river.

 

[Jeb911]

Good luck!

Okay got back on my boat when I got home and fired up the right motor and tried to give it some throttle with no response what so ever so I am thinking JEB911 is right about my cable popping but unfortunately I cant check it because now my back hatch is stuck. Also I fired up the port side motor and still having problems with it bogging down as well am I correct in thinking this? Hopefully I can get this worked out by sunday as I am excited to get it back on the river.