Ready to sink the POS (98 Sportster). All summer and now another issue...:(

[shawnmail]

Well those that have been following me will know the story. Started with cavitation - dealer replaced wear ring and prop ($1100). Test run to lake - no difference. Next came the carbon ring and an imported shaft from miami, plus another mechanic bill.. (shaft = 220, mechanics = 600). Brought it out last weekend and no DESS beep (http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?65908-At-the-lake-ready-to-test-new-shaft-no-dess-beep) - turns out the only fuse I didnt check is the MPEM one in the back. Another weekend gone - and another $40 at the dealer.

Today I take her out in the lake and do a loop - finally! Come back in and grab my kiddo (6) and take her out. Make it 1/2 way across the lake, and it starts bogging, losing power.. then dies. Can barely keep it idling after numerous restarts, popping and backfiring. Pull the one lead off and no change; although it does manage to shock me through the boot. Pull the other one off and the engine dies immediately.

Pull the plugs and do a swap around - see if the plug is fouled. Still same result - pull the front one, no change in running.. pull the rear and the boat quits. Ended up paddling to shore and walking the boat around for an hour.

At this point I am ready to sink the Fncker. Suggestions (on fixing or sinking?)

Thanks

Shawn

 

[rjcress]

When you say you "pull the front one" and "pull the rear one"... are you referring to pulling the spark plug wire's off of the engine while it was running?
I've never heard of anyone doing that. What was the purpose? You aren't suppose to crank these engines unless the plug wires are either on the spark plug or on the ground posts.

 

[shawnmail]

I first pulled the boots off the plugs because it didnt seem to be running on both - one at a time - the "front" one (closest to the front of the boat) made no difference. Popping the rear boot stalled the boat immediately. I then swapped the plugs and repeated the process (limited tools in the middle of the lake) of pulling the boots while it was running / backfiring - with the same result. . Going to try trimming the leads in a few minutes.

 

[rjcress]

I first pulled the boots off the plugs because it didnt seem to be running on both - one at a time - the "front" one (closest to the front of the boat) made no difference. Popping the rear boot stalled the boat immediately. I then swapped the plugs and repeated the process (limited tools in the middle of the lake) of pulling the boots while it was running / backfiring - with the same result. . Going to try trimming the leads in a few minutes.

I would be concerned about frying the VERY EXPENSIVE MPEM by pulling the boots while it is running. Why don't you swap in different plugs (you have spares, right?)?
Also, if it was running good, but suddenly started acting up after a few minutes, I wonder if you've got bad gas, something clogged or water in the gas.

Here is what my 96 challenger's manual says in troubleshooting under "Engine detination or pinging"
OTHER OBSERVATION POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY
Ignition • Timing too far advanced • Check / reset
• Spark plug heat range too high • Check / change to correct range
Engine temperature • Engine overheating • Check, refer to section 02-03 and 05-01 or to engine overheat
• Poor quality fuel • Use good quality fuel