What can this be? I cant turn the crankshaft..

[proftomda]

1993 GTS new owner, first lake run in two years

Hi all:

I was able to take this 1993 GTS, which I inherited a month ago, out on the lake for its first run in two years. Within the last month, I drained, cleaned the fuel system, performed compression check at 141/150 lbs, rebuilt carb, changed jet pump oil and spark plugs, cleaned and lubed everything else and installed fresh battery.

Unfortunately, the same problem seems to plague me as it did the previous operator. The ski started right up and idled nicely today out of the no wake area. When I opened it up, the ski jumped up on plane and ran great for about 5 minutes then stumbled going into a turn. Out of the turn, it seemed to only rev up and speed up to about 70% of what it previously was doing. At about the ten minute mark, the engine quit. When I hit the starter button, all I got was a "click". These are exact same symptoms that the previous operator had with this ski.

Any ideas? My first guess is overheating but no obnoxious smells or anything of that nature.

 

[proftomda]

I will also add obviously that I got a nice sidestroke workout swimming it and me back to shore! Please help!

 

[timmyboy76]

does it have same battery? Thinbk'n its the rectifier thats bad, and your system is runn'n off battery juice only.

 

[proftomda]

Latest update:

Checked battery volatage good at 12.8 volts. Removed spark plugs and attempted start again but once again just a "click" as the starter bendix engaged the ring gear but no rotation of engine. Tried to turn crank by hand but no joy.

 

[proftomda]

Hi:

1993 GTS, quit running after 10 minutes. Starter would not spin engine when trying to restart. The battery was brand new and freshly charged. Swam back to shore, pulled spark plugs and attempted restart, same thing, no rotation from starter. Reached down and attempted to turn crank by hand and could only turn about 1/2 inch and Im no lightweight. Previous owner reported exact same problem but when i bought the ski, crank seemed to spin freely. In fact, I started it about 20 times during the last month while performing maintenance.

It appears that when it gets warmed up, binding occurs somewhere in the engine or driveline. Im at a loss at this point. Any ideas?

 

[timmyboy76]

i'd pull the pump off and the nturn motor, see if still tuff, if not, bearings in the pump assy are bad

 

[kustomkarl]

It could be the Bendix of the starter. I would remove the starter and see if it works. Then if that isn't it it could be the Bendix inside the Mag cover. It might be easier then pulling the pump off the doo. I have seen it be either problem...the pump or the starter / bendix....as it jams the flywheel.

Karl

 

[kustomkarl]

I see you had 2 threads on the same subject so I merged them. After reading all information in both posts... Pull the jet pump.

Karl

 

[proftomda]

Karl:

Sorry for the double posts. Based on your input, Im going to shoot for removing the jet pump. Regarding starter bendix, the ski ran great in the water for 5 minutes under seemingly no abnormal load so I find it difficult that the starter is bad.