1995 Seadoo Sportster

[FFCollins]

I just bought this from someone and I can not get it to start OR if it does start it will not stay on. I have checked the fuel filter for trash, but not sure what else to look for since this is my first one. Any suggestions on what my problem might be? I would appreciate any help! Thank you!

 

[ocod]

It can be any number of things.
To start is the gas even fresh??
Have you removed plugs to see if they are fouled? if not, they probably are and should be replaced first. Then try to see if it starts.
Do not keep engine on for long time w/o water on but you can't let the water run w/o engine either as you try to find fix.
If the engine does not crank check the obvious battery. Once checked follow path of fuel.
Find lines coming from fuel pump and disconnect them. Bump starter and check for gas flow.
Otherwise last link is carb. A rebuild would be next and or change fuel lines if they are grey?
Hope this helps.

 

[RFoster130]

Did you check to make sure it ran before you bought it? If so and it did run, are you sure you are starting it properly.

 

[seadooya]

check out the ignition key, "cheappc" had sam issue, and i found the wires at the connection behind the keyhole, to be loose.

 

[FFCollins]

I will check all of that. What happened was the second time i took it out it shut down on me on the way back to the dock. It shut down like it was starving for fuel. I checked to make sure there was fuel in the tank and there was. There is a fuel switch by the driver seat that is not there anymore. Would that be another issue because the fuel is low enough to be on reserve but there is no switch there anymore.

 

[FFCollins]

Ok i fixed the the first problem now another problem arised. The motor started great and then i put it in the water and tried to crank it and it wont turn over at all. Is there a safety thing that will keep it from cranking over? I know about the safety switch on the dash but is there any other safety stuff on the motor? It wants to turn over but something is locked down. All you here is the starter hitting and nothing turning. Any ideas i would like to know them. thanks.

 

[CaptSteve]

If all you are hearing is the solenoid clicking, then the battery is weak. Take the battery out and recharge it. DO NOT try and jumpstart it.

If the starter is spinning the engine and it won't catch, then something else is wrong.

If the starter is trying to spin the engine but the engine won't spin, then it may be seized or hyrolocked. Take out the spark plugs and make sure the engine spins.

 

[FFCollins]

I think it is hyrolocked. How do you fix that? It shouldn't be seized because it fired off before i backed it in the water. When i backed it in the water the motor was spinning over and i stopped and then tried again and that is when it stopped spinning over.

 

[CaptSteve]

I don't know how it would get hydrolocked if you just started it before putting it into the water. An engine gets hydrolocked when a liquid, oil, too much gas, or water, gets into the cylinders. Liquid is not compressable and stops the engine from spinning.

However, just take the spark plugs out and try to spin the engine with the plugs out. If the engine does not spin over with the plugs out, either the battery is weak or the engine is seized. If a liquid comes shooting out of the plug holes, then it may have been hydrolocked. If it is hydrolocked, you need to find the reason.

 

[FFCollins]

Ok i checked it for hydrolocked, no luck. You are right it is seized. Now i need to know what all i need to replace. If anybody has diagrams of the motor they can send me or anything that will help me get started on this that will be great.

 

[RFoster130]

Just out of curiosity, did the previous owner tell you it ran? How much did he scam ya for?

 

[FFCollins]

Yes he told me it ran and i went out in it twice, the first time we went out when we got it to the dock it wouldn't crank back up. The second time we went out it shut down on me. I paid $2,000 for it.

 

[RFoster130]

Something just doesnt add up to me. If it ran the first time but wouldnt restart, what changed to make it start the 2nd time? I dont think you have a seized motor. Sounds like you need someone slightly mechanically inclined to at least help you trouble shoot.

 

[FFCollins]

The only sound it is making is a loud clank sound when i push the button.

 

[parrothd]

Did you take the plugs out and see if the engine turns over by using your hands? Take the gray cover off at the rear of the engine and then turn the large round thing...

 

[Phildoo]

What did the plugs look like??....oily or dry looking?
Sounds like you might be the first casualty of the year...

 

[FFCollins]

Parrothd i will try that tomorrow. Phildoo i put new plugs in it and one was oily and the other was dry. It only started once for a couple of seconds with new plugs. If anybody else has anymore trouble shooting ideas i would like to know. Thanks.

 

[Phildoo]

Ahh... As Parrot said def try to turn over by hand and we can help you from there..

 

[FFCollins]

Ok i tried to turn the motor by hand and it turned maybe a inch. What does that mean for the motor?

 

[bt04f250]

i would now unbolt the drive shaft and see if it will start, either your motor or jet drive is locked up/jammed. if it starts after you unbolt the drive shaft it is something in the impeller, maybe a bad bearing. also when you unbolt the drive shaft if you can rotate it then its most likely the motor.

 

[cheappc]

FFCollins

LISTEN TO ME! I HAVE THE SAME BOAT AS YOU. Dont think it is hydrolocked or any of that stuff! What everybody here is telling you is correct. First of all, did you remove the spark plugs and try to turn it over (by trying to start it) without the spark plugs? If it does than thats good news.

ALSO, you came back and said the problem was fixed, but you never mentioned what was fixed and how you fixed it?

Remember, I used to think like you too, you always think its the worse possible thing, and guess what I found out? most of the time its some simple little fix, just like seadooya said, my starter wires behind the key hole were unplugged!! can you believe that?? how simple.

So back to your problem. I was having the same issue as you just recently, because I did not:

1. Make sure the battery is ok (listen to people here DO NOT JUMP START IT you can kill the MPEM (cpu) WHICH IS ALOT OF $$$$ to fix).
take the battery to autozone, or better yet just buy a new one, you just spent $2,000, so whats $50 - $100? nothing!

2. I listen to everybody here and I fogged my motor just to make sure it has oil in the internals (buy seadoo fogging oil, shoot in the spark plug holes for 15 seconds each hole, and turn over the engine without the spark plugs in it).

3. But the spark plugs back in after you make sure the battery is completely charged or new, after fogging your motor, then if that doesnt work.. come back here... let us know. lol

thats how I learned! Welcome by the way! lol

 

[phough5757]

I had the same Problem.

I found it to be My starters. I bought some cheap ones on e-bay-"wrong".
Get the good ones or rebuild the old ones. Don't forget to seal them with silicone.
If the previous owner ever swamped the engines the starter-s got wet.
Mine would spin the motor-s on the trailer but not in the water. The brushes in the
starters were stuck and would not make enough power to turn the pump in the water.
Sometimes they would work and sometimes not. I think that was heat.
I rebuilt the original Sea Doo starters and sealed them up tight. No problems after.
Good luck and let Us know what You find.

 

[phough5757]

Also start with easy stuff. Get under the boat and see if anything was sucked into the Pump!