1996 XP Hard Compression Start

[eriespider]

This XP has experienced a hard starting problem for a couplke of years now. I don't ride more than a couple times a year. I usually istall a new diehard battery every 2 or 3 years! The issue is that it turns over very hard on the first rotation. I just put a fully tricle charged brand new diehard in and pushed the starter button and it goes clunk. Push the botton again and it takes off cranking like a new battery should. This happens every time I start it. Most of the time it takes 2 pushes on the starter button to get it going. This makes me nervous way out on the lake! I also have to charge the battery if I don't ride it within a week or so between rides!

One history note is that I got water in it about 8 years ago and immediately pulled the plugs, jumped the battery with a truck , sprayed it out with some kind of water displacement and cranked her clean. Installed new plugs and ran it until hot. This was all in a 2 or 3 hour window! I always assumed that you get water out as quick as you can and never, never let it sit!

My inexperienced rookie thoughts, tell me that maybe the engine could be a little sticky, coroded maybe? Or could it be a compression issue with this hard start. I was thinking about mixing some oil with the gas for a rich mixture to lube everything up. Or maybe mixing some kind of other additive to the gas. If you think I am on the right track with this idea, what kind of product would you reccomend?

Thanks in advance, Rusty

 

[kustomkarl]

First never jump start you seadoo with a running vehicle...it will surge the electrical components and cause more problems.
Your problems is in the connections Check the wires at the battery and the ground going to the starter area. the connections should be clean and have a good connection. If the ground wire looks good it still might be a corroded connection in the connector end if it still gives you problems. Cut it off and replace with a new one. You should be good to go after that.

As far as water inside the engine...it will corrode everything real fast.


Karl

 

[eriespider]

Thanks for the response Karl. I will check and clean these connections when I get home tonight.

On this model, 1996 XP is there a water hose connection that would let me start it out of the lake?

Thanks in advance Rusty

 

[kustomkarl]

There might be one on the back by the jet pump...if not you could install one with a "t" connection on teh feed hose on the jet pump from inside and go to Home Depot to the garden center and buy the GREEN connector coupler... Should do the trick.

Karl