1996 XP Loss of power then shut off

[carydm]

I recently rebuilf my carbs with the OSD back to oem kits on my 96 XP. When I got it running and took it out on the water it cranked right up and had about 30 min of fun before it lost pretty much all throttle response. A couple of things to note is the water was fairly shallow at around 3-4 ft deep and I was going in a fairly tight circle trying to stir up some waves. I was able to idle back to the boat ramp and about 40 yds out it completely shut off. I kind of figured it was a fuel delivery issue since it ran perfect for around 30 min before it died.

Got it back home and in my frustration I made the mistake of trying to flush the ski out before I had it running and it locked up. Took the spark plugs off an turned it over with a towel over the holes and caught a majority of whatever it was spitting out. Put the spark plugs back in and with the flush kit OFF it is spitting water/liquid out of the exhaust and still wont fire.

Any ideas? How bad is it for the water to turn on before you have it cranked?

 

[GGuillot]

You're on a time crunch, you need to get it running and go back out and run it for a while. The theory is if any water got down in the crankshaft area running it will create enough heat to eventually evaporate the moisture. Otherwise if you can't go run it, won't start, etc., just me, like tonight, I'd quickly pull the engine, disassembly, and displace the moisture off the bearings of the crank and balance shaft.

Filling it with water on the hose is similar to sinking a ski, but it's just concentrated in the motor instead.

You're after trying to prevent rust forming on the bearings of the crankshaft...

 

[carydm]

Okay, once I get it running just let it run on the hose fo a few minutes? Is there anything wrong with using starte fluid to crank it?

 

[GGuillot]

Okay, once I get it running just let it run on the hose fo a few minutes? Is there anything wrong with using starte fluid to crank it?

I'd go ride it immediately, for like an hour.. Not recommended to use starter fluid..

 

[carydm]

Okay, well I wasn't able to crank it earlier when it died. Any tips on getting it to start? I put new spark plugs in just now.

 

[mikidymac]

You have to get all the water out first. Keep cranking until the majority is out, even then after a crank pull the plugs because the water will bridge the spark plug gap and no spark. Keep doing this until it finally fires and get it running.

 

[carydm]

okay, when turning it over to get all the water out do I leave the spark plugs in? Just keep turning it over until no more water comes out, then pull the plugs and repeat until it fires?

 

[mikidymac]

Plugs out to get the majority out. I have found that if you put your thumb over one hole at a time it will build enough pressure to pull some of the water out of the bottom end. Once it stops coming out then try with plugs in.

Also when your battery gets low don't use a booster pack or running vehicle to jump it. A car battery from a non-running car is fine.

 

[carydm]

I noticed when turning it over to get all of the water out there is a water/oil mixture coming out of the exhaust. I assume this is good, but I don't have the throttle pulled, so where is the oil coming from?

Also, I noticed the starter is getting pretty warm. Should I be worried about damaging anything by cranking it for 3-5 seconds and letting it sit for 15-20?

It's basically not spitting anything out except when I let off the start button then a litttle bit gushes out. This happens about every 3rd crank.

Thank you for all of the help.

 

[carydm]

So once the oil/water mixture stops coming out the exhaust I basically have to try and start it once, take off the sparkplugs wipe them down and reiterate?

 

[mikidymac]

You should be cranking with the spark plugs out until most of the water stops coming out of the plug holes.

Yes you need to let the starter rest for a few minutes to cool.

 

[carydm]

How do I know that water is coming out of the plug holes and that it isn't gas?

 

[mikidymac]

If it's liquid it's water. You aren't going to get that much gas and you should have the fuel selector to off anyways until you get the majority of the water out.

 

[mwat65]

I’d check for obstructions in the impellar also. Riding in shallow water and losing power suddenly.