95 sp - will not crank under load - fine without

[Tiki Paul]

Just picked up a 95 sp .
With the plugs removed she happily turns over.
Screw in the plugs or a compression tester in one hole with the other
open and she cranks about twice then a clicking comes from the electric box
and she stops cranking.

Wondered if this is something someone has experienced and if so you could
you tell me where I should start?

Thanks !

 

[Tiki Paul]

More info....

Sorry - that may have been a little vague and i probably should not have used the word " load "

When the start switch is pressed the motor turns freely.
This is without the spark plugs in the holes.

If the spark plugs are in the holes, or one hole , or if the pressure tester is in one hole and the other is open ,it will not turn over.
The leads are not connected.

The CDI clicks after cranking maybe twice and just quits cranking.

I changed the starter solenoid - no difference.

To make things more interesting it did crank a good 10 times twice allowing me to check compression with is 140 psi on each cylinder.

Now it's back to turning freely with open spark plug holes and 2 turns , then clicking with anything in the spark plug holes.

It does all of this without the leads attached to the plugs - so it's not a spark issue - it's a cranking issue.

Any thoughts anyone ????

 

[Bills86e]

Your center crank seals may have leaked some oil by, into the lower cases. This is
called being "oil Hydrolocked. The oil takes away space needed for the piston to come down. Simply crank with *plugs removed with a rag over holes, as when it
startes making its way to the piston tops, oil begins shooting out. Allow the starter to cool and not overheat, until it quits pukeing oil, then a couple teaspoons regular gas to start engine. In the water, it should burn the remaining oil away, smoke for
the first mile or two. Its when the engine CONTINUES to smoke, is the time to rebuild
the engine

You can remove the starter & battery and take to an auto parts store and get a LOAD test, to see if one or both have an issue.

Keep us Posted, & Good Luck! :cheers:

 

[Tiki Paul]

Thanks for your thoughts ! A little embarrassingly the problem was a simple one to fix. A little about the ski. It's a 1995 that is absolutely like new inside. the previous ( original ) owner performed meticulous maintenance. The only thing that's not like new is that there is just a little surface rust where the engine mount bolts attach. But just very very little.

When he sold it to me he told me that it would not crank and needed the electrical box replaced. So that's where my thought process was going !

I tried to crank it with a fully charged full sized marine battery via jumper cables ( no battery in ski ) and I got the same results he did. ( he had tried the same method as the battery was shot )

Then I remembered a while back not being able to start my 1100 zxi that way and had to run off the ski battery direct, so I charged up my spare and all is now good.

Basically it wasn't getting enough juice.

It puts out 140 psi in each cylinder and came with a properly set up rust free performance trailer with rear straps, title and spare lube, protective spray and a couple of flush kits.

All for $350. So yes, I am a very happy camper !