Boat problem.........help!

[Jmonk]

Today my husband and I went out in the boat for awhile. I had noticed that yesterday it just wasn't running right. It started out just fine, seemingly no problems. Later on it seemed the the left engine was somewhat sputtering....did not want to drive right. Right engine seems fine. It appears like it does when I would such up weeds without the cavitation. I also noticed that the speedometer stopped working. Assumed that this was an isolated situation.

Our first thought was spark plugs. Haven't changed them all season. We went into town and bought these but haven't had the chance to get back to the lake to put them in. Could it be spark plugs??? It appeared to be missing.....boat has been great all summer. It was driven pretty hard on friday tubing at my daughters 16th bday.

I so appreciate this site.....KustomKarl has been saved us a ton of money!! Thanks. Also appreciate anyone elses insight. I have a friend who is in the know about seadoo's and said that he is willing to stop over and take a look at it, but wanted to do what we could first.

Thanks Sooooo much for your help in advance.
jmonk

 

[kustomkarl]

Yes, replace the spark plugs. Should be NGK BR8ES gaped to .021 -.024"

Karl

 

[Jmonk]

we have always bought the preset spark plugs designated for our challenger. Never have set them?? Is that bad??

 

[kustomkarl]

Spark plugs aren't pre-set...they always need to gaped before installed.

Karl

 

[Jmonk]

wow........we never have, and it has worked great!! Thanks Karl

 

[kustomkarl]

Plugs are close to the correct gap, but need to be specific for each engine. You can get a plug gap tool at the counter at Auto Zone for like $.99 at the counter... cheap investment.

Karl

 

[Jmonk]

thanks Karl........appreciate it. Bad spark plugs can cause this kind of problem??

Oh and also.......do you think that the speedometer is an isolated situation, or could something stop the speedo from working??

 

[kustomkarl]

Yes, if a spark plug is fouled it will run rough and not have full performance. The spedo uses a small wheel at the rear of the seadoo. Be sure it spins freely. A little wd-40 on the wheel will make it spin smoothly too. If it does, you could check it that it works with a multi meter set to ohm resistance. There are 3 wires inside the hull from the spedo sender.2 wires are for the spedo and the other is for other models that have a temp guage. By testing 2 of the wires and spinning the wheel the resistance will change. I can't open the manual to give you the correct wire color. Just check a combination of 2 of the wires. It doesn't matter what the resistance is, just that it changes....it changes as the speed increases if you follow me. Now go to the spedo and check the 2 same wires at the plug connector and spin the wheel. If it works the same at the plug before the guage, the guage is bad. Chances are you just might have a short or something. If the guage is bad it is sealed and can't be repaired, just replaced.

Karl

 

[Jmonk]

Went out today and put those spark plugs in the boat......(properly gapped) and I think that took care of the problem. Actually we have never set the gap and I think it ran better. It was so windy on the lake that I wasn't out long. Those white caps and a jet boat are NOT fun.

Hopefully tonight it will calm down and we can go out and enjoy the last evening before the school year starts (Teachers favorite months ..june, july and august) now it is time to get back to work.

Thanks..........Karl for your help!

jmonk