First on the water Problem--Yes I got Towed

[kevspyder]

So I had my family out on the boat today. Last night we spent about 4 hours out on the water, we had an amazing time no problems. Today we were out we hit this monster wave by this 50 foot yacht. All off a sudden the boat stops. It's still running fine and it will even go about 5 mph but that's about as fast as it will go. I turn the boat on and off about 15 times, put it in reverse a few time and it still is doing the same thing. I check the grate and there is no weeds. So finally the boat wont even start, it just turns over and that's it.

So a friendly boater pulls us in, I get the boat home and there is half of a plastic water bottle stuck inside the grate and is half stuck in the impeller. Is that something that would prevent the boat from going more than 5mph? I'm thinking because I cranked it so much the battery started to die so that's why it wouldn't get the boat going again.

 

[kustomkarl]

If the plastic bottle blocked the water from entering the jet pump, it would not be able to allow it to go any faster. The jet pump needs water to thrust out the back.

Secret formula...fuel, Compression and spark= running seadoo....

Karl

 

[kevspyder]

Well I got the bottle out, now it wont start, it just sits there and cranks. I even went home and charged the battery up. Any idea what might have caused it not to fire now?

 

[kustomkarl]

Is it getting spark? Be sure the lanyard is allow it to get spark, and it's getting fuel.

Karl

 

[kevspyder]

I'm not sure if it's getting fuel, it's not spuddering, it's just sitting there cranking and I'm not smelling gas. What's the best way to see if it's getting fuel? Then obviously I can tell if it's getting spark by pulling the plugs and checking.

 

[kustomkarl]

See if the spark plugs are wet or dry...uh dry means it's not getting fuel...Wet spark plugs, means it's getting fuel.

Karl

 

[kevspyder]

Pulled the Plugs today, they were defiantly wet but they look pretty old and it looks like there is build up on the ends. Thoughts?

 

[kustomkarl]

I'd replace the spark plugs and remove the spark plug caps. Cut off 1/4" off the end and reinstall the cap again. be sure the spark plugs are getting spark. Install the plugs and see if it fires up.

Karl

 

[kevspyder]

Put new plugs in today. These plugs are flat on the end, they don't have that hook. I put all the new ones in and pulled one. Had my wife crank on the starter and I did not see any spark. I'm assuming with the flat tip plugs the spark would go from the center to the outer ring? I checked another plug and no spark. So whats the next step?

 

[1970_mgb]

Put new plugs in today. These plugs are flat on the end, they don't have that hook. I put all the new ones in and pulled one. Had my wife crank on the starter and I did not see any spark. I'm assuming with the flat tip plugs the spark would go from the center to the outer ring? I checked another plug and no spark. So whats the next step?

The plug must be grounded to get spark. Was the body of the plug touching the head when you checked. Better method is to pull just the wire from the plug, insert a metal wire, or rod, scew driver etc. into the end where the plug would go and hold it 1/4" or less from the metal head or the grounding point. Just keep your hands well away from the metal parts.

BTW ,it is not good to crank the engine without a path to ground for the High voltage ignition wires. There are grounding points on the electronic engine management system box for this purpose

 

[kevspyder]

Gotcha, Thanks for the help. I'll try that.

 

[kevspyder]

So I tried pressing it up to a ground and no spark is happening. One thing that I have noticed is when it is cranking the speedo jumps up and down, and even pegs itself. Also there is a series of ticking from a little box right above what looking like a fuel filter on the right side of the engine as you're looking straight at it. The ticks happen when the key is turned on and right after I'm done cranking. Just something I never noticed before.

 

[rookie101]

That clicking should be your fuel pump, that noise is normal. Just to cover the basics first, make sure your safety lanyard is on all the way or you will have no spark, and check all the fuses. Remember you have a couple of fuse holders hanging out on the engine as well.

Aaron:cheers:

 

[lashk]

Did you clamp the main cooling hose to prevent water from entering the engine or tow it real slow? Could it possibly have water in the engine? just a thought.

 

[seadoodude1]

Once you figure out the spark problem, Crank it without the plugs in to get out the excess liquids, probably flooded. Also make sure you use the right kind and brand of spark plug.

 

[kevspyder]

The boat wouldn't turn over before we were towed. Towing was very very slow, I'd say under 5mph. Plugs are new

 

[rookie101]

How does the engine turn over? Does it turn really slow? If the voltage is dropping below about 9 volts on cranking the ECM shuts down and it wont start. Also all your cranking may have aggravated a bad connection. Be sure and go overy ever wire you can find coming from the battery and the ignition switch and see if you find anything loose, corroded, or dirty.

Aaron:cheers:

 

[kevspyder]

Got the problem all solved. A magnet on the Flywheel broke off and the stator kicked the bucket. So a few hundred later and I'm back on the water! Thanks for all the help guys!