First time out...need some help

[modiddy]

Ok guys..so I purchased a 1998 sportser 1800 over the weekend. The boat has two new engines (16 hours on each when I bought them...they were replaced b/c the boat was sitting for 5 years when the Owner I bought it from purchased it from his buddy)...seats all recovered...the boat over all I would rate as a 7/10 as far as cosemetic appearance goes...I got it for $5500. The guy fired up both engines and showed me that everything worked. I feel like I got a good deal.

Anyways..I took the boat out and here are the issues I had and I would really appreciate some help. This is my first experience with jet boats and boating in general.

So I put the boat in the water on Saturday and had issues getting the right engine started. Left one started no problem. I believe it was a weak battery b/c I charged it and it and the right one turned on no problem...

When I took the boat out everything seemed to be fine then the left engine started running weaker than the right engine (after about an hour of running the boat). So I docked the boat and decided to let it rest until Sunday.

When I took the boat out on Sunday, everything was going great. Both engines running real strong for about 30 - 45 mins, then out of no where, the right one starts losing RPMs and sounds like it's struggling. It would sound like the engine was revving...get loud then quiet then loud then quiet...then it would die...I would start it back up and give it a second...then same thing all over again...it would die...So I docked it...came back out about 5 hours later and went for another ride...again both engines running strong...then, about 10 mins into the ride, the right engine started doing the same thing...(any thoughts). I already checked and cleaned the spark plugs and fuel filters.

Also, the throttle on lever for the left engine is a little loose (it wont stay in place until after it's pushed forward more than 1/4 of the way)..any idea how to fix it?

Thanks Guys.

 

[dsw222]

Also, the throttle on lever for the left engine is a little loose (it wont stay in place until after it's pushed forward more than 1/4 of the way)..any idea how to fix it?

Thanks Guys.

I'm not sure about your engine problems (maybe check the impellers and wear rings?)... but my left throttle lever is also loose until about 1/4 of the way. I read somewhere that this is a safety feature so the boat turns around in circles instead of running away from you... but there also are throttle friction adjustments under the controls (remove the levers by unscrewing the 4 screws, then there are screws to adjust friction). the shop manual would help you out a lot

 

[RFoster130]

Well, I posted in your other thread about looking at it. Congrats on your purchase. If it has been sitting for 5 years. I would be concened about the fuel system. I would probably at least empty the tank and rebuild the carbs. they are probably all gummed up. Are the fuel lines gray? If so they all need swapped out too.

Life the shifter trim plate and you can tighten the screws to add more tension on the throttle. That is a common issue.

 

[Dr Honda]

I posted on the other thread too... so you bought it... cool.

Even if there are some issues... you got a good price... so don't worry.

First. Is the beeper working in the boat? When you hook up the key... do you get beeps telling you it's ready to start? If it's not working... that engine may be over heating. (bad)

If it is working... I'm going to say the carbs are gummed up.

Regardless... do not continue to run the boat. You don't want to kill that new engine.

I would drain the fuel, clean the filters, and clean the carbs on the bad engine. Also... verify that the oil system is pumping on that engine.


One last thing... since it was sitting previously... I would take the tail cone off the pump on the bad engine. The bearings in the pump could be trying to seize up. It's common when they sit, and the oil will drool out, in turn, letting the seal get cooked, and then water gets into the pump shaft.

 

[modiddy]

I posted on the other thread too... so you bought it... cool.

Even if there are some issues... you got a good price... so don't worry.

First. Is the beeper working in the boat? When you hook up the key... do you get beeps telling you it's ready to start? If it's not working... that engine may be over heating. (bad)

If it is working... I'm going to say the carbs are gummed up.

Regardless... do not continue to run the boat. You don't want to kill that new engine.

I would drain the fuel, clean the filters, and clean the carbs on the bad engine. Also... verify that the oil system is pumping on that engine.


One last thing... since it was sitting previously... I would take the tail cone off the pump on the bad engine. The bearings in the pump could be trying to seize up. It's common when they sit, and the oil will drool out, in turn, letting the seal get cooked, and then water gets into the pump shaft.

I have never heard any bepper when I insert the key. I just emailed the guy I bought it from asking him about that.

I also asked him when he last cleaned the carbs...I don't want to start taking things apart (especially since i have ZERO experience with PWCs) if he had them cleaned recently.

What is the tail cone exactly and how do you take it off?

Also, I have been reading some about wear rings, could that be a problem. Also what is RAVE?

Thanks for your help!

 

[modiddy]

Also, can someone please tell me where the intake grates are located? I was told something may have gotten sucked in. Do I need to pull the boat out of the water to check? Thanks!

 

[RFoster130]

The intake is on the bottom of the boat. It is a hole in the back, under where the motor is, you cant miss it. It is tough to mess with one when it is in the water. Very easy on the trailer. Having junk in there can cause issues, but when it is a pump issue, usually the engine will run fine and rev up and the pump is where the restriction or air induction is. Yours soundslike it is running rough and having fuel issues, so I dont think it is a wear ring or pump problem.

 

[modiddy]

Ok..so I pulled the boat out of the water and checked the intake grates and they were clean as a whistle..So far I have:

-checked and cleaned spark plugs (they were only two weeks old anyways)
-checked and cleaned fuel filters (I made sure they were dry before I reinstalled them)
-Intake grates were clean
-charged weak battery

Everybody i talk to seems to think it has to do with the fuel or fuel system/lines...so I need to have somebody come out to look at the boat.

Also, when I got under the boat to check the intake grates, i noticed on the right impellar, the rod was enclosed by a blue plastic looking sleeve...fully intact...but on the left impellar, that blue plastic sleeve was broken and cracked and half missing and the other half wouldn't budge..it was jammed...what are these sleeves and do I need to remove them?

 

[RFoster130]

I am almost positive its a fuel issue. Just do the stuff we recommended already. As fr as the driveshaft boots, they are no big deal. First time you suck something besides water into the intake they usually break. It wont hurt anything to be broken. Most people leave them off next time they pull the pump anyway. You can cut them off flush so just the end fits over the shaft.

Doc posted an awesome how to write up on changing your wear ring. You can follow that on pulling the pump off. It will also show you how to remove the tail cone and change the oil. Easy job you can do yourself.

 

[modiddy]

The fuel lines are definately not grey. They are clear and the color of the fuel coming through the lines. I just thought I would add that comment in there. Thanks.

 

[dschminkey]

I am having this EXACT same issue. 1998, not sure if mine is a GTX or not. I bought it from a family member and he never had the issue. I did start a thread on it and I am patiently waiting to hear back form a SeaDoo mechanic and will be checking in on a regular basis.

I do hear the beeps when my key is put on the post.

Fuel Lines are completely clear minus the color of the fuel.

I assume that since I just had a gasket kit put on which included new gaskets for the carbs that they would have check to see if they needed cleaned when they had it off already.

Any other suggestions?

 

[modiddy]

Ok so I did some exploratory research and someone please let me know if this may be the problem..

I turned on both engines and left them on idle and I was watching the fuel lines. One of the lines (not sure where it dispersses to) would carry about 8" of fuel then there would be a small air bubble...carry 8" of fuel then another small air bubble...this was repeating over and over. Could this be the problem? Air in the line...

Keep in mind I ran the boat for an hour or so on Saturday (tank was 3/4 full when I started) and had no issues...then ran it on Sunday for 45 or so mins before I started having the issue (tank was below 1/2 full) and around a 1/4 when I started having issues...could this just be a case of low fuel?? This may be a dumb thought, but maybe air got sucked into the line when i was making cuts in the water and the gas was moving around?

Another question...I was told it's MUCH better to put ethanol free fuel in the boat...I'm not sure what is in there now, but if I mix ethanol free with regular, I assume there will be no issue...is that correct? Thanks!

 

[modiddy]

So I filled the boat up to about 32 gallons ( i was limited with three 6 gallon containers haha)...and the boat ran GREAT for about 5 mins...then i started cutting a little and did a couple 180s...then it started AGAIN!

So I pulled into the dock cuz it was getting dark...decided to read the owner's manual while I watched TV...then I noticed it said to keep the bilge switch OFF...I didn't know the bilge was automatic so I always kept it on...I'm gonna test this when I get home today, but could that be the problem??

Another observation I made was the fuel pump (i think it's the fuel pump) has 4 hoses coming out of it...but one of the hoses is not connected to anything and is just there...I wouldn't find what it attaches to...it looked like everything was hooked up correctly...does anyone know what that's for?

 

[cheappc]

welcome to boating, seems everybody has a problem!