seems locked up

[fuelinaroundthewater]

while preparing 96 spx for summer, it turned over several times but did not start. then it just started to clunk w/ no further cranking at each attempt to start. after about 10 clunks it will attempt a brief crank but stop. Is the starter bad or the motor locking up? please help, I can do some mechanical work once trouble is found, but can not diagnose problems.

 

[roneagan@cfl.rr.com]

A few things to check:

1) Remove the plugs and attempt to turn the motor over, if it is Hydro-locked oil and crap will spray out all over.. Stand back and be sure you are outside!

2) Check the battery and be sure it's fully charged

3)Check the connections on the starter and ground to be sure they are not
corroded.. A bad connection will cause all kinds of problems..

 

[fuelinaroundthewater]

making progress

test 1 negative on fluid in cylinder, test 2 may be the problem. battery was on a winter desulfication charger and started cranking jet ski over fine at first, but must have lost power quickly. I have put back on charge and going to have tested. will post progress. thanks roneagan. this site rocks with info.

 

[kustomkarl]

Be sure to have the battery LOAD tested. With a bad cell it will not have the amps to crank over the seadoo to start it.

Karl

 

[fuelinaroundthewater]

next step

battery tested good to 400 cca at autozone. is this enough to crank over? next I'm going to pull the cables and starter. how do i check cables other than visual and cleaning connections? should i just replace since it's a 96,and where do i buy brushes for starter to rebuild. i can probably pull a rebuild off, i used to manage a autoparts store a longggg time ago and reset alternator clock positions. any tips and or suggestions would be great.

 

[fuelinaroundthewater]

not looking good

after wondering why the engine would not turn freely by hand, (w/o plugs in), puled flywheel cover and put socket on center nut. after some resistance, engine turned freely, but now only turns freely 1/2 turn of the flywheel, then hits something solid in both directions. both pistons are moving. any ideas on whats broke? how bad and difficult is a bottom end look. please help w/ any ideas or info on where to start. i am fairly mechanical but not knowledgeable in this area. i need some direction to start.

 

[fuelinaroundthewater]

engine trouble

after the engine became easy to turn by hand, I can turn it half a turn and then feel and hear a clunk in what sounds like the engine block, lower area. there is no noise coming from the pump area. at the beginning of this problem the starter was engaging and trying to turn the engine, but acted weak or was meeting resistance. tested battery and cleaned cable connections, took starter out and it engaged and turned nicely with battery jump.put all back together and pulled plugs and starter tried to turn over, but slowly with a faint grind(i know that doesn't sound good). then the starter went silent and just a click from solenoid in grey box. jumped solenoid and nothing. tested voltage at starter when button is pushed and get voltage. I think starter fried trying to turn tight engine. does any of this help. what do you think may be broke? even if its bad news.

 

[fuelinaroundthewater]

with the cover off I can see the starter is not engaged, also no battery is hooked up

 

[fuelinaroundthewater]

engine trouble

after the engine became easy to turn by hand, I can turn it half a turn and then feel and hear a clunk in what sounds like the engine block, lower area. there is no noise coming from the pump area. at the beginning of this problem the starter was engaging and trying to turn the engine, but acted weak or was meeting resistance. tested battery and cleaned cable connections, took starter out and it engaged and turned nicely with battery jump.put all back together and pulled plugs and starter tried to turn over, but slowly with a faint grind(i know that doesn't sound good). then the starter went silent and just a click from solenoid in grey box. jumped solenoid and nothing. tested voltage at starter when button is pushed and get voltage. I think starter fried trying to turn tight engine. does any of this help. what do you think may be broke? even if its bad news.

 

[popasodatastie]

sounds like you might have thrown a crankshaft baring.

 

[fuelinaroundthewater]

will the engine need pulled and can a layperson with a decent tool stock, but not many speciality tools be able to pull it off.

 

[fuelinaroundthewater]

would I just need a crank assembly or more. could that be installed by layman, or would a short block be worth putting in 96 ski

 

[roneagan@cfl.rr.com]

Have you checked the pump?? make sure nothing is jammed in it.. The old stlyle wear ring with the black plastic on the outer cover can de-laminate.. If you need a new motor and the hull is in good shape it's a lot cheaper than a new ski..I have 2-94's and a 95.. They are easy to maintain and, get parts for so far.. Best thing is they are paid for and we have a lot of fun with them...

 

[fuelinaroundthewater]

well, my work is cut out. I'm sure I'tll take me awile to pull and split as you call it, but please stay tuned to this thread because I'm sure I'll need further assistance. buy the way, will the problem be obvious or will I need to be a detective of sorts. are crank bearings like a car, in two pieces or like wheel bearings on a shaft?

 

[fuelinaroundthewater]

recheck

I have looked underneath and through the back end of pump area and see nothing visibly, could I be missing something? again I seem to hear and feel(kinda) the rotation stop in the block area. I'll have someone else turn while I look into pump. please keep tips and info coming, cause I'll check everything to keep from tearing down.

 

[SurfBeat]

I am experiencing the same problem on my 93 GTX.

I was on the River heading towards Parker Dam and the Damn Doo stopped.

When I depressed the starter button, all I got was a THUD sound.

Like you I checked the battery, shorted the solenoid, pulled the starter, then I thought, let me try to turn the PTO flywheel. It would not budge by hand.

There was no debris in the jet pump area.

That said, last night I posted a thread to ascertain whether or not a jet pump can cause the problems I am experiencing.

Follow my thread "PTO problems" as I will be following yours to remedy this problem.

 

[keikraik]

I am dealing with the same things guys, so we can't be the only ones. I was out in Lake Washington, been on her for a few hours and ran like a champ (sorry 97 GSI). Then all of the sudden......nothing, just reved down to zero and wouldn't start, making the same CHUNK noise. So I got it torn apart, checking the same things with no luck, pulled the top of the motor off and I can rotate the shaft, getting each piston to act proper for a few inches then nothing. I'm afraid to tear into the motor at this point before I know what to look for....

 

[SurfBeat]

Let me follow-up my posting to the thread.

I proceeded to the PTO and tried to turn it and discovered the damn PTO was frozen, i.e., would not turn.

Off went the heads to check the pistons: like new.

Pulled the shaft out of the jet pump: PTO remained frozen.

Out came the engine, crank shaft web was defective.

Ordered a rebuilt CS down in in CA for $250. The guys that rebuild them knew what they were doing.

This weekend, the engine goes back in the Doo.