spark plug prob or it's me

[patrick258]

i have a gtx 800 that i bought 2 weeks ago and i'm having a hard time to start the engine when is cold with choke or no choke and my spark plug die (no fire) have to put new one.When it's hot it start like a new one

it's my first seadoo so dont realy know it

thank

Pat

 

[- BiRkS_]

Welcome to the forums!

When the old plugs stop firing, are they wet looking? do they smell of fuel? As soon as you put new plugs in, does it start right up?

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Probably leaking crankshaft oil seals.

Here are some pics of spark plugs, for diagnostic purposes:
http://www.seadoosource.com/sparkpluginfo.html

 

[patrick258]

hey! thanks for those answers, the spark plug look dry and clean like the first picture sportster post. the last time i ride it i play all the after noon start stop the engine everything was fine then i stop for dinner and want to do a last ride with the kids before the night and he never start,the new batterie start to get to low and now it to cold outside.

and sorry for my english i'm a french quebecois. I try to find something in those french forums and no answer maybe nobody have that sort of problem

anyway thanks again

Pat

 

[- BiRkS_]

Unscrew the spark plug boots and trim the wires back 1/4'' then re-thread them back on, and see if that helps.

 

[blknslvr]

If the plugs are dry, are you positive there not firing? i had an issue after it would sit for a few weeks starting it was a pain. But once started it would start and stop all day long and i found a vent for the fuel tank was installed incorrectly. Next time you try to start it and your having a hard time open the fuel cap and try again To see if that helps

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

hey! thanks for those answers, the spark plug look dry and clean like the first picture sportster post. the last time i ride it i play all the after noon start stop the engine everything was fine then i stop for dinner and want to do a last ride with the kids before the night and he never start,the new batterie start to get to low and now it to cold outside.

and sorry for my english i'm a french quebecois. I try to find something in those french forums and no answer maybe nobody have that sort of problem

anyway thanks again

Pat

Hi,
I have to guess your engine is flooding with too much fuel if the plugs have a chocolate color to them after riding all day and they are not black after riding! Please try to open the throttle 1/2 of full during cranking/starting to see if the engine needs more air to dilute excess fuel.

Your fuel tank may be too pressurized and cause engine fuel flooding if the fuel tank pressure relief valve is not working properly(has some fuel varnish/gum inside!) to release fuel vapor pressure. After riding, you can unscrew the fuel tank cap and see if pressure is released, turn off fuel valve before stopping engine and unscrew fuel cap to relieve pressure from fuel tank.

You said the spark plug won't fire after the engine cools, this is a very strange problem description if the spark plug ceramic insulator has a chocolate brown color!

 

[patrick258]

thanks again, i'll try this weekend to start it but out of the water and i'll check everything you said, do you think i have to pull the choke on full or half ? he's in the garage.

 

[- BiRkS_]

When starting cold, pull the choke fully out, and i like to give it full throttle (sucks more fuel). It should fire up in about 5 seconds cranking. no more than 10 secs. As soon as it starts to fire, let go of the choke and give it little revs (1/8-1/4 throttle). If it starts to die, pull the choke out briefly. If it doesn't start after 10 seconds of cranking, wait 30 seconds, then hold the throttle wide open and no choke. Crank again and it should cough and sputter to life.

However, with your situation, it may be wise to give it about half throttle and crank for 5 seconds first. If it coughs, or sputters, then it confirms a flooding issue while sitting. If nothing, pull the choke. If you smell fuel, then you are super flooded, might as well take the plugs out and put some old ones in (I always keep an old spare in my tool kit, you never know when you need them)

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I wonder if your choke plates maybe aren't connected, the choke cable linkage may not be working?

Maybe if you can remove airbox cover on carburetors and watch to see if choke butterflies will close completely when you pull choke knob?

 

[patrick258]

for sportster,
when i pull the choke he don't stay there he's going to the close position is it normal ?

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

for sportster,
when i pull the choke he don't stay there he's going to the close position is it normal ?

Yes, it's normal! To engage choke you must pull and hold choke knob to out position then release knob and it's back to off by spring action! Pull while starting cold engine then release once engine makes fire.

Otherwise, many people will forget to push back to off position, so I like this feature.

If you pull it and hold, the both carburetor choke plates at carburetors air entrance should be completely closed. Release knob, and they both open completely, 90 degrees full open.