Starting Issues

[Wrenchhead2698]

1998 Sea Doo Challenger w/Single 800 Twin Rotax
- I work for a Sea Doo dealer
- Just rebuilt whole engine (crank, balancer, pistons, stator, starter)
- Was starting fine first couple days
- After a couple times out its getting harder and harder to start it requires full throttle and about 45-60 seconds of cranking before she will fire up. (Carbs Just Cleaned When Engine Was Out) Choke doesnt help niether does pumping throttle.
- Noticed that after cranking for awhile now I will get a single beep sometimes. As soon as I hear that single beep I pull the key and put it back in get a double and just tap the start button and it fires right up like theres no problem. Has done this 3 times to me. Other than that just a game of full throttle and cranking to get it running.
- Anybody seen this before? Any ideas?

 

[Dr Honda]

If you are a dealer tech... you should know what's wrong. (sorry, just bust'n your chops)

OK... sounds like classic "aftermarket carb parts" syndrome.

The aftermarket kit's have crap regulator diaphragms. They cause hard starting because of 2 reasons.

1) The bellows is too big, and it pushes very lightly on the needle arm, and allows the needle to leak.
2) The center pin is too long, and does the same thing

Basically, after you've been running... and you shut down... the fuel in the carb leaks down into the engine, and floods it. That's why you have to hold the throttle open. Pumping the throttle (if you carb has the acell pump) or pulling the choke will make the issue worse.

BUT... for giggles... check the compression. If the rings are going away, you will have the same problem.

Here's a pic I took for someone else. You can see the difference between the bellows on the OE 9red nipple) and the aftermarket diaphragms.

 

[Wrenchhead2698]

It's ok I figured I would get busted on. I am a service manager. My time around the Sea Doo brand is limited and I didn't want to bother the techs all day about it and figured I would give the forum a shot. I will check and see if these are OEM or aftermarket. But know that you do mention that when it starts it is loaded up and smoking alot at first. The odd thing is the beep, and once I pull the key and put it back it fires up instantly.