SX/SXi/SXi Pro first ski, doesn't start, need help

[eeerieski]

Find the purchase thread here.
First off, when I got it the battery was reading 8-9 volts as best I could tell on my analog volt meter, jumped the battery to my truck and it cranks just fine but there is no hint of starting. I took a plug out and there was spark. I don't think I smell fuel so I think that might be the problem. what exactly could be the culprit, fuel line? clogged jets? what is the easiest way of verifying neither the jets or line are clogged without tearing apart everything on the intake side?

 

[turboracer]

Not be insulting but, maybe make sure the fuel selector is in the on position. You would not believe how many times I (I mean my friends ) have done that. Dump a little 40:1 premix down the carb. If it starts you need to go through the carb.

 

[ger87410]

Dump a little fuel down it's gullet.
That bypasses the carb.

 

[eeerieski]

I have my moments but none of those occured when I tried to start it. I also tried the reserve thinking the primary pickup may be clogged. When I get home I'll choke the carb with my hand to see if fuel is getting in, thanks to shifty in another thread.

 

[WaveDemon]

a ski needs spark, fuel, compression and proper timing to run. Eliminate one possible problem at a time.

 

[ger87410]

Ummmm, have you tried pouring a tiny bit of fuel in the carb intake?



While I've got this re-post going, let's ask something else. What's your compression?

 

[eeerieski]

to know compression, one would require a compression gauge, that is up there on things needed to purchase for my hole in the water into which money is poured.
I'll try the fuel in carb too.

 

[WaveDemon]

to know compression, one would require a compression gauge, that is up there on things needed to purchase for my hole in the water into which money is poured.
I'll try the fuel in carb too.

stick your thumb on the top of the spark plug hole. It should easily blow your thumb off of the hole. You'll at least know if you have compression.

 

[eeerieski]

Update:
Cleaned carb, one could say it was already clean....damn this ski inside is clean inside!
Jumped it again from my truck and squirted some premix into the carb and it fired right up without hesitation and purred like a kitten.
Anywho, I've still got a fuel issue because after the premix wore off it died, both times. Fuel pickups are not clogged and when I pulled the lines off of the carb some fuel dribbled out. Where else could the fuel system be clogged/not adjusted properly? If there is air in the lines will that cause it to not work? would a primer bulb maybe help? I might get one anyways....

 

[turboracer]

get it started again and leave the return line off of the carb. See if it is pumping fuel back to the tank. If no fuel, check pulse line from crankcase to carb first. Maybe has a hole or crack. Are you able to keep it running by feathering the throttle after it starts?

 

[ger87410]

Pull the carb and take the diaphragm off. I bet there's a bit of junk there. Look at the diaphragm and everything else to see if you need a rebuild kit. Clean the internal filter. It's a little round rubber or plastic thing that was black on mine and slides right out of the carb.

 

[eeerieski]

It's Alive!




I cleaned the carb thoroughly this time and re-adjusted the high/low screws as per the factory service manual. I also just generally fiddled with the fuel system (like trying to run the ski from a hose in dipped in a bottle of pre mix)

Anyways, I'm fairly certain it runs now, it ran longer than it did previously by squirting fuel in the carb. Since i didn't have it on the hose and it was getting late (loud) i couldn't run it too long for fear of overheating.
Ordered a block off plate for premix.

Need to fix the handlepole, get it registered, titled, get a battery, whistle, pfd, and extinguisher and I can attempt to ride my very own standup!
__________________

 

[Hirschfelt]

did it run before you purchased the ski? any water test rides?

 

[eeerieski]

No and No, I've only rode a standup for a total of 5 minutes rather unsuccessfully 8 years ago

 

[Mitchell]

youre gonna get hooked and lose all your money on these things. haha

 

[Stickly]

I have the same problem on cold starts, I think the diaphragm takes a minute or two to get a good suction going. I normally use a quick spray of starting fluid when it is being really stubborn, and go full choke with full throttle most of the time. This works for me, it took me a while to figure this out because I thought i was flooding it. Full choke full throttle is easier w/ 2 peeps, but can be done with one person. IMO starting fluid is way easy especially when your by yourself. Once its warm i normally dont have any problems

 

[turboracer]

Be carefull with starting fluid unless it is the kind with lube in it. You will wash oil from your bearings and cylinder walls. I always just use a little premix on difficult engines.

 

[eeerieski]

I second the premix, mixed like 20:1. Anyways I got this running a month ago but I have another project, x-2.