300/440/550 Water Sitting in Engine

[nh603]

Hi guys,

I've been reading a lot on this forum and decided to finally make an account. I've been working on small engines for a few years now, but I just got into PWCs and bought my first project a couple weeks back. Its a '85 JS550, bought it in pieces with a freshly rebuilt top end and pretty much everything there. The only thing is the schmuck who sold it to me left it outside and uncovered. Not knowing that, I bought it to find that some rain got inside, yay! The guy screwed me. Took the head off and the pistons, rings, and jugs still look to be in fine shape. I drained most of the water out, and yes it was a little rusty, but I still got it to fire with some WD-40. I read all about getting water out of an engine, how to do it and what not, and that it needs to be out IMMEDIATELY, but that option is long gone.

Look I know that the bearings are probably toast, but my question is do you think it will last at all without rebuilding? Can i run it to burn up the rest of the water and ride until it decides to blow up? Anything I can run through there to extend the life even just by a little? Or is all hope lost and I should just try again with a new ski?


Thanks guys!

 

[TaintlessEd]

You're going to get a mixed response. Some people are going to say don't, some people are going to say run it.
The pros of running it: it runs
The cons : what happens when it does fail IF it fails.
If you run it you're rolling the dice. If it fails it could break something thats really expensive (if money isn't an option than I would say run it till it breaks).
If you decide to replace the crank let me know. I have a really nice clean one.


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[Mike W]

Chances are your crank bearings are toast. It may run for a while but it will most likely fail.

 

[smoofers]

Here's my take. It isn't a matter of if, but a matter of when the crank will fail (and it will fail). However, it could fail your first ride out or it could last a whole season. Like stated above, if you're willing to risk potentially destroying your motor cases and cylinder, what do you really have to lose? Blow it up and then drop a 650 or a 701 in it. If money IS an issue and you want to keep the 550 motor, then replace your crank before you attempt to run it.

 

[nh603]

Thanks for the input. I'm probably gonna run with it and see how far it takes me.

Any suggestions on something I can run through it to better my chances? Sea foam, or some sort of rust prevention maybe? Will increasing my gas/oil mix help at all?

 

[smoofers]

No additives or oil will really do anything. The issue is that the balls in your bearings are potentially pitted from rust. This will create extra friction will will cause excessive heat that will eventually kill the bearings.

 

[Js550FTW]

I usually go by if it isnt broken dont fix it, but in this scenario, i would replace the crank bearings and seals because its just a ticking time bomb waiting to blow and itll possibly cost you way more. Should be fine for a few easy smooth rides, but i highly recommend you replace those in the near future

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[TaintlessEd]

I have a good engine I could sell you. If you want the entire thing, just the bottom end, or just the crank let me know.


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