Standup does when I give it throttle.

[Mjoseph909]

I just bought a 1990 Kawasaki sx 550 and it starts then doesn’t hold idle and when I give it gas while it’s in the water it dies. Anybody know what might be wrong? My friend says when he tried to run it it looked like a fueling issue.

 

[Mike W]

I would start with rebuilding the carb.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

Do a leakdown test to check for leaky crankseals

 

[kevbo]

I just bought a 1990 Kawasaki sx 550 and it starts then doesn’t hold idle and when I give it gas while it’s in the water it dies. Anybody know what might be wrong? My friend says when he tried to run it it looked like a fueling issue.

A lot of parts are past their expiration date, the ski is over 30 years old!. It needs an overhaul.