300/440/550 1987 Kawasaki js 550 engine problems

[Pnutt]

i replaced the spark plug wires and plugs in my js 550 and it stopped running i noticed there is a large amount of oil in the crank case and coming into the cylinders.

I was also getting back presure through my carb so i took of the intake manifold to see if it was the reed valves and found that this model has no reed valves.

but i did see the oil/gas looking liquid . did not smell of gas bad but did have that oil look. compression is over 115 in both cylinders and i am getting fuel flow and crazy spark with the plugs laying out side the engine. but it wont run. I did not use a spark plug gauge to space the plugs i just eye balled them to the old ones .....


is the oil the problem or could it be that the plugs are just spaced wrong?

is there a known issue with the oil being so abundant ?

the engine is pre mixed 40 to 1 on 91 octane super premium pump gas no oil pump on the engine.

 

[screaming440]

how did you change the plug wires?

 

[D-Roc]

Really flooded with fuel or timing is off from a sheared key under the flywheel?

 

[Pnutt]

it was the spark plug spacing i pulled them again today and they where way to wide it sparked great but was not good enufe in the engine to ignite the fuel.
I have another 550 for parts and because the igniter is good on this one i used a splicer and added some more wire to it . i am going to get some msd plug boots and some retainer clips that hols the wires to the plug so they cant come off when i jump the 4 foot cabin cruiser wakes. lol go big or go home . I will post some pics of the jet punks club members skis soon.
thanks for the help but i figured it out. replaced with some iridium ngk plugs that make it scream.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

pull the flywheel off and check the flywheel key.. if it breaks it can still spark but not start because the timing is off...

 

[Pnutt]

ok will check it tommorow i did run it today after putting new plugs in and spacing them correctly and it ran like a champ for 10-15 min then i came in to talk and rest and it would not restart. i pulled the plugs and cleaned the fuel off the plugs and we turned the ski over and turned the engine over a few times and alot of fuel that had changed into a black color came out. we then turned it upright and it started again but would not rev up just sounded boogy and died even with the throttle full. it then died and would not start again.
i checked tyhat spark again and it seamed weak but i just dont understand how it runs flawless for 15 min then has thease issues.

 

[Pnutt]

if the shear key is broken on the flywheel would the starter even turn over the engine ? or are you saying it could have partualy broken and caused the flywheel to shift throwing off the timing?

 

[Pnutt]

i was also wondering if you could replace the igniter with one from a different model. the ones for the 750 sx are way cheaper. just wondering if the service manual would have the wire color and function so i could just use any coil i coul dget and then wire it to what i need. the stock one is 4 wires black , black with white ---- marks, tan, and red. the 750 one is a 2 wire setup with just black and red.

 

[D-Roc]

Sounds like a leaky needle and seat. The piston port is tricky and slow to start and extra fuel doesn't help either it seems. Fouled the plugs?

 

[Pnutt]

when it ran there was hard burnt oil on the plugs but near the threads and it darkened the plug end that goes inside the motor. after that they seam to always be wet when i pull them. I will pull the needles tomorow and check them. do you think it is the fuel adjustment needles or the one that sits on this thing

 

[Pnutt]

 

[Pnutt]

it defenitly made it spark less so fauled would be it

 

[fastgtfairlane]

if the shear key is broken on the flywheel would the starter even turn over the engine ? or are you saying it could have partualy broken and caused the flywheel to shift throwing off the timing?

yes this is possible... could also hear a knocking noise....sometimes... this happened to my ski the day i bought it haha... my welcome into the wonderful world of jetskis! it had spark and compression but wouldnt start... then it would start and run good then run like crap then not start at all....took it to a friend of a friend that works on jetskis and he put a squirt of fuel in each cylinder and when it didnt start after turning it over a few times, he knew exactly what it was...


if you take the flywheel off and the key is sheared, you will need to lap the surfaces on the crank and flywheel with some fine grit sand paper..get it really smooth then put it back together... the guy told me to use loctite when i put it back together to keep it from happening again...that was 2 years ago and ive ridden the crap out of my ski since ive had it

 

[D-Roc]

That's the one.

 

[Pnutt]

ok figured it out the rpm limiter valve on it is dumping gas back into my carb at a high rate and flooding it until the preasure from the gas line is gone . can i run this ported 550 with out it or is it a nessesity? is it service able ?

 

[Pnutt]

found one on ebay for 40 dollars but would like to know if it has to be replaced. and the local kawi shop techs are out to lunch ......

 

[N2 H2O]

Just run it without the rev limiter. All you need to do when you remove it is put a restrictor in the return line.

 

[Pnutt]

thanks every one for your help I forgot to check my parts hulls for this part and so i found one the other day in my old 550 sx hull and swapped it out. runnes great now. cant complain i paid 150$ for this 550 and it runs great.

 

[Pnutt]

also was gana ask another question about this piston ported 550. when i jump it about 4to 5 feet out of the water of a wave or wake some times it dies when i land hard and acts like it is flooded out for a min then runs great again. what causes this could it be water in the engine compartment or is it fuel build up in the bottom end drifting up and flooding it out?

 

[Pnutt]

i installed a bilige pump to help keep the water out of it but i was not thinking and subbed it then whent to jump it a few times and it started. was thinking it was the water but not sure.