550 starts hard in water

Sausages

Sausages

Location
Dunnville,Ont
1990 550sx

Here's what I have done so far
changed stat coil
replaced voltage reg (battery stays changed)
checked motor for air leaks (passed)
added 44mm muk carb
has westcoast pipe (had a leak been fixed)
no vac leaks checked everything
compression is good
added msd sparkplug caps
cleaned starter brushes
I'm sure I'm missing a few other things
but basically I have did alot.
Runs great in water but after first wipeout, I go to start ski it starts hard in have to almost feather throttle to get it to start, after doing this a few times in water battery will start to drain because of the hard starting,but after it starts it runs fine,when I take out of the water it starts much faster with ease.

Any ideas would be greatly Appreciated .........
Thx
 
M

MisterCrash

A master at baiting
Location
New Hampshire
I've heard from many people that the old piston port motors are much more difficult to start than the reed motors regardless. I have three 550's and I can't get a single one to run right either, and I'm a kawasaki technitian. the motor turns over harder in the water because the water box gets a lot of water in it. I've heard the best mod you can do is put a newer SBN 44 carb on it and it makes a world of differance. I think it has something to do with the built in restriction. But I'm new at these things too i feel like i'm working on a spaceship. When i can get mine to start in the water it's because i give it full throttle. There's also a lot of other threads on these old pigs too that might help with your problem. Good luck!
 
orangefinger

orangefinger

Location
Reno,NV
550's

I have several JS 550's and they now all run great, check the carb if it is a 44mm BN dump it and get a SBN 44mm, easier to adjust + you can rejett etc.

If it is a 44mm BN ( you want to keep ) I noticed that most of them ran great after I replaced the needle and seat, seems like they all where worn out and dripping and therefor loading up the ski.If you crash in the Water the skis would only start with no throttle at all and very very long starting procedure.

Also make sure you are not getting too much water inside the hull and then into the carb ? , hoodseal tight ? Air hoses ?

C
 
SUPERTUNE

SUPERTUNE

Race Gas Rules
Location
Clearwater Fl.
Beware to all 440/550 kaw owners...The front crank seal are known to not last very long and when they leak cause hard starting. Also check pop off setting on carb and make sure they don't leak down and flood motor, piston port motors hate that! When you do need to replace it, upgrade the seal to the same one that is in the rear of crank (the one that next to bearing) It's a double lip seal and will work and last longer than the the original front seal (single lip).
 
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