300/440/550 Help js440!!!

[frenchy0605]

Hey all, i am new here at X-h20 and have got a few questions, i took my js out today and it ran fine all day, when i brought it home i ran some fresh water through the system, while it was running it all of a sudden started to sputter then stopped and would not and still will not start again. i have since checked the spark, it is good, checked fuel it is good, the motor turns over just fine with the starter and it is not making any strange noises. the motor is real healthy and has never done anything like this before, i even tried using starting fluid everywhere you could safely put it and still nothing... Any one ever experience any similar problems? or know what the problem is? and if so how do i fix it?

 

[ger87410]

Checked the compression?

Other thing I can think of right now to check is the flywheel key.

 

[frenchy0605]

i have not checked the compression since the issue, but i checked it when i bought it (a few weeks ago) and it was near perfect. as for the flywheel key? is that the start and kill switch? or what is it? sorry. im a newb. lol

 

[jetski9010]

No the flywheel key is what holds the flywheel in place. If that breaks it will let the flywheel shift and through you timing all off. Are you sure you just didnt get water in the motor some how while running the hose? Are you plugs wet after you pull them? Try cleaning the plugs with starting fluid so that they are complety dry. Also turn your motor over while you plugs are out to try to dry out the cylinders. If you get water in there it can be a pain to get going again.

 

[ger87410]

lol

Yank the flywheel cover and the flywheel to expose the key. It's also called a keeper or woodruf key.

Here's a picture of A shaft with the key installed at the 11 o-clock position.

 

[frenchy0605]

true that, i bought new spark plugs and still nothing ill try pulling the plugs out and turning the motor for a little, i've already blasted everything i can with starting fluid, and it still wont even show me any signs of life. as for the water in the motor. i noticed my water box was leaking water when i had the hose on it and the hull was filling with water (luckily i installed a bilge pump) but i really do not think i got water in the engine.. how would i be able to tell if my flywheel key went bad?

 

[ger87410]

true that, i bought new spark plugs and still nothing ill try pulling the plugs out and turning the motor for a little, i've already blasted everything i can with starting fluid, and it still wont even show me any signs of life. as for the water in the motor. i noticed my water box was leaking water when i had the hose on it and the hull was filling with water (luckily i installed a bilge pump) but i really do not think i got water in the engine.. how would i be able to tell if my flywheel key went bad?

No other way other then pulling the flywheel as the flywheel completely covers the key.

 

[cubanpuerto]

bro! have you tried searching the forums for any similar sounding problems and possible resolutions to them? could be something that was just simply overlooked?!

 

[frenchy0605]

yeah dave. i have, but i cant seem to find anything... i have the flywheel cover off, but im not sure how to pull the flywheel.. is there anything special about it, there is a big bolt in the center with some soft metal pieces around it, do i just move those and unbolt the flywheel?

 

[ger87410]

Metal pieces??? Post pic of pieces. Sounds like trouble.

That big nut holds the flywheel on. Remove that nut then, using a flywheel puller, remove the flywheel. U cannot remove it without using a special tool.

 

[frenchy0605]

well i dont have a flywheeel puller, so i am wasting my time lol. but the bolt in the middle has two pieces of soft metal folded around it.. but it look like it is supposed to be there. (almost like soft metal washer) as for the camera.. i dont have one. my room mate borrowed it and never brought it back.. the flywheel its self seems to be in great shape though

does anyone that lives in the pompano beach area wanna come by and take a look!? ill buy beer! (its a long shot i know)

 

[ger87410]

Got a friend with automotive tools?

Flywheel pullers cost < $20 anyways. Probably worth the money to go get a universal if you're going to be the 1 working on your ski...

 

[loictahiti]

well i dont have a flywheeel puller, so i am wasting my time lol. but the bolt in the middle has two pieces of soft metal folded around it.. but it look like it is supposed to be there. (almost like soft metal washer) as for the camera.. i dont have one. my room mate borrowed it and never brought it back.. the flywheel its self seems to be in great shape though

does anyone that lives in the pompano beach area wanna come by and take a look!? ill buy beer! (its a long shot i know)

it's just a washer lock around the bolt , just open it with flat screw driver and hammer and unbolt, afterthat take out your flywheel with fkywheel pullers, you can find one in any automotive shop , like AUTOZONE, NAPA, or SEARS

 

[frenchy0605]

alright sounds like a plan, how will i be able to tell if the unit is damaged or not?

 

[loictahiti]

you have to check if woodroof key, is still in place, no dammaged on it, and if flywheel , no dammaged too where the key goes in.
before that, did you have good sparkles ?

 

[frenchy0605]

yeah the spark was perfect, i also replaced the spark plugs, do any of you guys think the problem is carb related? i havent gone through the carb, but i dont think it is because it was running perfect yesterday

 

[loictahiti]

it's for that I ask you if you have good spark. it's possible that is a carb trouble. when you try to start engine, what's happen ? after trying , check the spark plug color, and check if they are wet or dry, if they're dry, you have carb problem.
sorry about my bad english, I hope you understand what I mean

 

[frenchy0605]

the plugs have gas on them, but here is the thing even when i put starting fluid under the spark plugs and in the carb. but it still wont even fire, the plugs show spark though.

 

[loictahiti]

so ,now, you must check if the flywheel is in good place, and woodroof key is not break or dammaged, the flywheel can move a little and you have spark but won't start

 

[ger87410]

U need 3 things to make the engine run. Compression, fuel, and spark at the right time.

You have fuel getting to the cylinders. This kinda rules out carbs as an issue. Another way to test this is to dump a little gas down the carb opening.
You don't know your compression. You don't know that your flywheel key is not sheared.

Find your compression and pull your flywheel. Compression testers are cheap at harbor freight. If you're having problems getting the nut off, bring 1 piston to BDC and feed as much rope as you can into the spark plug hole. That rope will fill up the space so the piston can't move anymore.

Need to know your compression and need to make sure the flywheel key isn't jacked to help you further.