300/440/550 js550 problem HELP

[Troublemaker]

so a buddy of mine bought a 550.. worked great... all of a sudden it wont start.. hit the start button and 1 click.. thats it wont even turn over.. pulled the starter and it was very hard to get out like it was stuck.. finally got it out.. tested it out of the ski and it turns over.. put it back in, it rotates the motor about 1/4 turn then everything .. anyone have any ideas?

 

[Higgins-LCHC]

Check and see if the battery is good. It may have enough power to turn the starter out of the ski but not enough to turn the motor. Did the ski get water in it? (hydrolocked) You may have a bent rod. Pull the spark plugs and see if you can turn the motor by hand. If not it could be something bad. I had the same thing happen and it turned out the front piston skirt came apart and fell down into the case. Stopped everything from turning.
Higs

 

[Troublemaker]

thanks for the reply. yes you can turn the motor by hand and its fine, the battery is fine, even tried it with a charger hooked up and jumper cables

 

[FxOne]

what about the bendix? take the flywheel cover off and check everything in there.

 

[ger87410]

what about the bendix? take the flywheel cover off and check everything in there.

x2

And replace that starter. I'm on my 4th starter this year...... :shrug: